Valletta: S. Sullivan, K. Cassar (K. Magro), S. Pace, B. Nisevic, S. Bezzina, M. Grima, M. Barbara, K. Fenech, R. Forace, C. Camilleri (J. Francica), M. Galea

Hibernians: M. Muscat, P. Pullicino, K. Spiteri (Q. Refalo), A. Pulis, A. Xuereb (J. Vella), E. Mbong (C. Azzopardi), A. Cohen, R. Baldacchino, D. Camilleri, E. Agius, H. Doda

Referee: C. Pisani Asst. refs: P. Agius, J. Camilleri 4th official: L. Sammut

Scorers: M. Barbara, C. Camilleri

Yellow cards: P. Pullicino, S. Pace, E. Mbong

Player of the match: M. Galea (Valletta)

TMI top three: 1. S. Pace 2. M. Galea 3. D. Camilleri

A depleted Valletta side beat an understrength Hibernians on their own merits. Showing more inventive throughout, they had the better chances, converting a goal in each half to clinch a deserved win that lifts them into sixth place in the standings, on equal points with Pieta Hotspurs.

Valletta’s long sick list deprived them of regulars Agius, Zammit, Bondin, Debono and Zarb. They crowded their midfield to good effect and were composed at the back, well marshalled by Pace and Nisevic and inspired by Sullivan’s reeling saves, especially in the late stages.

They played more as a team while Hibernians looked only a bunch of individuals.

Hibernians were still reeling from the effects of last Monday’s gruelling encounter with Birkirkara. They also had a patched-up look with Mintoff, Zahra, Failla and Scerri all missing.

Yesterday they looked only a pale shadow of the team which won against Birkirkara as they were outfought in virtually every area. Their reliance on Cohen as their only source of creativity up front, always looked destined to end in frustration. This is perhaps proof of the Paolites’ small players’ squad, which leaves them short of options. Following this defeat, their first after five matches, they failed to keep up the pace with leaders Sliema Wanderers and now lie six points adrift.

With both sides giving starts to some of their youngsters, both teams struggled to build anything in a tepid first quarter hour but Valletta could have gone in front when on a Camilleri pass, Galea went past Pulis with alarming ease but keeper Muscat rushed out to block.

Galea forced another fine save from Muscat on 20 minutes and past the half hour Valletta created the best chance against Hibernians’ struggling backline. Camilleri was caught outnumbered against two Valletta players. Barbara played the ball square to the unmarked Galea who shot straight on Muscat and the chance wet to waste.

Valletta atoned for that on 36 minutes. Mark Barbara’s corner from the left was pushed in by keeper Muscat when challenged by several players.

Hibernians were anaemic going forward as Doda was starved of service.

However in the closing stages of the first half they created two good scoring opportunities. Camilleri played a short free-kick low to Pullicino who crossed from the right but Agius’ headed effort was blocked on the line by a Valletta defender.

Then Doda found space to shoot low towards goal but keeper Sullivan saved well.

Valletta were forced to substitute defender Cassar soon after the restart when suffering a head wound after colliding with Baldacchino.

Hibernians tried to pull themselves into the match but to little effect. When Doda played the ball wide to Cohen, Sullivan was up to task saving the latter’s fierce drive.

They collapsed to concede Valletta’s second goal towards the hour. Galea galloped down the right flank and sent a low cross for the advancing Chris Camilleri to steer past Muscat despite being bundled by Spiteri.

Hibernians’ confidence drained and after both Cohen and Pulis failed to connect to a Camilleri free-kick, coach Gatt effected a double substitution, introducing Vella and Refalo.

But Valletta remained firmly in the driving seat and five minutes from time a Grima weighted free-kick was tipped into a corner by Muscat to save his side from further derision.

And with their keeper Sullivan ably handling everything Hibernians could throw at him, including a Camilleri drilling free-kick, Valletta could preserve their lead till the end.