The Paolites were a totally different outfit after last week’s dismal display against Pieta H. They enjoyed the lion’s share of the exchanges during both periods. San Gwann tried to act on fast breakaways.

San Gwann were awarded a penalty after six minutes when Karl Farrugia tripped Steve Gatt in the area but Luke Sciberras drove wide from the spot.

In a Hibs reaction, a cross by Jonathan Xerri was cleared away by a defender. From a freekick by Sammy Piscopo, Timothy Fleri Soler headed over San Gwann’s bar and San Gwann keeper Nicholas Vella saved on Bugeja after a Piscopo pass.

On 26 minutes Hibs forged ahead. From a Clayton Zammit flagkick, Julian Tonna rose above friend and foe to head beautifully in. Vella then foiled Xerri with a timely sortie after an Osbert Ellul through ball, and on 33 minutes the woodwork denied Hibs a second goal when a shot by Ellul hit the base of the upright and the ball was cleared.

Hibs resumed their pressure after the restart. And they doubled on 52 minutes. Zammit was put through in the area, square passed to Xerri who netted with a low shot.

San Gwann reduced the arrears on 62 minutes through Armand Chetcuti after a Sciberras cross.

Referee: Mohammed Khalil

Player of the match: Jonathan Xerri (Paola H)

Lija/Iklin 3

Mqabba 3

A very keen and action-packed game with the sharing of the spoils being a fair result.

Gudja drew first blood on four minutes: Robert Portelli scored with a rising shot past Lija-Iklin keeper Franklin Muscat.

Lija-Iklin equalised on 11 minutes. From a Roderick Grech flagkick, an Attard shot was partially saved by Gatt and the same player hit home the rebound.

The same player doubled five minutes later after being put through by Daniel Gauci. On 23 minutes Robert Portelli equalised for Gudja.

The first action after the restart came from Gudja when Muscat had to palm away a flagkick by Portelli. Then substitute Sean Francalanza put Attard through but Malcolm Zammit foiled him with a timely clearance.

Terence Vella won a loose ball in Lija-Iklin’s hall, dribbled his way past two defenders and, with only Muscat to beat, drove over the bar.

On 71 minutes Lija-Iklin regained their lead. From a flagkick by Roderick Grech, Clive Camilleri headed beautifully in past Gatt.

Lija-Iklin were reduced to 10 men on 72 minutes as substitute keeper Andrew Agius was shown the red card for uttering obscene language towards an opponent.

Gudja managed to earn a point in the first minute of added time when Terence Vella put Yourgen Galea through who shot past Clive Kinmont who took charge of goal after Agius’s expulsion.

Referee: Jurgen Spiteri

Player of the match: Terence Vella (Gudja)