Argentine striker Sebastian Monesterolo was the shining beacon for Valletta yesterday with a well taken hat-trick, showing that he is a lethal predator.
His first goal after half an hour gave Valletta a slender but deserved lead by half-time and when Valletta looked to lose their composure after Hibernians’ equaliser on the hour, Monesterolo delivered the killing blow with two clinical strikes in quick succession to win the match for Valletta.
Injury and suspensions forced coach Paul Zammit to field a makeshift defence, bereft of regulars Cassar, Nisevic and Grima, with Dean playing as central defender, flanked by Pace.
Hibernians also had defender Spiteri suspended.
An entertaining half hour spell produced the best of a first half, played high on energy but lacking the expected cohesion from two sides, evenly balanced.
The composed touches and commitment of both side’s youngsters on show, such as Hibernians’ Pearson and Agius as well as Valletta’s Bezzina and Zarb, was a pleasure to watch
Valletta might have had slightly the better of a tight half as they went in one goal up at half-time.
The only goal was scored past the half hour when Agius whipped a teasing free-kick from the right and Sebastian Monesterolo beat keeper Muscat with a firm header.
Earlier, Valletta were unlucky when Fenech’s diving header was held out by the post and in the initial stages, Hibernians’ keeper Muscat produced a smart save on an Agius drive.
Hibernians also had their fair share. On 17 minutes Scerri ran inside the Valletta area on Cohen’s through pass, but when faced by keeper Sullivan fell awkwardly on his shoulder and had to leave the pitch, with the referee deeming there was no contact.
On 24 minutes Failla’s free-kick fell to the unmarked Cohen, whose diagonal shot was blocked by Sullivan.
For long periods, the Valletta rearguard had to deal with Cohen’s mazy dribbles on both flanks but there was no way Hibernians could perforate Valletta’s blanket cover.
Cohen’s free-kick upon the restart was blocked by Sullivan and Pullicino sent a sailing shot just off target as Hibernians tried to increase their efforts in the second half.
Gilbert Agius almost sealed the issue on 52 minutes when he slalomed his way inside the Hibernians area on the left and fired a cracking shot which keeper Muscat did well to repel.
The Paolites’ insistence paid dividends on the hour. Essien Mbong restored equilibrium with a looping left-foot shot from the edge of the area, out of the outstretched Sullivan’s reach.
The goal sapped away the wind from Valletta’s sails as they were to absorb their opponents’ pressure. A Camilleri inswinging free-kick was handled by Cohen before hitting the underside of the bar and crossing the line.
On 70 minutes, Pullicino’s header on Cohen’s cross was saved by the grounded Sullivan and claims by Hibernians for a penalty, after Bondin apparently handled Pullicino’s pass in the process, were turned down by the referee.
And when Hibernians looked to have taken the upper hand and Valletta running out of steam, Sebastian Monesterolo emerged as their hero and match winner.
Two goals within two minutes, put the Citizens back in the driving seat, halting the Paolites’ comeback.
The Valletta striker first beat keeper Muscat with a low shot from the edge of the area and then from an acute angle on the left, after twisting and turning past his opponents.
Valletta’s win was partially marred five minutes from time when their skipper Agius was sent off for arguing too long with the referee, together with Aaron Xuereb over an earlier booking for a foul on the same Hibernians’ defender, and thus misses the coming fixture against Birkirkara.
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Hibernians: M. Muscat, P. Pullicino, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, E. Mbong, A. Cohen, T. Scerri ( E. Agius), J. Pearson (R. Baldacchino), H. Doda, C. Failla (J. Vella), D. Camilleri
Valletta: S. Sullivan, J. Bondin, C. Dean, S. Pace (R. Forace), S. Bezzina, I. Zammit, K. Fenech, C. Mattocks, D. Zarb (C. Camilleri), G. Agius, S. Monesterolo
Referee: A. Zammit Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, K. Borg 4th official: C. Pisani
Yellow cards: K. Fenech, A. Cohen, G. Agius
Red cards: G. Agius, A. Xuereb
Player of the match: S. Monesterolo (Valletta)
TMI top three: 1. S. Monesterolo 2. S. Sullivan 3. A. Cohen