Qormi 0

Hibernians 2

Hibernains continued marching on when they defeated Qormi by two clear goals both scored in the second half to move within one point of league leaders Valletta albeit with a game more.

After their 5-0 drubbing of Hamrun Spartans last week, Hibernains were expecting nothing less than the three points against Qormi who for their part lost against Floriana albeit rather closely. The Paolites were practically unchanged from last week with their in-form strikers Peter Anizoba and Luis Edison stratingthe match.

Hibernians started strongly as expected and almost took the lead after eight minutes when a free kick by Failla was intercepted by Vandelanoitte was cleared off the line in extremis.

On 31 minutes, Hibernians again came close when a corner by Cohen found Vandelanoitte who headed down to Kristensen who saw his shot saved by Sultana.

Qormi created their own chance on 41 minutes when Bello Osagie passed to Luke Sciberras who saw his shot end up just wide.

Hibernians took the lead at the start of the second half when Koaudi inadvertently gave the ball to Cohen who gleefully slipped the ball home. On the hour mark Failla’s shot ended up just wide as Hibernians began to make the most out of the spaces in the Qormi defence.

Qormi missed a glorious chance on 63 minutes when Chetcuti headed almost certainly from point blank range with Soares clearing off the line. Hibs could have made it two on 67 minutes after Failla crossed to Anizoba but the latter’s shot ended up wide.

Hibernians made sure of the points on 85 minutes when new entrant Dias crossed to Bello Osagie who headed home from close range. Dias could have made it three a couple of minutes later but his low shot grazed the post.

Qormi: S. Sultana, R. Sammut, M. Bartolo, J. Farrugia, L. Sciberras (Siguino), F. Mirarchi, J. Bondin, K. Thackray, T. Caruana, A. Bello-Osagie, V. Kouadio Adioumani (Chetcuti J)

Hibernians: M Muscat, E Herrera (S.Pisani), J. Pearson, J. Vandelanoitte, R Soares, B. Kristensen, J. Di Lima Sequiera, A. Cohen, C. Failla, P. Anizoba, L. Edison (M. Dias).

Scorers: A. Cohen 47, P. Anizoba 85

Yellow cards: Failla, Kouadio, Vandelanoitte, Thackray, Bello Osagie, Bondin

Referee: M. Borg

Player of the match: Andrew Cohen (Hibernians)

TMI top 3: 1. A. Cohen 2. P. Anizoba 3. C. Failla

Attendance: 813