Hibernians  followed up their  slim win against Floriana with another narrow margin against struggling Hamrun Spartans, down to eighth place in the standings following  their second consecutive defeat.

Hibernians achieved victory without the suspended Marcelo Dias but with Zoran Levnaic back in defence and Udo Nwoko and Anderson Ribeiro included from the start.

They had their work cut early as they built a two-goal cushion by the first 20 minutes  but failed to add to their tally despite long spells of territorial dominance and some slick football. A sloppy goal conceded after the hour, enabled Hamrun to pull themsleves into the game and the Paolites were suddenly forced to absorb some excessive pressure beyond expectancy for the last 25 minutes.

Hamrun ‘s rally was finally not enough to earn them at least a point and punished them for their too lethargic and laid back approach in the first half.

Hibernians broke the deadlock after eight minutes after Failla demanded the first save from Hamrun keeper Cassar on a Lima pass. From the latter’s corner kick, Hamrun’s clearance fell in the path of Andrew Cohen who was quick to fire in from the edge of the area.

Hamrun, who had Vitanov suspended and Calabretta going in as a second half substitute, were soon facing an uphill struggle. On a Failla cross from the left, Ribeiro failed to connect well when challenged by Vergilov.

But there was no denying the former Hamrun striker on 20 minutes as he volleyed in Cohen’s cross from the right to double the Spartans’ deficit.

Hamrun, who rarely ventured into enemy territory in the first half, failed to trouble Mario Muscat in the Hibernians’ goal. Zerafa’s effort from outside the area was erratic and Yoshev’s free kick went wide.

Hibernians were forced to substitute Nwoko, with muscle problems soon after the restart but remained in total control. Cohen’s cross from the right was slightly deflected by a Hamrun defender and the ball fell invitingly to Lima to be denied by keeper Cassar’s smart save. On another Cohen cross, Pulis’ looping header went narrowly wide.

But as Hibernians failed to pile up more goals, Hamrun pulled themselves into the game towards the hour, after effecting  two tactical substitutions. Gianluca Calabretta went in for Spiteri and then David Camilleri was substituted by Luke Grech, with Yoshev taking a more advanced role on the flank.

Vella had already been blocked by Levnaic as he chased a Grima long pass. On 65 minutes Grech delivered a pass to Angel Yoshev to beat keeper Muscat with a lopw drive at the near post. That was a poor goal to concede and Hibernians looked suddenly out of sorts as the Spartans mounted some belated pressure.

Yoshev tested Muscat again with a powerful shot and Vella shot wastefully over after a Grima free kick caused havoc in the Paola area.

On 72 minutes, Grima’s meaty free kick brought the best out of keeper Muscat as he turned into a corner and five minutes later, Grima himself threatened with another scorching shot just over the bar.

The introduction of Jean Paul Farrugia for Ribeiro enabled Hibernians to keep the Hamrun rearguard under check. On 81 minutes he went past Vergilov but was stopped by Fenech. Another block by Fenech inside the area denied the Hibernians’ striker once more before coach Michael Woods was dismissed by the referee for passing some unwarranted remarks.

But Hibernians are not so naive to let go their advantage and finally secured the points that keep them only three short of leaders Valletta.

Hamrun S: A. Cassar, M. Grima, , R. Spiteri (G. Calabretta), T. Vella, N. Bozhov, A. Ivanov, R. Fenech, A. Yoshev, A. Vergilov , D. Camilleri (L. Grech), D. Zerafa (C. Cassar)
Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, R. Soares, A. Cohen, B. Kristensen, A. Pulis, C. Failla, Z. Levnaic, U. Nwoko (A. Azzopardi), A. Ribeiro (J. P. Farrugia), J. Lima
Referee:   F. Zammit
Asst.refs:  E. Spiteri, S. Attard
4th official: M. Borg
Scorers:  A. Cohen 8, A. Ribeiro 20, A. Yoshev 65
Yellow cards: R. Fenech, B. Kristensen, J.P. Farrugia, M. Grima
Player of the match: A. Cohen (Hibernians)
TMI top 3:  1. A. Cohen  2. A. Yoshev  3. M. Grima
Attendance: 692