Hibernians 2
Hamrun S. 1
Hibernians: Hogg, D. Vella, N. Radojevic, J. Mbong, M Dias, J. Degabriele (J. Bezzina 90), B. Kristensen, I. Ntow (C. Zammit 14), T. Marcolino (T. Costa 78), A. Agius, T. Fonseca
Hamrun S.: S. Cini, J. Pandiani (R. Darmanin 71), E. Pepe, T. Caruana, S. Nayar, C. Henneberg, M. Gauci, K. Micallef, O. Nikolopoulous, C. Calil, K. Tulimieri (B. Schembri 81)
Referee: M. Spiteri
Asst refs: E. Spiteri, P.Apap
4th official: M. Degabriele
Scorers: T. Marcolino 1, C. Calil 5, J. Mbong 47
Yellow cards: J. Mbong 28, S. Nayar 32, M. Dias 45, M. Radojevic 58, Henneberg 66
Player of the match: T. Marcolino
TMI Top 3: 1. J. Mbong, 2. C. Henneberg, 3. T. Marcolino
Attendance: 678
Hibernians joined Valletta in third place in the standings after a narrow win against Hamrun Spartans yesterday.
Marcolino headed the Paolites into a first minute lead, but Hamrun levelled the score through Calil soon after. Mbong shot Hibs back in the lead early in the second half and it proved to be a three-point winner.
Despite the defeat, the Spartans remain in a mid-table position on 9 points.
Two early goals promised a lot in this match, but despite all the action, there were no more goals in the first half.
It was a balanced affair with neither team taking control and with both defences on top of their respective front lines.
This was evident as the two goalkeepers were not tested seriously during the 40 minutes after the two goals.
In the second half, Hibernians were the better outfit. Having regained the lead with an early goal, they played with more confidence and kept the Hamrun defence working hard, before the Spartans woke up to their responsibilities forcing the Paolites to defend their slender lead.
Yet, it was only near the end that the Spartans threatened, but Hogg came out on top to give the Paolites three useful points.
Not a minute had passed when Hibs were already in the lead. Jurgen Degabriele's fine shot from the edge of the area beat goalie Cini but hit the crossbar and it was Taylon Marcolino who had no difficulty in heading home into the empty net.
But four minutes later, Hamrun levelled matters. From a Triston Caruana cross, the Hibs defence was static as Caetano Calil was completely unmarked to head home with ease.
In the 11th minute, Hibs had another chance to retake the lead when off an Isaac Ntow low cross, it was Marcolino who shot wide.
In the 19th minute, from a long clearance, Henneberg ran forward, but Hibs goalie Hogg rushed out of the area to clear the ball away with a good header. And he repeated the action moments later, saving the Paolites from awkward looking situations.
On 27 minutes, it was Mbong who set Marcolino, but the latter skied the ball from the angle.
Later it was Hamrun goalie Cini who denied the Paolites, as he dived to intercept a dangerous low cross by Tiago Fonseca.
Hamrun also threatened on 42 minutes after a fine move involving Calil, Henneberg and Tulimieri, but the latter's cross-shot passed across goal.
Soon after the start of the second half, Hibs regained the lead. From a Degabriele freekick, the ball was cleared out to Mbong who controlled the ball before firing a fine inswinger which completely beat Cini.
On 63 minutes, Hibs went close to adding a third goal through Dunstan Vella, but his flick was blocked by the feet of the onrushing Cini.
Ten minutes later, Hamrun appealed for a penalty when Calil fell to the ground in a tackle by a Hibs defender in the area, but referee Spiteri saw nothing untoward and waved play on.
In the 89th minute, Hogg was called into action, turning to corner a freekick by Nayar and moments later, the Hibs goalie again saved a Henneberg header from a Caruana cornerkick.