Hibernians               2
Senglea                    0

Hibernians: A. Hogg, D. Vella, J. Mbong, M. Dias, J. Degabriele (D. Abela 90'), B. Kristensen, I.Ntow, T. Marcolino (D. Xuereb 88') , J.Bezzina, A. Agius, T. Fonseca ( C. Zammit 85')

Senglea: B. Perger Geza, M. Bartolo ( R. Rocha 85' ), D. Micallef, F. Salvati, L. Grech, A. Volpini. N. Garcia, R. Caseres, K. Cutajar ( F. Bramati 72'), L. Mallia (Z. Cassar 61') , A. White

Referee: Darryl Agius  

Asst refs: Duncan Sultana, Duncan Spencer

4th official: Alex Johnson  

Scorers: T. Marcolino 43', T. Fonseca 44'

Yellow cards: A. White, L. Grech, T. Marcolino

Player of the match: T. Marcolino (Hibernians)

TMI Top 3:  1. T. Marcolino    2. J. Bezzina   3.   T. Fonseca

Hibernians registered their ninth consecutive win when they beat basement side Senglea. A win which put the Paolites alone in pole position two points above Valletta and Gzira with a game left till the end of the first round.

Hibernians went into this match on song both in the League and also in the Trophy when they defeated Qormi by a 5-1 scoreline last week thus qualifying easily into the next round. Coach Sanderra made one change from their last league match drafting in Kristensen instead of the suspended Radojevic.

Senglea lost six of their last seven matches and are also out of the FA Trophy after squandering a two goal lead against Mosta and bowing out after extra time. Imanol Gonzalez was suspended for this match.

Senglea were first to venture forward after seven minutes but Salvati's free kick was saved by Hogg. Hibernians replied a minute later through a Fonseca shot which was saved by Perger.

The Paolites started piling the pressure with Degabriele blasting high when well positioned. On 24 minutes Ntow's fierce drive from outside the box missed by a whisker. On the half hour an Mbong cross shot was blocked by Perger.

In the 34th minute Hibernians missed the easiest of chances when Fonseca made his way on the right flank, crossed towards the unmarked Degabriele and when everyone was waiting for the ball to hit the net, the nippy striker concluded high.

Eight minutes from the end of the first half Senglea went near through a Salvati free kick. Hibernians drew first blood on 43 minutes. A long range shot by Bezzina was partially saved by Perger and in came Taylon Marcolino who slotted the ball into an empty net.

And just a minute later Hibernians added a second. This time Degabriele crossed towards Marcolino whose shot was saved and turned onto the bar by Perger but there was Tiago Fonseca who tapped in.

The first minutes of the second half were practically a training session with Hibernians passing the ball calmly and Senglea struggling to gain possesssion. In fact goal mouth actions were rather scarce with both teams failing to reach any particular heights.

In the 78th minute off a Fonseca cross Marcolino blasted his effort well over the bar. Senglea were handed a lifeline in the 84th minute after Hogg brought down Caseres in the area. But from the resultant penalty kick Volpini shot high over the bar.

Till the end Hibernians controlled well cruising comfortably to another win which puts them at the summit of the Premier League. A deserved win for the Paolites with Senglea left anchored at the bottom of the standings with just four points.