Santa Lucia 0
Hibernians 2
Santa Lucia: R. Caruana, G. Bohrer, D. Mendoza, M de Jesus Santana, KA Rosero, C. Riascos Torres, J. Walker (J. Zerafa 80), D. Agius, F. Zuniga, W. Gomes (O. Elouni 58), N. Borg
Hibernians: M. Jovicic, T. Tabone Desira, F. Apap, L. Da Silveira, J. Mbong, J. Grech (J. Wemmer 71), D. Vella, G. Izquier, A. Agius, L. Nanni (M. Beerman 82), I. Iriberri (T. Groothusen 86)
Referee: S. Pace
Asst refs: A. Camilleri, M. Scerri
4th official: M. Apap
Scorers: I. Iriberri 40, 52
Yellow cards: G. Bohrer 34, W. Gomes 36, D. Mendoza 64, F. Apap 66, L. De Silveira 80
BO Player of the Match: I. Iriberri
TMI Top 3: 1. I. Iriberri; 2. J. Grech, 3. K. Ante Rosero.
Attendance: 419
Hibernians yesterday beat neighbours Santa Lucia by two goals to nil in a hotly contested derby at the Hibernians Stadium.
Goals from Imanol Iriberri late in the first half and early in the second half, were enough for the Paolites to secure their 4th league win.
Thanks to this victory, the Paolites have moved into 6th place on 13 points, the same as Mosta, but with a better goal difference.
Santa Lucia, for whom this was their third defeat, remain in 10th place on 9 points.
The Premier League newcomers gave Hibernians some worrying moments before they eventually made sure of the three points.
Colombian youngster Carlos Riascos Torres made his debut for the Saints, and was also selected by coach Oliver Spiteri in the starting line-up.
The first half was equally balanced with the Saints starting like a house on fire creating some chances which, however, they failed to convert into goals.
Slowly but surely, the Paolites started coming into the picture with Joseph Mbong and Jake Grech inspiring their strikers with some telling passes.
But the Paolites had to wait till the 40th minute to take the lead as they found it quite difficult to penetrate the well organised Santa Lucia defence.
In the second half, the Saints again started on attack in search of an equaliser, but it was Iriberri who struck again for the Paolites with a splendid goal.
From then on, the Saints threw everything in attack in an effort to get back into contention, but the Paolites were solid at the back inspired by some good goalkeeping by Jovicic.
The Saints were the first to threaten on 11 minutes when off a De Jesus Santana cross, Wilkerson Gomes failed to make contact in front of goal.
Two minutes later, it was again the Saints who went close when off a Kevin Ante Rosero cross, Nick Borg shot well over the bar from three metres when a header would have probably produced a better reward.
The Saints insisted on attack and on 18 minutes a De Jesus Santana freekick went close with the ball just missing the far upright.
In the 24th minute, Hibernians had their first attempt at goal. It was Jake Grech who tested goalie Caruana from an angle, but the Saints goalie turned to corner.
In the 38th minute, Hibs threatened again through a Gabriel Izquier effort which was deviated by a defender just over the post.
Soon after, Mbong set Imanol Iriberri in the Saints area, but the latter's shot was weak and goalie Caruana saved easily.
In the 40th minute, the Paolites took the lead when Grech set the same Iriberri in the Saints area and this time, the Hibs striker beat the helpless Caruana.
At the start of the second half, Santa Lucia's Gomes had a low shot well controlled by goalie Jovicic.
Hibs added a second goal in the 52nd minute. And what a gem of a goal it was! Iriberri bustled his way to the edge of the Saints penalty area and found the net with a splendid rising shot that gave goalie Caruana no chance.
In the 57th minute, from an Ante Rosero cross, it was De Jesus Santana who was thwarted by a splendid save by Jovicic.
The Saints also had an Ante Rosero low shot well saved by Jovicic before substitute Omar Elouni saw his header turned to corner by the Hibs goalie.
On 88 minutes, Hibs failed to put the game to bed completely when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Carlos Riascos Torres on Gabriel Izquier. Substitute Groothusen saw his effort well saved by goalie Caruana.
But till the end, they withstood the Saints pressure to emerge worthy winners.