As expected Hibernians beat Gudja United, a win which has now put them in pole position to win the League. The Paolites were the better team all throughout but had to wait till the hour mark to take the lead.

Following Floriana’s inability to beat Birkirkara, Hibernians were more motivated to grab to maximum points and thus extend their lead at the summit to four points.

The Paolites were yet to win a match in the Top Six, losing to Hamrun and drawing against Floriana. But the match with the least quoted team in this section presented them with an golden opportunity to move a stone throws away from another league title.

On the other hand Gudja had little to play for though they are a tough nut to crack and in their last match they proved this by beating Hamrun Spartans.

The Paolites registered two identical 2-1 wins over Gudja in the first phase of the league championship.

Hibernians started brightly and on 12 minutes they went near to breaking the deadlock when a Dunstan Vella shot went just wide. Nine minutes later a Jurgen Degabriele free kick was headed over the bar by Da Costa.

Just past the half hour the Paolites were unlucky hitting the woodwork through an Artiles free kick. And on the stroke of half time it was Jake Grech’s turn only for his shot to end inches off the mark. With Gudja going near for the first time seconds before the half time whistle through a Llewelyn Cremona shot which missed the target.

Hibernians forged ahead on the hour when a Leandro Almeida cross found Ferdinando Apap whose header was fumbled by Glenn Zammit before ending at the back of the net.

Hibernians now grew in confidence and in the 66th minute they were rather unlucky when a shot by Dunstan Vella hit the woodwork and from the rebound  Zammit saved on Grech with the final shot by Degabriele cleared off the line by Neil Micallef.

But Hibernians sealed the issue five minutes from time when Jake Grech found Dunstan Vella with his shot beating Zammit all ends up.

It was now celebration time for the Paolites who registered an important win which has put them within touching distance from winning the League Championship.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina