Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Mintoff, K. Spiteri, C. Failla (R. Baldacchino), E. Agius, J. Vella, M. Bartolo (A. Zahra), A. Pulis, T. Scerri, A. Cohen, B. Camilleri (N.Chukunyere)

Birkirkara: A. Bledzewski (J. Galea), L. Stivala (J.P. Mifsud Triganza), W. Camenzuli, T. Paris (H. Sabi), M. Anastasi, R. Mifsud, K. Scicluna, A. Paradiso, G. Gallovich, A. Tabone, J. Zerafa

Referee: A. Zammit

Asst refs: N. Debattista, A. Camilleri; 4th official: P. Caruana.

Scorers: T. Scerri (2), A. Paradiso, A. Cohen, JP. Mifsud Triganza

Yellow cards: W. Camenzuli, G. Gallovich

Red card: G. Gallovich



A Terence Scerri brace helped Hibernians beat a depleted Birkirkara side by the odd goal in five, as they are now favourites to lift the Euro Challenge Cup, as a draw against Sliema tomorrow will be enough for Robert Gatt’s side.

Birkirkara paraded three new foreigners, and had only three players on the substitute’s bench.

Midfielder Angelo Paradiso left a good impression even scoring a great goal from mid-pitch. On the other hand Guido Gallovich had a dismal debut being shown the red card on 77 minutes.

In front of a score of spectators, Hibernians showed the better ideas in the first half, taking the lead on 13 minutes when Terence Scerri scored from close range after his first header was blocked by Bledzewski.

On the resumption Paradiso obtained a stunning equaliser beating Muscat with a perfect lob from the centre line.

However Hibernians were back in front on 66 minutes when Andrew Cohen pounced on a defensive blunder by Gallovich to beat substitute goalkeeper Joshua Galea.

Ten minutes later Gallovich was sent off after his second yellow card, and three minutes from time Terence Scerri sealed the issue after being put through by the returning Chukunyere.

In stoppage time Birkirkara pulled one back when Mifsud Triganza nipped in to score from close range.