Pieta H.-Hibernians 0-4

Hibernians secured their first three points of the season yesterday as they beat a disappointing Pieta Hotspurs side comfortably.

It was a satisfying victory for the Paolites after their 3-0 defeat at the hands of the champions in the season opener. But it was only in the second half that they showed glimpses of their true worth as they took over completely after a dismal first half performance.

The Paolites were always the better team, especially after having taken an early lead, albeit through an own goal. But they lacked ideas and it was only Essiem Mbong and Andrew Cohen who managed to show some flair.

Hibernians showed improvement in the second half as they pressed forward their advantage, and Pieta never appeared capable of saving the result.

Hibernians took the lead on seven minutes, when off a Cohen corner, I. Deanov had the misfortune of heading into his own net.

After this goal, play bordered on mediocrity despite Hibs enjoying the lion’s share of the attacking.

Eventually, after a couple of failed efforts, the score became 2-0 on 38 minutes after a splendid Hibs action. Mbong set Doda on the left flank and the latter passed the ball to Cohen who made no mistake from eight metres.

Pieta’s first attempt arrived on 44 minutes, and it was a low freekick from Sciuto that forced Mario Muscat into his only save of the first half.

Soon after the start of the second half, Cohen set Camilleri in the Pieta area, but his cross was headed over by Scerri.

On 50 minutes, Pullicino mishit the ball when put through by Doda. Six minutes later, it was Hogg who denied Mbong.

A goal was in the offing and it arrived on 65 minutes when Scerri had a shot blocked by Hogg, but the ball ran out to Zahra who made no mistake.

Hibs now took complete command and Hogg was again called into action to save a Scerri grounder before he was injured and had to be substituted by Paul Psaila. A little later, Scerri hit the side rigging from the angle and Psaila made the save of the evening, blocking a close range humdinger from Doda.

The score became 4-0 on 82 minutes, when Pullicino’s low cross was only partially saved by Psaila and Terence Scerri pushed the ball home.

Pieta almost pulled one back on 85 minutes, but Muscat saved well off substitute Decesare.

Pieta H.: A. Hogg (P. Psaila), D. Gera, C. Sammut, A. Spiteri, B. Sciberras, I. Deanov, S. Ciscaldi, C. Calleja (A. Decesare), C. Sciuto, D. O’Flaherty, M. Deanov.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, P. Pullicino, A. Pulis (R. Mintoff), A. Xuereb, E. Mbong, A. Zahra (M. Bartolo), A. Cohen, R. Baldacchino (J. Vella), T. Scerri, D. Camilleri, H. Doda.

Referee: M. Borg. Asst refs: A. Rapa, M. Debono; 4th official: AM Sant.

Scorers: I. Deanov (og), A. Cohen, A. Zahra, T. Scerri,

Yellow cards: D. O’Flaherty, A. Spiteri,

BOV Player of the Match: E. Mbong (Hibernians).

TMI Top 3: 1. E. Mbong; 2. D. Camilleri, 3. A. Cohen.