Hibernians swept aside Marsaxlokk’s feeble resistance with three goals in the second half to put more pressure on league leaders and champions Sliema.

Hibernians are now three points behind Sliema, whom they meet next Saturday in a top of the table clash. One sad note for Hibernians is that they have to face Sliema without Andrew Cohen who was sent off together with Andre Schembri after half an hour play.

Marsaxlokk coach Ray Zazu Farrugia, must work very hard to bring the desired results to this high aiming club. After a good first half, they were completely blotted out in the second half by a superior Hibernians side.

Marsaxlokk started the match with Shaun Bajada, even though Gareth Sciberras was included in the initial line up, but the ex-Pieta player suffered an injury during the warming up. Shaun Bajada was however one of his side’s best players.

Luck was surely not on Marsaxlokk’s side as they had to change Jamie Pace after ten minutes with his substitute Dos Santos Gomes, limping off after only twenty minutes on the field of play.

Haruna Doda played one of his best matches since joining Hibernians, with David Camilleri again playing a blinder at the back and scoring a very important brace to put Hibernians on course to victory.

Doda had a good run after two minutes with his shot missing the target, but on six minutes Marsaxlokk were in the lead. Andre Schembri rose high to head beautifully home a perfect cross from the left by Wendell Gomes.

Marsaxlokk’s joy was shortlived as Hibernians equalised sixty seconds later when Terence Scerri slotted home in an empty net following a Failla free-kick.

Hibernians had a great chance on fifteen minutes with Haruda Doda completely unmarked, denied by a brilliant Gauci save.

On thirty minutes Andre Schembri and Andrew Cohen, lacked the necessary sporting spirit, and referee Casha sent them to cool down with an early shower.

In the second half Hibernians took the edge over their opponents, especially after forging ahead with another brilliant David Camilleri freekick, his fourth after his hat trick against Birkirkara.

Three minutes later Marsaxlokk had their best chance to get to level terms but Wendell Gomes’ shot from the edge of the area slightly missed the upright.

On 68 minutes Hibernians put the issue beyond doubt when Haruna Doda beat a couple of defenders before unleashing a perfect grounder that beat Ruben Gauci.

The match was now won and lost, and referee casha had to keep his calm to control some nasty tackles and scuffles. On 76 minutes Wellman tripped Terence Scerri inside the area, and from the penalty spot David Camilleri scored Hibernians’ fourth and final goal.

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, S. Wellman, S. Bajada, K. Sammut, A. Schembri, C. Frendo, C. Bart-Williams, J. Pace (N. Dos Santos Gomes)(M. Licari), C. Paiber, W. Soares Gomes.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, P. Pullicino, K. Spiteri (B. Camilleri), A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, T. Scerri, A. Cohen, D. Camilleri, E. Agius, C. Failla, H. Doda.

Scorers: A. Schembri, T. Scerri, D. Camilleri 2 (1 pen), H. Doda

Referee: A. Casha, asst. refs: C. Micallef, P. Agius, 4th official: M. Borg

Yellow cards: C. Mamo, S. Wellman, C. Paiber, M. Licari, P. Pullicino, A. Xuereb, E. Agius

Red cards: A. Schembri, A. Cohen

Player of the match: Haruna Doda (Hibernians)

TMI top three: 1. H. Doda, 2. D. Camilleri, 3. S. Bajada