Following this result, the Paolites are in fifth place on 11 points from seven games while the Citizens are in ninth place on eight points from nine games. The Paolites deserved the verdict as they were the better outfit.

The Paolites had the lion’s share of exchanges in the first period. After a Timothy Fleri Soler free kick, City ‘keeper Adam Debattista partially saved on Sammy Piscopo and a defender cleared the ball. On eight minutes Hibs drew first blood, Kenward Mifsud put Jonathan Xerri through on the left flank and after advancing he netted from a very acute angle.

In Valletta’s first attack, Anatoly Tischenko was put through and was pushed from behind on the edge of the area but the referee saw nothing wrong.

From a Mifsud free kick, a header by Daniel Zahra missed Valletta’s bar by inches and from a Piscopo flag kick another Daniel Zahra header had the same fate.

Paola ‘keeper Joswell Caruana saved a free kick shot by Kurt Attard.

Hibs doubled on 21 minutes. A Xerri cross was deflected to a corner and from Gary Inguanez’s flag kick Daniel Zahra was third time lucky and headed home.

The second period was a balanced affair as the Paolites slightly decreased their pressure.

A well-taken free kick by Nicky Vassallo was cleared to a corner by a Hibs defender. Four minutes after restart Hibs scored a third goal. Inguanez put substitute Leighten Grech through, the latter crossed to Piscopo who made no mistake from inside the area. Debattista then saved on Piscopo after a Grech through ball.

Valletta pulled one back on 50 minutes. Valter Caruana crossed to substitute Charlton Scicluna who shot past the Hibs ‘keeper on entering the area.

On 57 minutes Hibs were reduced to ten men as the referee showed the red card to Osbert Ellul for swearing. Caruana neutralised a dangerous cross by Scicluna.

Inguanez should have added another goal on 60 minutes but he miscued his shot from an ideal position after a Grech perfect cross.

Hibs kept trying till the very end when substitute Nathaniel Ebejer crossed to Scerri who missed the bar by a whisker.

Referee: Duncan Sultana

Player of Match: Jonathan Xerri (Paola H)

Vodafone U-16

Knock Out Phase

San Gwann 3

Fgura U. 1

San Gwann progressed to the second phase after being one goal down against Section C side Fgura U, who only created one occasion during the game from which they managed to score.

The saints created the first occasion, Dylan Musu put Ryan Delia through but his cross was cleared to a corner.

Fgura opened the score on 11 minutes. Mark Sammut put Christian Bordieri through and with the San Gwann defenders stopping for a non-existent offside he scored with a low shot from close range.

From then on it was total dominance by San Gwann until the half time whistle.

Fgura ‘keeper Jesmond Lia saved on Andrea Vella, a header by Miguel Francica missed the upright; he also saved in two attempts on Francica after a Musu free kick. A minute before half time San Gwann obtained a deserved equaliser when Delia served Sergio Hili from a free kick and the latter netted with a low shot.

The second period was also totally dominated by San Gwann. Lia saved on Musu, Hili missed the bar after a Musu through ball, a cross by Yorath Curmi hit the side-netting, Lia had to dive at Sergio Hili’s feet after a Francica through ball.

On 65 minutes San Gwann took a deserved lead. Luke Sciberras put substitute Shawn Vella through who scored from inside the area and two minutes later they put the issue beyond doubt when Armand Chetcuti netted after being served from a perfect free kick by Ryan Zammit.

Referee: Raymond Tabone

Player of Match: Dylan Musu (San Gwann)