HIBERNIANS 1

BIRKIRKARA 3

Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb (C. Failla), R. Mintoff, D. Williamson, R. Baldacchino, A. Cohen, D. Camilleri, E. Agius, K. Spiteri, H. Doda

Birkirkara: D. Simon, M.A. Bonnici (E. Barbara), L. Galea, P. Monye, W. Camenzuli, M. Galea, J. Holland, K. Scicluna, J. P. Mifsud Triganza (R. Sammut), G. Mallia, E. Yanchev

Referee: M. Borg asst.refs: N. Debattista, A. Arciola 4th official: A. Casha

Scorers: A. Cohen, M. Galea(2) 1 pen, G. Mallia

Yellow cards: M. Muscat, R. Mintoff

Player of the match: Michael Galea (Birkirkara)

TMI top three: 1. M. Galea 2. D. Simon 3. G. Mallia

Not for the first time of late, Birkirkara exhibited the resilience of which champions are made, coming back from a goal down to score three times for a deserved victory which gave them a five point advantage over Sliema Wanderers at the top of the Premier League.

The Stripes looked unified, coherent and full of promise, despite missing some regulars such as Calascione, Briffa and Ciantar and Barbara making only a second half appearance as a substitute. They showed in the process that they are full of running with the championship race getting properly under way.

Hibernians, bereft of Mbong and the versatile Pullicino, struggled in midfield, yesterday occupied by David Camilleri and the returning Williamson. Their early lead only lasted 12 minutes, after which they lost grip on the game.

Still 2-1 down in the second half, the Paolites fought gamely although they looked most menacing from set pieces, only to be denied by Birkirkara’s inspired keeper Simon.

In the end, they failed to stop the slump which saw them obtain only one point from their last four matches.

Hibernians took an early lead, after only six minutes play. The Birkirkara keeper Simon appeared to have been harassed by Doda when trying to punch out Camilleri’s corner kick from the right and as the ball fell to Andrew Cohen, he steered it over the line. Despite some protests from the Birkirkara players, the goal was allowed to stand.

Birkirkara’s response was immediate and fierce. Michael Galea’s shot on a Mifsud Triganza cross, was saved by the grounded Muscat and the Hibernians’ keeper later held out Camenzuli’s volley.

On 19 minutes Birkirkara restored equilibrium. Hibernians lost possession in midfield and Mifsud Triganza played a long ball forward for Michael Galea to chase and beat Muscat with a piece of clinical finish.

That goal galvanised the leaders who took complete control in midfield and the game.

On the half hour, Mallia’s firm header from near the bye-line, on Holland’s cross, was saved by Muscat before Birkirkara forged ahead, five minutes from half time in a controversial manner. Yanchev fell inside the area when coming in contact with Hibernians’ defender Xuereb. The referee did not notice any infringement but only awarded the penalty after the flagging of assistant Debattista, among strong protests from the Hibernians’ players and coach. Michael Galea converted his fifth penalty this season taking his personal tally to 19 goals already.

Before the break, Michael Galea headed Mallia’s cross from the left wide and keeper Muscat saved his side from further derision blocking the Birkirkara’s striker powerful shot into a corner.

In the second half, Hibernians tried to put in more effort and succeeded in giving their opponents some uncomfortable moments, only to be denied by the superb goalkeeping of Simon.

The Birkirkara custodian was inspired, reeling off two good saves, first tipping over Camilleri’a arrow-like free-kick and then stretching himself to keep out Baldacchino’s goal bound effort. In between, Birkirkara had put in Barbara for Bonnici as Hibernians’ best spell in the match saw them going close to an equaliser. On 75 minutes a Camilleri free-kick caused some anxious moments to the Birkirkara rearguard and substitute Failla’s overhead kick thumped against the upright.

Hardly a minute later, Birkirkara delivered the killer blow. George Mallia crowned yet another good performance, finishing off Michael Galea’s pass.

The Stripes’ triumphant march continues.