Hibernians-Marsaxlokk 3-1

After a streak of five winless matches, Hibernians finally rediscovered their winning touch, beating Marsaxlokk to the tune of 3-1 to catch up with them in third place in the standings.

Hibernians were in particularly good touch yesterday, with the desire to improve on their recent dismal record. They revelled in the task of exposing the frailties of their frankly lamentable opponents. Marsaxlokk were also eager to improve upon two back-to-back defeats but they were hampered by the quality of their play. An unbalanced defence, susceptible to the unusual, and an unimaginative midfield led to Marsaxlokk's downfall. They even failed to convert a penalty early in the second half when they were 2-0 down.

Two goals up by the first 37 minutes enabled the Paolites to take early control of the match and never looked in danger of dropping the points, especially because Agius and Mbong worked hard in midfield and Williamson was irrepressible on the flank.

Both teams had some regulars missing through injuries or suspension, most notably Hibernians' keeper Muscat and Scerri as well as Marsaxlokk's Cleaven Frendo as the Southseasiders gave starts to Bajada and Wendell Soares Gomes.

Camilleri, Hibernains' deputy keeper was soon called to palm out Pace's angled shot after his incursion from the right flank.

But when Hibernians established hegemony in midfield, boosted by the return of Essien Mbong, they managed to take the lead after 12 minutes. Andrew Cohen raced in for Agius' through ball and avoided the onrushing keeper before slotting the ball diagonally over the line.

The goal sapped the wind out of Marsaxlokk's sails and it was no surprise that Hibernians doubled their lead on 37 minutes, after a couple of close shaves. Marsaxlokk's defence again looked suspect when Williamson whipped a long cross from the right which Dos Santos Gomes and the keeper failed to clear and skipper for the day, Roderick Baldacchino, deflected the ball in via the underside of the bar.

Marsaxlokk could have rolled themselves back into the game five minutes after the restart when they were awarded a penalty after assistant referee Rapa's flagging on the Hibernians keeper's contact with Soares Gomes inside the area. But Camilleri did well to dive to his left and save Bajada's spot kick.

Hardly three minutes later, Marsaxlokk collapsed to concede a third goal, again courtesy of some slack defending. Haruna Doda was quick to capitalise on Mamo's and Dos Santos Gomes' hesitation inside the penalty area and beat keeper Gauci with a low shot on the turn.

With the points virtually secured, Hibernians played with some training ground easiness although they still looked menacing when Williamson's volley hit the crossbar before being tipped to a corner by the keeper.

Marsaxlokk pulled one back on 75 minutes, Andre Schembri shooting in from close range after keeper Camilleri was caught cold on Soares Gomes' assist.

But there was more misery for Marsaxlokk in the dying stages. With two minutes remaining, Charlo Magro was sent off after fouling Cohen, who was about to sprint towards goal but Camilleri's ensuing free-kick was blocked by keeper Gauci.

Hibernians: A. Camilleri, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, E. Mbong, D. Williamson, J. Pearson (K. Spiteri), E. Agius, R. Baldacchino (C. Failla), A.Cohen, D. Camilleri, H. Doda

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Magro, S. Wellman, N. Dos Santos Gomes, C. Mamo (K. Mamo), K. Sammut, C. Nwoko, J. Pace, S. Bajada, W. Soares Gomes, A. Schembri

Referee: J. Attard Asst. refs: I. Spiteri, J. Rapa 4th official: A. M. Sant

Scorers: A. Cohen, R. Baldacchino, H. Doda, A. Schembri

Yellow card: A. Pulis

Red card: C. Magro

Player of the match: David Camilleri (Hibernians)

TMI top three: 1. E. Agius 2. D. Williamson 3. A. Schembri