Hibernians 0

Msida SJ 0

Hibernians: A. Camilleri, A. Pulis, R. Mintoff, E. Mbong, D. Williamson, T. Scerri (R. Baldacchino), A. Cohen, C. Failla (J. Vella), E. Agius, D. Camilleri, H. Doda

Msida SJ: O. Borg, J. Mifsud, M. Pullicino, T. Farrugia, C. Sciberras (K. Ebejer), D. Cachia (D. Gatt), P. Fenech, L. Micallef, I. Babatunde, D. Nwoke (S. Grima), O. Zongo

Referee: A. M. Sant Asst.refs: A. Arena, C. Micallef 4th official: K. Azzopardi

Yellow cards: D. Nwoke, M. Pullicino, T. Farrugia, D. Camilleri, D. Gatt, I. Babatunde

Player of the match: Omar Borg (Msida SJ)

TMI top three: 1. O. Borg 2. D. Williamson 3. C. Failla

Despite all the running and goal scoring opportunities, this match ended goalless as both sides were found wanting in their finishing, although both goalkeepers contributed to preserving clean sheets.

Hibernians might feel the more aggrieved as they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but to be fair there were times in the second period when Msida might have conjured that elusive first win in the Championship Pool.

Hibernians had Scerri starting the match in attack and Failla returned to the side, although Spiteri and Xuereb did not feature in Gatt’s line-up despite their availability after suspension.

As expected, the Paolites did most of the running and created the better chances throughout. They should have had a clear-cut victory, but little went right for them in front of goal. They failed to conclude numerous crosses which they raked in from both flanks.

Scerri’s tame headed efforts procured little danger while Cohen, connecting well on Williamson’s delivery, missed the target on a couple of other occasions.

Towards the end of the first half, Msida keeper Borg denied Hibernians with two smart saves in quick succession, on Mbong and Agius efforts.

Msida only showed up with an Nwoko free-kick from the edge of the area, tipped into a corner by keeper Camilleri, in the first half.

But they ventured more often into enemy territory in the second as Hibernians’ confidence drained after the first half.

Msida’s Nigerian trio was the main threat to the Paolites’ rearguard as Zongo’s shot on the run past the hour went tantalisingly wide and Camilleri blocked at Babatunde’s feet.

But play continued to be pretty dismal stuff with both sides failing to produce a cutting edge over their opponents.

In the final two minutes there were good scoring opportunities on both ends. A Cohen free-kick from the left thumped against the bar and then Babatunde’s effort was blocked by keeper Camilleri but Micallef shot incredibly wide with an open goal at his mercy.

The goal drought prevailed till the very end.