Hibernians-Msida SJ 0-4
Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, R. Briffa, E. Agius (M. Bartolo), K. Cassar, A. Cohen (J. Caruana), P. Doffo, T. Scerri, N. Chukunyere (A. Zahra), U. Nwoko
Msida SJ: O. Borg, P. Sciriha, S. Grima (L. Micallef), J. Mifsud, T. Farrugia, P. Pullicino, I. Babatunde, P. Fenech, D. Nwoke, O. Zongo (M. Ellul), R. Baldacchino (D. Cachia)
Referee: A. Zammit, Ass. Referees: J. Camilleri, P. Agius, 4th Official: J. Attard
Scorers: O. Zongo, D. Nwoke 2, R. Baldacchino
Yellow cards: A. Pulis, P. Pullicino, P. Doffo, K. Cassar, A. Xuereb
Player of the match: Daniel Nwoke (Msida SJ)
TMI best three: 1. R. Baldacchino, 2. D. Nwoke, 3. O. Zongo
With Marsaxlokk winning on Friday, the spotlight and the pressure switched to second placed Msida and third-placed Hibernians who both felt they could not afford to slip in this direct encounter.
Msida are now looming large in the rearview mirror, two points behind leaders Marsaxlokk, after inflicting significant damage on Hibernians’ title aspirations.
The Saints yesterday laid plenty of entertainment and played most of the football as Hibernians were outmuscled in almost every department and never got started.
Trailing by one goal at halftime, the Paolites collapsed to concede two quick goals after the restart which killed all their flickering hopes against superior opponents full of purpose and some devastating finishing thanks to their three Nigerian forwards as well as Roderick Baldacchino who played his best game so far for Msida, against his former club.
Msida had the better start, forging ahead after only seven minutes play. Ousseni Zongo steered Babatunde’s cross low at the far post beyond keeper Muscat’s reach.
That goal galvanised the Saints but Hibernians took no time to pull themselves back into the reckoning and forced a series of corners before they were nearly caught cold midway through the half when Muscat misjudged the flight of the ball, as it fell to the unmarked Nwoke who shot off target.
Halftime was starting to loom as Msida again found their taste for the game and went very close to increasing the lead but were twice denied by the woodwork. Babatunde headed Baldacchino’s cross against the bar, Nwoke again thumped the rebound against the upright with Muscat grounded until the Hibs keeper saved Zongo’s final header.
Hibernians though were undone by two goals in quick succession within five minutes of the second half. Restarting play, Daniel Nwoko ran through the Hibernians defence and rifled a shot from inside the area past the helpless Muscat. Five minutes later Roserick Baldacchino forayed down the left flnk after winning possession, advanced towards goal and beat the keeper with a rising shot.
On 54 minutes, Hibernians failed to pull one back as Scerri’s goal bound shot on Chukunyere’s pass was blocked by keeper Borg.
But full of assertive enthusiasm, Msida continued to torment the Hibernians’ rearguard with the pacey runs of their three foreigners. On 57 minutes Babatunde played the ball square to the advancing Baldacchino on the left. The latter played a low pass towards the middle for Daniel Nwoke to hit ho me from close range.
With the points virtually secured, Msida eased up. Unconvincing Hibernians showed up with Bartolo and Doffo efforts, turned superbly into corners by keeper Borg, after Muscat was alert to repel Fenech’s shot and avoid his side further derision on a miserable afternoon.