Hibernians-Marsa 4-0
Hibernians: M. Muscat, J. Caruana, R. Briffa, K. Cassar, A. Zahra (T. Caruana), P. Doffo, M. Bartolo, A. Cohen, T. Scerri, C. Failla (J. Vella), N. Chukunyere (J. Farrugia)
Marsa: J. Debono, G. Bencini, K. Scerri (K. Cassar), D. Vella, E. Yanchev, S. Cuatjar, B. Zammit, D. Cucciardi (W. Chircop), V. Bellia, G. Martin (J.P. Zammit), A. Scerri
Referee: C. Lautier, Ass. Referees: I. Spiteri, M. Debono, 4th official: Ms. E. Farrugia
Scorer: T. Scerri (4)
Yellow cards: S. Cutajar
Player of the match: Terence Scerri (Hibernians)
TMI best three: 1. A. Cohen, 2. T. Scerri, 3. E. Yanchev
Four goals by Terence Scerri, two in each half, gave Hibernians victory on an afternoon they dominated their inferior opponents and barely needed to break sweat.
This was undoubtedly a morale boosting win, averting the talk of crisis in the Paola club – at least for the time being - having collecting only three points in their previous five matches.
With Scerri and Cohen combining well and the former’s lethal finish, Hibernians dominated and had they taken all their chances they could have won with a cricket score.
Camped in their own half for long stretches, Marsa were on the back foot from the moment they conceded the first goal after six minutes.
With Failla and Doffo back in the side after suspension, but without Nwoko and Agius, Hibernians coach Robert Gatt opted to include Zahra in his starting line-up. That paid dividends as the highly aggressive Paolites were two goals to the good already midway through the half.
The scorer of both goals was Terrence Scerri, who beat keeper Debono with a defiant strike after six minutes play as his pacey run inside the box took him past his marker.
The second, on 22 minutes, he scored with a delightful lob over the onrushing keeper when put clear by Cohen.
As Hibernians started to bask in their superiority, Marsa threatened towards the half hour as a Cucciardi effort, following a Martin corner kick, was saved on the goal line. But after being forced to substitute the injured Martin after 35 minutes, Marsa, who were also without Fasinelli, were looking as ordinary as their table position suggests and were hardly allowed to venture outside their own half.
In fact Hibernians could have amassed further goals before the break but fluffed a couple of chances as well as being denied by the woodwork.
Scerri horrendously shot off target when regaled with a good ball by Chukunyere on 36 minutes and shortly afterwards a Bartolo shot rebounded off the foot of the post on a Cohen pass.
Hibernians continued to look profligate on the stroke of half time when Scerri sent an inviting low cross for the advancing Chukunyere who, when challenged by Yanchev, shot wide.
Hibernians opened the second half with more endeavour than has been the case in recent games and kept up the momentum, enjoying the lion’s share of possession, although creating few clear scoring opportunities.
But towards the hour, Hibernians were three up with a flowing move. Failla charged down the left flank, back-heeled the ball towards Cohen who played it forward for Terence Scerri to shoot low past the helpless Debono and complete a personal hat-trick.
Three goals down, Marsa were out but continued to battle gamely and even embarrass keeper Muscat with shots from their substitute Chircop.
But Hibernians still found time to score their fourth, with two minutes remaining, Terrence Scerri again finishing off Caruana’s cross from close range to end up easy winners, highlighting the gulf between the two sides, in a match that was never a contest.