Hibernians-Marsaxlokk 2-2

Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis, J. Caruana, A. Xuereb, K. Cassar, E. Agius, A. Cohen (M. Bartolo), T. Scerri, P. Doffo, C. Failla (J. Vella), N. Chukunyere (U. Nwoko)

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, S. Wellman, L. Dimech, M. Licari, G. Sciberras (P. Pullicino), J. Pace, K. Sammut, H. Doda, D. Bogdanovic, C. Frendo

Referee: K. Azzopardi Asst.refs: K. Borg, P. Apap 4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: H. Doda, T. Scerri 2, D. Bogdanovic

Yellow cards: J. Pace, C. Failla

Player of the match: Terence Scerri (Hibernians)

TMI top three: 1. T. Scerri 2. L. Dimech 3. P. Doffo

Marsaxlokk were looking for maximum points after their previous draw against St George’s but for the second consecutive time, the Premier League leaders failed to win as they were again held to a 2-2 draw by a resilient Hibernians side yesterday.

Scarcely a surprise, Marsaxlokk made the more assertive start, with an intelligent mixture of long and short passes that made Hibernians defend with their customary diligence to keep them out.

But as the tide abated and began to turn in the Paolites' favour, the leaders were twice caught out by their opponents as they started to move forward. Terrence Scerri was Hibernians’ protagonist, scoring twice to erase Marsaxlokk’s lead each time in the first half, taking his personal tally to 13 league goals this season.

Marsaxlokk, who pride themselves on their buttress at the back, knew that this match was always going to be a keen examination of it. In fact Rueben Gauci, who was recalled in goal following Haber's unavailability due to suspension, ended up as the busier goalkeeper.

As expected, Marsaxlokk took the early initiative and an early lead after only four minutes play. Bogdanovic’s dangerous sailing free-kick inside the Hibernians’ box was cleared short and Haruna Doda shot in low through a bunch of legs.

Hibernians’ reaction came through headed efforts by Chukunyere, Scerri and Pulis, all missing the target, as Marsaxlokk remained the more menacing whenever they funnelled their attacks. Frendo made a hash out of Bogdanovic’s inviting pass from the byeline and then Pulis stopped Doda’s progression inside the area on a Frendo pass.

On 22 minutes Hibernians drew level. Chukunyere played a ball forward to the advancing Terence Scerri to beat keeper Gauci with some lethal finishing, the ball hitting the inside of the post before crossing the line.

Marsaxlokk had a tit-for-tat response though. Within one minute, Daniel Bogdanovic headed in Frendo’s cross from the left to restore his side’s lead, but the Hibernians’ players protested strongly, claiming that the ball had crossed the byeline before Frendo’s cross.

Though the goal stood, Hibernians caught their breath and got straight on with things. On 37 minutes Cohen's cross fell to the unmarked Scerri who flicked the ball but keeper Gauci turned into a corner with a reflex save. Minutes later Wellman cleared Cohen’s cross into a corner before Chukunyere could connect. And on the stroke of halftime, with Hibernins starting to have more possession, Terrence Scerri chased a long ball forward and reached for it before the onrushing keeper to beat him with a fine lob.

Going in on level terms at halftime, might have suggested that Hibernians had ridden the tide. In fact they started the second half in more lively fashion as the Marsaxlokk keeper was twice called to block shots from Cohen and Caruana after new signing Peter Pullicino was given his debut, going in as Sciberras’ substitute for Marsaxlokk on 50 minutes.

Marsaxlokk’s build-up became slower and their attacks less frequent and more predicatble. On 68 minutes Doda lofted the ball as he arrived clumsily on a Bogdanovic low cross.

But by then the match had lost much of its first half momentum as both sides looked utterly devoid of penetration.

Hibernians could have won the match in the late stages but Scerri was twice denied by Gauci. In the final analysis, a draw was a fair result.