HIBERNAINS 1

ST GEORGE’S 2

Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis (L. Grech), A. Xuereb, J. Caruana, P. Doffo, A. Cohen, T. Scerri, T. Caruana, J. Vella (C. Failla), E. Agius (B. Camilleri), A.Da Silva

St George’s: B. Paris, J. Spiteri, A. Effiong, R. Conceicao, L. Grima, L. Mizzi, E. Sevasta, H. Schembri, C. Brincat, L. Lagana. B. Fenech

Referee: J. Attard Asst.refs: J. Camilleri, Ms E. Farrugia 4th official: A. Arciola

Scorers: R. Conceicao 2 (pens); T. Scerri

Yellow cards: P. Doffo, L. Grima, A. Pulis, A. Cohen, J. Spiteri, L. Lagana’, A. Effiong, T. Scerri, C. Failla

Red cards: H. Schembri, T. Scerri

Player of the match: Renato Conceicao (St George’s)

TMI top three: 1. R. Conceicao 2. A. Cohen 3. B. Paris

Brazilian defender Renato Conceicao scored two penalties of immeasurable importance for St George’s yesterday, helping his side to an important win over Hibernians, which now puts them level with Pieta, when points are halved, and makes the relegation issue even tighter.

A rather quiet match came to life in the last quarter hour, to produce a dramatic ending, with Hibernians drawing level after trailing to St George’s lead midway through the first half, and then the Saints scoring a winning penalty in the late stages after a player from each side was sent off.

Hibernians had key players like Cassar, Bartolo and Chukunyere missing but that is little excuse for their yet again inept performance as they remain a mystery wrapped in an enigma. They cannot seem to rid themselves of the problems that dogged their season, particularly a vulnerabality in defence.

St George’s traded equal punches with their opponents for the first 25 minutes, with their players Conceicao, Schembri and Mizzi very much involved in their build ups as they raked long balls forward for Effiong to chase.

Hibernians created a couple of half chances, none too dangerous for keeper Paris who was back in the St George’s goal.

Scerri’s efforts on Cohen’s free-kick were twice blocked while Pulis headed a Cohen corner kick over the bar.

On 27 minutes St George’s were awarded a penalty for a handling infringement by Vella inside the area and Renato Conceicao beat Muscat with a low drive – his second penalty this season – to give the Saints the lead.

Hibernians’ reaction was flaccid and Caruana failed to capitalise when keeper Paris mishandled Cohen’s cross past the half hour.

Hibernians spurned more chances after the interval as they laid siege on their opponents. Scerri was the main culprit as he headed Cohen’s cross over the bar and then failed to connect on Da Silva’s low cross from the right.

Cohen’s free-kicks were the most cause of concern for the Saints’ defence. Towards the hour, with no one connecting on Cohen’s free-kick from the left, the ball hit the inside of the post and rebounded in play. Later, Paris blocked another free-kick but did not hold the ball, only for Caruana to shoot the loose ball off target.

Hibernians were unlucky on 71 minutes when Pulis’s firm header on Cohen’s corner, thumped against the bar.

Hibernians’ equaliser on 76 minutes, albeit deservingly, came in controversial fashion. Terence Scerri was left unattended inside the area and might have handled Failla’s cross before firing the ball at the top corner.

The goal was allowed and that brought loud protests from the St George’s players with assistant referee Camilleri. Tempers flared, skirmishes ensued and in the process, objects were also thrown onto the pitch. Finally, Schembri was sent off for St George’s.

The remaining minutes proved electrifying. On 82 minutes Scerri was also sent off, within seconds of his first booking, apparently for some foul language.

Five minutes from time, St George’s were awarded a second penalty when Effiong was floored by Pulis and Conceicao scored what proved to be their winner.

Scerri, inexplicably, tried to make his way onto the pitch but was held back from reaching at the referee by his team mates.

Despite their efforts in the late chaotic stages of the match, Hibernians failed to avoid defeat, as Paris denied Caruana and Da Silva shot over, and the ire of their disgruntled fans at the end.