Hibernians-Marsaxlokk 2-3

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

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

Referee: M. Borg Asst. refs: I. Spiteri, G. Barbara 4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: D. Bogdanovic, K. Spiteri, S. Garci, C. Frendo (pen), M. Bartolo

Yellow cards: J. Pace, P. Doffo, J. Caruana

Player of the match: Daniel Bogdanovic (Marsaxlokk)

TMI top three: 1. R. Gauci 2. U. Nwoko 3. P. Doffo

A top notch reflex save by keeper Rueben Gauci, deep into added time, enabled Marsaxlokk to savour this important morale-boosting win. Gauci plunged himself to his right to keep out Chukunyere’s goal bound header single handedly and deny Hibernians a draw, which would have been deserving after all.

In fact Marsaxlokk had to work hard for this victory yesterday in their bid to dust themselves from recent upsets with a league defeat against Sliema and the elimination from the U*Bet FA Trophy by Valletta.

The leaders created the better chances but Hibernians, who were on the back foot as early as the first minute, compensated with some tight marking and produced a high workrate that very nearly matched their opponents at the end.

Marsaxlokk had captain Carlo Mamo and Schembri missing through suspension, with Kevin Mamo and Samir Garci filling their void. Rueben Gauci was again Talbot’s pick in goal.

There was an explosive start to the match as Marsaxlokk forged ahead with only 35 seconds on the clock. Daniel Bogdanovic most probably scored this season’s fastest league goal as he netted Garci’s low cross from the right, which had caught the Hibernians’ defence square.

Despite such an early setback, Hibernians, who had Chukunyere and Pulis sitting on the bench, still looked lively in their play and allowed their opponents no comfort on the ball.

In fact scoring ideas were often stifled once either side progressed past the half-way line and neither goalkeeper needed to have been in residence for the first 20 minutes.

Then Hibernians drew level when defender Kenneth Spiteri connected to Cohen’s free-kick from the left, getting his foot to the ball before keeper Gauci.

Marsaxlokk were obliged to thread their way past the composed Hibernians defence as Sammut drifted from the right to the left flank to little avail.

But on 34 minutes, the mobile Nwoko played the ball for Bogdanovic to flick it towards Samir Garci who beat keeper Muscat at the top corner and give Marsaxlokk the lead by halftime.

The second half was more eventful as both sides took the field in more lively fashion. Marsaxlokk threatened to increase their lead and Muscat had to stretch himself to hold out Bogdanovic’s long range shot.

Soon after Hibernians put in Chukunyere for Agius, Scerri picked Doffo’s pass and unleashed a rising shot at the top corner which went tantalisingly over.

On the hour, Sciberras also tested keeper Muscat with another long drive.

On 69 minutes the game took a twist in Marsaxlokk’s favour. Substitute Cleaven Frendo fell when tackled by Spiteri inside the Hibernians’ area and Marsaxlokk were awarded a penalty which Frendo himself tucked away.

But Hibernians remained very much in the game as they pulled one back only four minutes later. Matthew Bartolo was quick to shoot in the loose ball after Cohen’s effort had been blocked by a Marsaxlokk defender.

The leaders could not relax as they even put in Doda for Garci. They threatened further when Frendo thumped his volley against the underside of the bar with the ball rebounding in play and a Pace shot which went narrowly over.

But Marsaxlokk had to survive a late scare as Hibernians went very close to clinching a dramatic equaliser but Chukunyere was thwarted by Gauci’s superb save, holding out his firm header in stoppage time.