Hibernians: A. Camilleri, K. Spiteri, A. Xuereb, J. Caruana, P. Doffo, M.

Bartolo (C. Zammit), E. Agius (T. Caruana), A. Cohen (C. Failla), N.

Chukunyere, J. Vella, A. Pulis

Msida SJ: M. Bartolo, S. Grima, R. Baldacchino, P. Scriha, J. Mifsud, S.

Bajada (K. Ebejer), D. Cachia, P. Fenech, A. Farrugia (D. Nwoke), O. Zongo, I. Babatunde

Referee: J. Attard, Asst. refs: J. Camilleri, P. Agius, 4th official: M.

Borg

Scorers: N. Chukunyere, M. Bartolo

Player of the match: Matthew Bartolo (Hibernians)

TMI top three: 1. M. Bartolo 2. O. Zongo 3. N. Chukunyere

Two late goals scored in a four minute burst gave Hibernians a 2-0 win over

Msida, a win that lifts Hibernians to fifth place, leaving Msida anchored in sixth place.

Msida confirmed that they cannot reproduce the first phase magic, although a draw would have been a fairer result. In fact Msida were always in the game, and Hibernians scored the all important goals in Msida's best patch.

However Hibernians with their dangerous players like Matthew Bartolo, Cohen and Chukunyere in good form, scored the goals that mattered to inflict the sixth defeat on Msida in the Championship Pool.

Both teams had some players missing. Hibernians had Mario Muscat, Ryan Mintoff and Clayton Failla on the reserves' bench, and Udo Nwoke missing.

Cohen and Chukunyere were Robert Gatt's weapons up front, with Matthew

Bartolo and Julian Vella on the flanks. Doffo and Agius were employed in a central midfield role. Caruana and Xuereb were Hibs' central defenders with Pulis and Spiteri on the flanks.

Like Hibernians, Msida were without their regular goalkeeper Omar Borg who was substituted by Manuel Bartolo. Msida were also without their star striker Daniel Nwoke, whose role was taken by Ibrahim Babatunde, with Zongo roaming all over the field. Adrian Farrugia and Baldacchino were as usual employed on the flanks, whilst Pio Scriha took a central role in defence.

The game had a very tame start with Hibernians showing a slight superiority, but Msida were more direct in their approach, thanks mainly to Zongo's runs.

Goalmouth actions were scarce with the first decent shot coming direct from the corner kick taken by Adrian Farrugia, with Alex Camilleri tipping over the bar. On 24 minutes Edmond Agius had acres of open space but his shot from 25 metres slightly missed the upright. The match burst to life around the half hour with Babatunde testing Camilleri. On the other Chuckunyere passed to Julian Vella whose shot was deflected by Josef Mifsud, with the ball hitting the side netting.

On 32 minutes Zongo had a good effort slightly missing the target, and Baldacchino's powerful on the left was finished with another good effort saved by Camilleri.

The second half had a slow start as well, but on 52 minutes Manuel Bartolo had to stretch himself to deflect a dangerous shot by Andrew Cohen from an acute angle, after a dazzling run by Matthew Bartolo. However Bartolo's best was brought to the fore four minutes later when he blocked with his feet a Chuckunyere shot from ten meters, following a good pass by Agius.

On the hour coach Patrick Curmi introduced Daniel Nwoke for Adrian Farrugia, and after only ten seconds the Msida striker missed a sitter in front of goal after a Zongo move on the right. Two minutes later Manuel Bartolo had to rush out of position to block Matthew Bartolo's run.

Msida were now playing better and Babatunde's first timer went straight in Camilleri's waiting hands. Fifteen minutes from time Baldacchino won a good ball in midfield but his shot was saved by Camilleri.

On 78 minutes Hibernians forged ahead when substitute Thomas Caruana penetrated the Msida rearguard and crossed to Chukunyere who headed homefrom close range. Four minutes later Hibs dealt Msida the killer blow whenMatthew Bartolo, put through by Andrew Cohen, rounded off the keeper before planting the ball in an empty net. It was the end of Misda's hopes as they never recovered to leave the field empty handed.