Valletta: S. Darmanin, J. Grioli (D. Zarb), M. Grima (R. Siberie), B. Nisevic, S. Bezzina, D. Camilleri, G. Agius, U. Edafe, M. Barbara, D. Falzon (K. Magro), I. Zammit

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

Referee: K. Azzopardi, Asst refs: M. Debono, K. Borg, 4th official: A. Arciola.

Scorers: M. Grima, N. Chukunyere, I. Zammit (pen), G. Agius

Yellow cards: P. Doffo, J. Grioli, C. Failla

Player of the match: Massimo Grima (Valletta)

TMI top three: 1. M. Grima 2. A. Cohen 3. G. Agius

Valleta scored two late goals to claim their second championship pool victory this season. This deserved victory consolidates Valletta’s fourth position in the table and above all gives Paul Zammit’s lads a morale boost, as Valleta have to face Hibernians again in the FA Trophy semi-final in mid May, with both sides now focussing on this match to reach at least the final.

The match never reached high standards, but was rather interesting in the second part especially when Hibernians introduced Andrew Cohen and Terence Scerri. These two undoubtedly made a radical change in Hibs’ fortunes, but Valletta’s defence marshalled by an excellent Massimo Grima, withstood the early second half pressure to emerge with flying colours late in the game.

Hibernians and Valletta are in no need of points, and the match was a sort of dress rehearsal of the forthcoming U*BET FA Trophy semi-final. Both teams had some players missing, with Andrew Cohen and Terence Scerri both on the reserves bench. Valetta had Siberie relegated to the bench a decision that gave Ian Zammit a more prominent role in attack.

The first half was played at a slow pace with both teams blocking each other in midfield. Hibernians were more aggressive in the opening minutes but Valletta made their first attempt on nine minutes with Gilbert Agius blasting over the bar.

Three minutes later Valletta took the lead in impressive manner. A Gilbert Agius corner was cleared by the Hibernians defenders with the ball coming in Massimo Grima’s path, and the City central defender unleashed a dipper from 30 metres that Mario Muscat could never save.

Valleta had some good moments with Barbara blasting over the bar following a good Gilbert Agius cross.

However Hibernians pressed forward in the last part creating some anxious moments in the Valletta rearguard. Justin Grioli almost committed an own goal when he headed backwards but Saviour Darmanin was on the alert to save.

Bartolo and Chukunyere tried hard to get things moving in attack, but the Valletta defence held on to the lead in the first half.

Robert Gatt introduced Andrew Cohen for the second period and the dangerous striker immediately came face to face with Darmanin but the City custodian managed to block.

On 49 minutes Saviour Darmanin came to his side’s rescue when he tipped into a corner a dangerous Cohen freekick.

On 54 minutes Hibernians equalised with a Pablo Doffo move who opened on the right for Kevin Cassar, whose well taken cross was headed in by Chukunyere. Minutes later coach Gatt further strengthened his attack introducing Terence Scerri.

On the hour Gilbert Agius tested Mario Muscat. Minutes later Andrew Cohen and Terence Sceri combined well but the latter shot over the bar.

Eleven minutes from time Valletta were awarded a penalty when Dyson Falzon was felled by Xuereb with the referee awarding the penalty, for a rather harsh decision. From the penalty spot Ian Zammit made no mistake.

Hibernians could have equalised immediately after but Saviour Darmanin brought the house when he denied Terence Scerri with a brilliant save. In stoppage time Gilbert Agius showed all his class beating two defenders, and also keeper Muscat with a grounder to settle the match in Valletta’s favour.