Hibernians-Mqabba 2-0
Hibernians: A. Camilleri, C. Failla, J. Caruana, K. Cassar (K. Formosa), R. Mintoff, E. Agius, P. Doffo, T. Scerri, A. Cohen, U. Edafe (J. Vella), J. Alcorse (N. Chukunyere)
Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Busuttil, I. Nogueira, M. Briffa, F. Silva, M. Pereira, C. Calleja (J. Mintoff), J. P. Muscat (M. Bonnici), C. Gatt Baldacchino, L. Galea, D. Zarb (M. Cocks)
Referee: A. Arciola asst.refs: E. Spiteri, J. Spiteri 4th official: S. Tanti
Scorers: T. Scerri, P. Doffo
Yellow cards: T. Scerri
Player of the match: Pablo Doffo (Hibernians)
TMI top three: 1. P. Doffo 2. K. Calleja 3. E. Agius
This was a convincing first league win for Hibernians, and a deserved one too, albeit against bottom side Mqabba. The Paolites, determined to improve upon a dismal start to the new season, with only two points from three matches before kick-off, looked dominant throughout and never allowed their opponents any time to settle.
Hibernians’ build-up was both crisp and incisive, with an intelligent mixture of long and short passes. Their game outpowered Mqabba’s for the most part. Mqabba had to defend with their customery diligence and this was always going to be a keen examination of their defensive buttress.
Some very good goalkeeping by Kris Calleja kept Mqabba’s defeat to a minimum, but the newly promoted side was yesterday by far the most exerted so far this season.
Hardly a surprise, Hibernians made the more assertive start.
Scerri hit Cohen’s pass feebly soon after and then again Scerri went past Nogueira and the keeper, but his diagonal shot was off target.
On 20 minutes, Hibernians threatened further when Doffo hit Cohen’s corner first time against the foot of the post. Another Scerri shot, on Cohen’s pass, was saved into a corner by keeper Calleja.
Mqabba, who had pinned inside their own half, ventured forward past the half hour, causing some danger on the break. Pereira raced upfield and his low drive was footed out by keeper Camilleri.
With halftime looming, Hibernians finally broke the deadlock, Terence Scerri heading in Cohen’s cross from the right. It was more than the Paolites deserved in the first half.
Mqabba made a double substitution upon the change of ends, putting in Bonnici and Cocks for Muscat and Zarb, with Calleja moving up in a more advance position.
But the tide was irresistible. Mqabba spent the second half under the cosh, clinging on with increasing desperation. Only their keeper kept them into the game. He blocked Scerri, who had gone past Galea on Edafe’s pass.
On 65 minutes, Alcorse chested the ball down to Cohen, who laid it for Edafe. The latter’s drive from outside the area was blocked by Calleja.
The Mqabba keeper pulled a good reflex save soon after to hold Alcorse’s firm header on Scerri’s cross.
An unhappy-looking Alcorse made way for Chukunyere on 73 minutes. But there was no denying Hibernians on 77 minutes. Pablo Doffo seized loosed possession 30 metres out and buried a spectacular drive just inside the keeper’s top left hand post.