MSIDA SJ 2
HIBERNIANS 0
Msida SJ: M. Camilleri, P. Sciriha, C. Brincat, K. Spiteri, S. Grima, A. Farrugia (G. Dos Santos), P. Borg, D. Cachia, R. Baldacchino (A. Spiteri), P. Dos Santos Calcado (S. Vella), N. Priso Doding
Hibernians: M. Muscat, T. Fleri Soler (T. Scerri), A. Pulis, J. Caruana, C. Failla, P. Doffo, U. Edafe, A. Fish, A. Cohen, N. Chukunyere (B. Camilleri), A. Mifsud
Referee: M. Borg Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, G. Barbara 4th official: A. Azzopardi
Scorers: Priso Doding, G. Dos Santos pen
Yellow cards: R. Baldacchino, A. Farrugia, P. Doding, A. Spiteri
Player of the match: Matthew Camilleri (Msida SJ)
TMI top three: 1. M. Camilleri 2. P. Doffo 3. A. Cohen
Domination does not always equate to victory as Hibernians experienced yesterday. Against a resilient Msida SJ side, which is improving with every other game, the Paolites failed to claim maximum points their second half dominance really deserved.
Msida’s goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri, making his debut since joining the Saints in January, played a significant part in Hibernians’ downfall, displaying some superlative goalkeeping to thwart his opponents time and again.
What’s worse, Hibernians were caught by two late Msida goals which saw them succumb to their fifth league defeat, leaving them only one point above Hamrun Spartans, with the latter having a game in hand.
This was another setback for Hibernians in their bid to make it to the Championship Pool this season as they now look destined to play it all in the final direct encounter with the same Hamrun in their last match of the first phase.
Both sides had a key player missing through suspension – Tyrone Farrugia for Msida and Edmond Agius for Hibernians. The Paolites, though, gave a debut start to their recent Cameroon signing Abada Fish in midfield. Adrian Mifsud played in attack instead of the not fully fit Scerri, partnering Chukunyere.
For Msida, Kenneth Spiteri also played in defence for the first time since joining the Saints during the January transfer market.
Play lacked cohesion for the first quarter hour, although Hibernians showed the more attacking intent. When Fish ran into open space into the Msida area from the left, on Cohen’s cross, keeper Camilleri blocked.
Shots by Cohen and Doffo followed – both lacked precision. Failla’s deep teasing cross after 20 minutes found nobody to connect to it and past the half hour Cohen nearly caught the Msida defence napping but shot over.
Msida only threatened with a couple of deep Priso runs but keeper Muscat was always on the alert to avert the danger.
On the stroke of halftime, Chukunyere’s firm header on a Cohen corner kick, was well saved by keeper Camilleri.
Hibernians stepped up a gear in the second period as they pinned Msida inside their own half for long stretches.
After Cohen’s direct free kick went over, Msida defender Borg failed to clear a Failla free kick but Mifsud was unable to put his effort on target and the chance went to waste.
Towards the hour, Edafe’s header on a Cohen corner was again turned into a corner by Camilleri.
Hibernians caused more uncomfortable moments to the Saints’ rearguard, with Mifsud heading Doffo’s cross towards the middle, but the Msida defence cleared.
Msida’s custodian Camilleri then pulled a string of good saves to frustrate Hibernians time and again. He footed out substitute Ben Camilleri’s effort on a Mifsud pass and then thwarted Mifsud before turning into a corner Camilleri’s effort from the byeline.
But the danger of prolonged offensive play is the chance you can always get caught on the break. This was epitomised on the 81st minute when Pulis showed hesitancy inside his area when faced with Priso Doding, allowing the Msida striker to shoot past keeper Muscat.
Hibernians put in Terrence Scerri instead of Fleri Soler immediately but five minutes from the end, the Hibernians defence was again caught on the hop on Priso Doding’s low cross. As the ball fell to substitute Gilberto Dos Santos inside the area, he fell under Caruana’s challenge to earn his side a penalty, which he himself tucked away to put the issue beyond doubt.
Hibernins’ late efforts could have landed them a draw but the industrious Doffo was twice denied the satisfaction of goal – first by the woodwork and then by Camilleri’s spectacular single-handed save into a corner.