Hibernians-Valletta 2-2
Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, E. Herrera (M. Tabone), A. Pulis (J. Pearson), A. Xuereb, M. Clarke, Z. Levnaic, A. Cohen, R. Hart, T. Caruana, P. McManus (W. Chircop).
Valletta: A. Hogg, S. Borg, J. Caruana (G. Agius), I. Azzopardi, R. dos Santos, J. Pace, O. Temile, , R. Briffa, D. Falzon (I. Zammit), D. Dos Santos (K. Sammut), T. Scerri.
Referee: C. Pisani Asst. refs: K. Borg, I. Debattista 4th official: A. Azzopardi
Scorers: D. Rocha dos Santos, M. Clarke, E. Herrera, T. Scerri.
Yellow cards: E. Herrera, Z. Levnaic, D. Falzon,
Player of the match: E. Herrera (Hibernians)
TMI top three 1. E. Herrera, 2. M. Clarke, 3. R. Briffa
Attendance: 2,714
The spoils were shared in yesterday’s big clash at Ta’ Qali between title chasers Valletta and Hibernians. The two sides shared four goals in a keenly contested match which, however, only came to life near the end of the first half.
The Paolites, like Valletta, had a quiet first half, but in the second half, they were simply the better team as they defended well with Matt Clarke a tower of strength. They were also well served by Edward Herrera and Andrew Cohen who were a constant menace whenever they had the ball at their feet.
Valletta lacked penetration as the Hibs defence was very much in control against the slow moving Temile and Scerri.
The first half was balanced as both sides rarely produced a decent action in front of goal until the last few minutes when the match exploded into life.
Valletta opened the scoring from a penalty, a few moments later Clark equalised for the Paolites with a strong header and then it was Edward Herrera who put the Paolites in the lead.
In the second half, Valletta insisted more in attack. The Paolites seemed to be heading for a victory until ex-Hibs striker Terence Scerri scored an equaliser for Valletta.
Valletta threatened first on 14 minutes. Off a Temile low cross, Aaron Xuereb hit the ball badly towards his own goal, but Mario Muscat was on hand to save.
On the 17th minute, Valletta protested hotly for a penalty when Scerri ended on the ground as Clarke cleared the ball in extremis. Referee Clayton Pisani was very close to the action and waved play on.
Hibs’ reply arrived on 27 minutes when a Cohen shot was blocked to a corner. Two minutes later, a fine Hibs move involving Caruana, Levnaic and Cohen ended with the latter’s grounder being saved in two attempts by Hogg.
In the 32nd minute, Muscat was a protagonist as he punched away a dangerous Denni dos Santos freekick
A minute later, Valletta’s Jonathan Caruana had to be stretchered off injured. He was replaced by veteran Gilbert Agius. This meant Steve Borg went into central defence, with Roderick Briffa moving onto the right flank.
On the 41st minute, after a Falzon incursion, Scerri appeared to have been pushed by Clarke and referee Pisani showed no hesitation in pointing to the dreaded spot. From the spot-kick, Denni Rocha dos Santos beat Muscat to open the scoring.
On the stroke of half time, Hibs were menacing through Cohen, who received a good ball from Camilleri, went round his opponent but saw his shot blocked by another City defender.
In added injury time, Hibernians equalised. It was Matt Clarke who made amends for the earlier penalty conceded when he headed strongly in a Cohen freekick.
And in their next attack, from another Cohen freekick, Hogg punched out to Edward Herrera who neatly rounded Briffa before lobbing the ball intelligently over a number of players and into the City net.
Valletta almost equalised at the start of the second half. A Falzon corner saw Muscat fumbling the ball and a City player’s shot was cleared by a Hibs defender who was standing behind the line. Valletta appealed for a goal, but the official as well as his assistant, waved play on.
On 59 minutes, from a Temile cross, Scerri headed wide when well placed. Soon after Agius set Scerri in the area, but the striker hesitated and Muscat could save without any difficulty.
On the 73rd minute, a fine sole move by Herrera ended with the youngster setting Cohen. However, the latter’s shot hit the side rigging.
When Gilbert Agius was also stretchered off injured, Valletta had to keep playing with 10 men as they had effected all three substitutions.
And for their insistence in attack, they were rewarded with an equaliser ten minutes from the end. From substitute Kevin Sammut’s corner, it was Terence Scerri who headed home.