Hibernians-Birkirkara 1-2
Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri ( J. Pearson), E. Herrera, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, R. Hart, P. McManus, A. Cohen, T. Caruana (W. Chircop), Z. Levnaic, M. Clarke
Birkirkara: M. Bartolo, T. Cilia (A. Decesare), R. Harding, R. Muscat, T. Vella (K. Pulo), P. Fenech, A. Buhagiar, P. Borg, J. Zerafa, S. Bajada (S. Zahra), E. Lattes
Referee: A. Azzopardi Asst.refs: J. Camilleri, P. Apap 4th official: A. Arciola
Scorers: T. Vella, A. Cohen, E. Lattes
Yellow cards: A. Xuereb, A. Buhagiar, R. Muscat
Player of the match: Manuel Bartolo (Birkirkara)
TMI top three: 1. M. Bartolo 2. A. Cohen 3. J. Zerafa
Attendance: 1393
A late strike by Emiliano Lattes put Birkirkara back on the winning track yesterday as they overcame Hibernians’ stern challenge in a dramatic finish of a highly entertaining second half that eclipsed the first in terms of excitement.
Hibernians may feel aggrieved by the end result. They surely did not deserve to lose as they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession as they dominated for long stretches, created the better chances, but at the end they had nothing to show for all their efforts.
Falling behind to Birkirkara’s goal against the run of play just before halftime, Hibernians were by far the better side in the second half and managed to draw level five minutes from time. But Birkirkara clinched the winner on the stroke of full time to go top of the standings, having played one game more than Hamrun Spartans.
Birkirkara, trying to dust off their previous defeat against Floriana, were buoyed by three key players returning from suspension. Patrick Borg as centre back, Paul Fenech and Shaun Bajada in midfield, were making their first league appearances this season. Defender Vukanac was still serving his third match-ban. Even forward and captain Michael Galea was missing because of some slight injury.
Hibernians were an unchanged side from the one which drew against Valletta the previous week. That meant Herrera played in an advanced role on the flank with Ryan Camilleri as right back.
The start was a slow burner and for the first half hour, Birkirkara rarely ventured into enemy territory as Hibernians defended with caution, allowing their opponents little space or comfort on the ball.
The Paolites created half chances of their own, although they lacked decent finish. When Herrera found an opening inside the Birkirkara penalty area, he was blocked by keeper Bartolo. McManus shot a Herrera cross over and on 19 minutes McManus reached before keeper Bartolo on a long ball forward by Pulis but his headed effort was cleared by Borg.
Past the half hour, Cohen shot a free kick narrowly wide and then Clarke’s glancing header on a Camilleri freekick ended into Bartolo’s safe hands.
With half time looming and the stalemate prevailing, Birkirkara suddenly jerked into shape, looking most menacing. Clarke failed to cut a Buhagiar low cross from the right but Cilia lofted the ball from a good position.
Hibernians went close to breaking the deadlock as Cohen picked the ball from the edge of the area and drilled a shot against the bar.
The goal came on the other end though, in the half’s added time. Birkirkara took a quick free kick after Fenech was fouled wide on the left. The ball fell to Terence Vella who beat his direct opponent and shot past the helpless Muscat in the Hibernians goal.
Hibernians tried to show more urgency after the restart. On 53 minutes Herrera dribbled his way inside the Birkirkara area but shot wide. Herrera and Cohen started to combine to some telling effect on the right flank but their crosses found little support.
Birkirkara waited patiently for their chance to exploit gaps in the Paolites’ backline.
Past the hour, Bajada found space on the left. His shot was held out by keeper Muscat. Then Bajada pinned a cross on Cilia’s head but Muscat saved again.
On 68 minutes, Caruana’s goalbound effort demanded a good save from keeper Bartolo. And although he missed the resultant Cohen corner, the ball was cleared off the line.
With a quarter of an hour remaining, Hibernians put in Pearson and Chircop in a last-ditch effort to save the match.
Bartolo denied them again, tipping over the bar Cohen’s rising shot but Hibernians reaped rewards five minutes from the end. Keeper Bartolo was rendered helpless to Andrew Cohen’s rasping drive from a distance, the ball skidding on the wet surface under the pouring rain.
Many thought the two teams had settled for a fair draw. But there was still time for Birkirkara to snatch a late winner, one minute from normal time. That came after substitute Pulo ran clear on the left, crossed low for keeper Muscat to block with his feet but the ball ran loose to the unmarked Emiliano Lattes to score from close range and break Hibernians' hearts.