Hibernians 2

Marsaxlokk 2

Hibernians: M. Muscat, E. Herrera, R. Camilleri (M. Tabone), M. Gauci, S. Pisani, M. Clarke, J. Pearson, Z. Levnaic (B. Kristensen), R. Hart, A. Cohen, W. Chircop (A. Pulis)

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, L. Lodetti, A. Spiteri, C. Brincat, R. Galabov, G. Sciberras, F. Raimy (P. Pullicino), M. Licari, M. Deanov, R. Darmanin (T. Templeman), J. Alcorse (A. Effiong)

Referee: E. Azzopardi Asst.refs: P. Agius, M. Mercieca 4th official: A. Arciola

Scorers: G. Sciberras 15, E. Herrera 53, A. Pulis 75, A. Effiong 79

Yellow cards: C. Brincat, A. Spiteri, F. Raimy

Player of the match: E. Herrera (Hibernians)

TMI top 3: 1. R. Hart 2. M. Deanov 3. E. Herrera

Adrian Pulis for Hibernians and Alfred Effiong for Marsaxlokk went in as second half substitutes and both scored to determine their side’s entertaining draw.

The final score was a fair result with Marsaxlokk the better side in the first half, during which they took a one-goal lead, but Hibernians looking transformed after the interval to draw level and even go themselves in front. But a spirited Marsaxlokk still found enough courage to hit an equaliser and deny Hibernians a win which has been eluding them since the second day of the campaign.

Marsaxlokk gave a start to their two new recent signings, Raimy in front of the defence and Ryan Darmanin in attack, partnering Julio Alcorse. That meant coach Patrick Curmi had to retreat Licari in midfield, alongside Sciberras and Deanov in a 4-1-3-2 set up.

Effiong, Kokavessis and Templeman were exiled to the bench while Guerreiro and Mamo were suspended.

They made the more assertive start, carving out their first chance after only six minutes when Sciberras laid a square ball for Deanov inside the area. Keeper Muscat held out his close range powerful shot.

On the other end Pisani missed the target on a Herrera low cross as Hibernians tried to go out of their defensive shell.

Imposing themselves better, Marsaxlokk forged ahead on the quarter hour. Gareth Sciberras picked Alcorse’s cross from the left and beat keeper Muscat with a low angled shot.

Five minutes later, on a Deanov free kick, keeper Muscat had to stretch himself to turn into a corner Darmanin’s firm header.

But past the half hour, Hibernians had the best chance to draw level. Keeper Gauci completely missed the ball on a Herrera cross but Pisani skimmed the upright with his free header.

The Paolites survived a scare five minutes into the second half. Muscat rushed out of his area rather clumsily to clear on Deanov and missed the ball which Levnaic tried to clear but put it in Sciberras’ path. The latter went inside the area but was blocked by Pearson on the point of shooting.

But Hibernians took heart after that and restored equilibrium on 53 minutes. Hart took the ball in his stride, went inside the Marsaxlokk area with alarming ease before passing the ball to Edward Herrera to shoot past the helpless Gauci.

Pulis inclusion for Darmanin in an unusual striker’s role by the hour, gave the Paolites more impetus up front as they started to mount sustained pressure on Marsaxlokk. Cohen’s free kick was tipped over the bar by keeper Gauci and on 72 minutes Herrera clipped the underside of the bar with his firm header.

That heralded Hibernians’ best spell and on 75 minutes Adrian Pulis chased a long ball and lobbed it over the onrushing Gauci to give his side a deserved lead.

But their joy was shortlived as Marsaxlokk’s other substitute Alfred Effiong, who had gone in for Alcorse for the last 20 minutes, advanced with his pacey run from the right and as he was clear in front of keeper Muscat, he beat him with a low drive.

The goal sapped all of Hibernians’ brittle confidence and in the final minutes Marsaxlokk went three times close to winning the match. Effiong went past Tabone and Clarke but shot over before Deanov’s free kick finished wide and Effiong again headed Deanov’s cross over in added time.