Hamrun S 2

Hibernians 4

Hibernians finally halted a winless streak of 12 matches when they beat Hamrun Spartans with a spirited second half display that left their opponents chasing shadows.

Trailing 2-1 at halftime, Hibernians came back well in the second half and scored three goals without reply.

They continued where they left off against Marsaxlokk the previous week, albeit effecting some changes, dropping Adrian Pulis, Jonathan Pearson and Matthew Tabone while giving starts to Bjorn Kristensen, Matthew Gauci and Paul McManus in attack. Levnaic was dropped in central defence alongside Clarke and Hart the holding midfielder.

Hamrun were good in the first half, even after conceding Hibernians’ opener, but they faded out to near invisibility after the interval. Their defence is becoming a cause for concern after shipping in seven goals in two matches.

The Spartans were boosted by the return of Massimo Grima after suspension and Rupert Mangion also started the match in midfield. Anizoba was exiled to the bench.

Both defences looked vulnerable when under pressure as the teams’ attacking intent lent the game a flowing first half and several scoring opportunities after a barren first ten minutes.

Hibernians were the first to break the deadlock on 11 minutes. Edward Herrera took the ball in his stride, advanced on the right and beat the Hamrun keeper Borg with a diagonal rising shot.

It took Hamrun only four minutes to level matters as the Hibernians defence was caught napping as Camilleri whacked a free kick from the left, the defenders failed to clear and the unmarked Massimo Grima was left with the easiest of tasks to steer the ball over the line.

A minute later, keeper Muscat stretched himself to hold out Grima’s drilling shot and on the other end, Cohen foraged down the left. His diagonal shot was held out by keeper Borg. Kristensen picked the rebound but Borg saved again.

On the half hour, Hamrun had their central defender Hrubsa stretchered off. Bonnici moved as centre back and Aaron Attard went in as full back. That changed little tactically.

Hibernians again went close when McManus clipped the bar with the Hamrun keeper off his line.

Hamrun managed to go in front before halftime. Spiteri played a square pass to the advancing Ryan Fenech who went inside the area and beat Muscat with a low diagonal drive.

Hibernians made a remarkable comeback after the interval. Cohen’s dipping free kick forced keeper Borg into a difficult save before the Paolites equalized on the hour. Bjorn Kristensen exploited his height as he headed in Camilleri’s cross from the right.

Hamrun scored on 70 minutes but Ryan Fenech’s header on a Grima free kick was disallowed for offside.

Hart broke away from midfield, put Cohen clear but the Hibernians midfielder missed the target.

On 74 minutes, Hibernians scored their third. Herrera advanced on the right, beat Roderick Fenech’s challenge and crossed from the byeline for Paul McManus to flick the ball in.

Hamrun found little energy to make a decent reaction, even though they put in Anizoba. They only went close with a headed Pereira effort which went narrowly wide.

Ryan Fenech’s dismissal for a second caution three minutes from time completed Hamrun’s misery and to rub salt into their wounds, Steve Pisani scored the evening’s best goal on the stroke of full time. He accelerated past two opponents from the left with alarming ease, left the keeper grounded before planting the ball into an empty net. What a relief for Hibernians!

Hamrun S O. Borg, J. Vukanic, Roderick Fenech, M. Hrubsa (A. Attard), S. Bonnici, D. Camilleri (P. Anizoba), M. Grima, M. Pereira, R. Mangion, Ryan Fenech, G. Spiteri

Coach S. D’Amato

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

Coach M. Miller

Referee A.M. Sant

Asst.refs I. Spiteri, C. Francalanza

4th official M. Borg

Scorers E. Herrera 11, M. Grima 15, Ryan Fenech 41, B. Kristensen 60, P. McManus 74, S. Pisani 90

Yellow cards Ryan Fenech, M. Pereira, G. Spiteri, S. Pisani

Red card Ryan Fenech

Player of the match E. Herrera (Hibernians)

TMI top 3 1. E. Herrera 2. B. Kristensen 3. M. Grima

Attendance 750