Two good wins for Vittoriosa Stars in the space of four days belie their table position.

After beating Marsaxlokk 3-0 in the FA Trophy in midweek, the Stars yesterday disposed of Hibernians with two quick goals past the hour after falling behind through a Micallef own goal. They have thus ended a damaging sequence of nine consecutive winless matches, since they beat the same Paolites in October.

This was the second time this season that Hibernians fell victims to neighbours Vittoriosa, after also losing 2-0 in the First Round.

Yesterday’s defeat again exposed Hibernians’ limited creative options in midfield as well as their blunt cutting edge.

The first half was evenly balanced but Vittoriosa took the upperhand after the restart and won deservingly as well as convincingly.

On seven minutes Herrera advanced through the middle from the right but he was blocked by keeper Agius.

Cohen took the ball in his stride after 20 minutes and after going past two opponents, sent a low drive narrowly off target.

Four minutes later Cohen turned provider with a cross from the left. Hart failed to connect to the ball when challenged by a Vittoriosa defender inside the area.

Vittoriosa also had their chances when Leighton Grech twice was put through, beating the square Hibernians’ defence, but on both occasions was foiled by keeper Muscat, rushing out of his line to smother the danger.

Towards the end of the half, Vittoriosa had claims for a penalty turned down when Gauci looked to have handled the ball on a deep cross inside the area.

The teams went into the second half in livelier fashion. Hibernians went in front on 52 minutes, courtesy of an own goal from the Vittoriosa defender Clayton Micallef who headed a Cohen free kick from the left inside his own net as he tried to clear.

And past the hour, McManus laid a good ball for the unmarked Cohen, whose effort was deflected into a corner.

On the other end, Edison played the ball to Silva but his low drive was turned into a corner by keeper Muscat.

Vittoriosa were still alive and kicking. On 66 minutes, Edison charged through the Hibernians’ defence, played the ball for Anthony Ewurum to go past Pearson and chip the ball beyond keeper Muscat.

Two minutes later, Edison chased a long ball by Maccari and ran past Pearson who pulled him down inside the area. Luis Edison himself tucked away the resultant penalty to put Vittoriosa in front.

Hibernians were suddenly chasing the game as Vittoriosa remained menacing on the break. They even put in their recent signing Alan Tabone for Leighton Grech for the last quarter hour. Ewurum went past Camilleri and crossed from the left. Silva’s firm header was blocked by Clarke into a corner.

Hibernians also put in Jean Paul Farrugia and Adrian Pulis in the late stages. The latter knocked the ball down for Cohen, whose curling hot went tantalisingly wide.

And in added time, two Cohen free kicks were repelled by keeper Agius to preserve Vittoriosa a merited win.

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

Coach M. Miller

Vittoriosa S S. Agius, C. Micallef, M. Maccari, K. Sammut, J. Chetcuti, L. Edison, R. Grech, J. Silva, A. Ewurum, S. Wellman, L. Grech (A. Tabone)

Coach W. Muscat

Referee A. Azzopardi

Asst.refs A. Camilleri, M. Mercieca

4th official A.M. Sant

Scorers C. Micallef 52 og, A. Ewurum 66, L. Edison 68 pen

Yellow cards M. Gauci, R. Camilleri, J. Chetcuti, L. Edison, J. Pearson

Player of the match L. Edison (Vittoriosa S)

TMI top 3 1. L. Edison 2. J. Silva 3. A. Cohen