Hibernians 4

Qormi 3

Michael Mifsud scored his second goal on 83 minutes to put Qormi 3-1 in front, as the Yellows seemed heading for a victory over Hibernians. But the Paolites staged an incredible recovery in the remaining minutes to win this incredible match 4-3.

With both sides almost free from relegation worries, the match resulted in a spectacular affair with endless scoring chances for both sides in front of a meager crowed that dared the cold March evening at Ta’ Qali.

Hibs did the early pressure but the first attempt came from Michael Mifsud who shot well over the bar. Michael Mifsud was a constant menace in the opening minutes as he repeatedly beat the Hibs offside trap, but Aaron Xuereb made some exceptional recoveries.

On 12 minutes a good Qormi move with Sciberras opening towards Chetcuti whose pass found Michael Mifsud unmarked in the heart of the penalty area but his shot went slightly off target. But Qormi were not to be denied and on fifteen minutes they forged ahead when Michael Mifsud raced to a Cleaven Frendo long ball and the Malta captain made no mistake in front of Mario Muscat.

Hibs were unable to settle down as Qormi controlled their sterile reaction. On 28 minutes Michael Mifsud went close to scoring an incredible goal from mid pitch, but Mario Muscat recovered in time. Qormi increased their tempo and Aaron Xuereb came to Hibs’ rescue, almost committing an own goal to stop a Frendo dangerous cross shot.

On 32 minutes Hibernians created their first and best chance when Paul McManus met an Edward Herrera low cross but his effort was miraculously blocked by Matthew Farrugia. Six minutes later Hibernians went very close when Andrew Cohen’s freekick came Taki’s way, but his first timer hit the base of the upright with Matthew Farrugia helpless.

Hibernians played better in the last minutes and went close again with an Aaron Xuereb header going just over the bar following an Andrew Cohen corner. On the other end Mario Muscat saved in two attempts a dangerous Souza Santos cross shot.

Hibernians continued on the same wavelength on the resumption with Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia saving his side with a brilliant save, off a McManus angled shot. However on 54 minutes Mario Muscat was completely deceived when a Cleaven Frendo long distance low freekick finished at the back of the net.

Four minutes later Paul McManus should have pulled one back but he shot incredibly wide from less than a meter, following a good Edward Herrera run. Hibernians did not throw in the towel but left ample spaces at the back with Mifsud again testing Muscat in a fast break.

On 69 minutes Joseph Chetcuti failed to beat Muscat when all alone in front of goal, and Qormi paid dearly for this lapse as at the other end Karamanolis handled the ball when he slipped in an attempt to clear the ball, and from the resultant penalty Taki scored in style his first goal of the season.

A minute later Qormi were unlucky not to re-establich their two-goal lead when a Vendelannoite header smashed against the upright. Goal mouth actions kept coming in quick succession and Matthew Farrugia tipped into a corner a Cohen shot and from the resultant corner the same Farrugia almost committed an own goal when he fumbled the ball.

Seven minutes from time Qormi put their minds at rest when Michael Mifsud scored a beauty from the heart of the penalty area with the ball smashing against the crossbar before finishing at the back of the net. But it was not over yet. On 87 minutes Paul McManus was floored by Kang with referee Caruana awarding Hibs their second penalty of the game, and the same McManus made no mistake with a low shot.

The final minutes were breath taking with Hibernians pushing everything forward and Souza Santos missing a glorious chance. But in the second minute of stoppage time Richie Hart obtained a dramatic equalizer with a shot from the edge of the area. It was not over as Hibs scored a dramatic winner on 94 minutes when Andrew Cohen blasted home a beauty from the edge of the area.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, A. Xuereb, A. Pulis, J. Pearson (B. Kristensen), P. Osei, R. Hart, A. Taki (M. Clarke), E. Herrera, A. Cohen, P. McManus

Qormi: M. Farrugia, J. Vandelannoite, S. Giglio, R. Karamanolis, M. Mifsud, J. Chetcuti, M. Bartolo (G. Buttigieg), L. Sciberras, C. Frendo, H. Kang, J. Souza Santos

Referee:P. Caruana,

Ass. referee: A. Camilleri, C. Francalanza

4th official: T. Farrugia Cann

Scorers: M. Mifsud 15 , C. Frendo 54 , A. Taki 70 pen, M. Mifsud 83, P. McManus 87 pen, R. Hart 92 , A. Cohen 94

Yellow cards: L. Sciberras, A. Xuereb,

Player of the match: J. Vandelannoite

TMI top 3: 1. J. Vandelannoite 2. M.Mifsud 3. A. Cohen

Attendance: 531