Vittoriosa 1

Hibernians 0

Vittoriosa Stars, who had been keeping relegation at arms-length for the whole season, were yesterday handed a lifeline by Jorge Silva’s winner against Hibernians.

Their survival of course still hangs on a thread, as they now close the gap to five points on Qormi above them and hope that the latter fail to win against Sliema Wanderers this afternoon, with two matches left.

Injuries and suspensions deprived Vittoriosa of their two central defenders Steve Wellman and Jeffrey Chetcuti as well as Brazilian forward Luis Edison. Coach Winston Muscat, back on the bench after suspension, had to tamper with his line-up, deploying Jonathan Xerri and Compagnoli at the back.

Dino Cachia was also given a start in midfield with Ewurum and Leighton Grech forming a tandem in attack.

With safety already secured, Hibernians were out to maintain their hundred per cent record in the Relegation Pool with a fourth consecutive win. They were also forced to make changes in defence due to the suspended Ryan Camilleri and Aaron Xuereb, as they also rested keeper Muscat, Cohen and Hart. Daniel Balzan, Bjorn Kristensen, Matthew Tabone, Brian Fairbairn and Triston Caruana were all given starts instead.

Hibernians went close in the opening minutes. McManus went inside the Vittoriosa area but his shot was easily saved by keeper Vella. And on a Fairbairn cross, Pearson thumped his effort against the upright.

The goal came on the other end though after eight minutes. Jorge Silva rose above a static Herrera to connect well to Ewurum’s cross from the right and head past keeper Balzan at the far post.

Hibernians were forced to regroup. On 20 minutes Pearson’s headed goal was disallowed for offside and then Herrera failed to put his shot on target.

Vittoriosa threatened again on the half hour. Leighton Grech dispossessed Pearson and ran clear. His powerful shot was parried by keeper Balzan but Kristensen felled Silva on the edge of the area as he was about to pick the loose ball. The latter hit his free kick narrowly wide.

And for the remainder of the half, Vittoriosa’s slick passing frustrated Hibernians who struggled to keep their composure.

Hibernians began to rake several crosses inside the Vittoriosa area in the second half to exploit the height of McManus, Caruana and Herrera, but remained utterly erratic in front of goal.

On 56 minutes they introduced Cohen for Taki and later Clarke for Pulis.

On 67 minutes, keeper Vella repelled Osei’s blistering shot from outside the area.

Vittoriosa kept roaming in open spaces and on 76 minutes Ewurum went past Pearson but the keeper rushed off his line to smother the danger.

With ten minutes remaining, Fairbairn was put clear by Cohen but shot horrendously wide to confirm the Paolites’ off day.

Silva should have put the issue beyond doubt for Vittoriosa in the dying minutes with two successive efforts, blocked by the keeper and a defender.

Luckily his early goal left Vittoriosa still hoping.

Vittoriosa S: J. Vella, P. Aquilina, J. Camilleri, C. Compagnoli, J. Xerri, M. Maccari, D. Cachia, R. Grech, J. Silva, A. Ewurum, L. Grech

Coach: W. Muscat

Hibernians: D. Balzan, E. Herrera, M. Tabone, J. Pearson, A. Pulis (M. Clarke), B. Kristensen, P. Osei, A. Taki (A. Cohen), B. Fairbairn, T. Caruana (M. Gauci), P. McManus

Coach: M. Miller

Referee: G. Tonna

Ast. Refs: P. Agius, I. Spiteri

4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorers: J. Silva 8

Yellow cards: B. Kristensen, A. Pulis, D. Cachia, R. Grech, J. Pearson, P. Aquilina

Player of the match: A. Ewurum (Vittoriosa S)

TMI top 3: 1. C. Compagnoli 2. A. Ewurum 3. P. Osei

Attendance: 201