Hibernains 2

Marsaxlokk 1

Two first half goals in the first half hour were enough for Hibernians to register their first win of the season against Marsaxlokk, who ended up with ten men after Templeman was given his marching orders after a brawl.

After their thrilling 3-3 draw against Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians were looking to gain some more points against a resurgent Marsaxlokk side who on their part were looking for a repeat performance of their 5-2 thrashing of Mosta. Both sides were playing with full teams with Marsaxlokk relying on the speed and vision of Lattes up front while the Paolites were choc-a-block full of foreigners who were also hoping to make a good impression.

The match started quietly with both sides studying each other and the first chance came on 4 minutes when Cohen slipped into the box and concluded with a low shot easily saved by Gauci. Hibernians took the lead on 18 minutes when Dos Santos slipped into the box after a fine through pass and easily concluded into the net.

Hibernians scored their second goal on 27 minutes when Triston Caruana was put through by Cohen and easily beat keeper Gauci with a low shot. But Marsaxlokk came back in it on 43 minutes when Obinne Obifuele managed to anticipate Muscat with a cool lob.

Marsaxlokk started slightly stronger in the second half but the first chance came to Hibernians through Cohen who created some space but shot well over from close range. The match contained precious little goalmouth action until the 65th minute when a brawl ensued between several players and Templeman got himself sent off for retaliation.

On 70 minutes, Hibernians should have gone 3-1 up when Dos Santos fired a scorcher which rebounded off the crossbar. On 82 minutes, Hibernians had another glorious chance when a cross by Herrera almost found Dos Santos who however could not conclude from close range. Hibernians remained in control after that and could have added to their tally but still ended up easy winners.

Hibernians : M Muscat, R Camilleri, D Balbinot, R Soares, A Pulis, B Kristensen, S Pisani, C Failla, T Caruana (E Herrera), A Cohen, E. Luiz Dos Santos

Marsaxlokk: R Gauci, C Mamo, P Borg (D Kokavessis), S Eboh, C Brincat, F Raimy, C Compagnoli, T Templeman, E Lattes (JP Farrugia), M Deanov (M Licari ), O Obifuele

Referee: Chris Lautier

Scorers: L. Edison 18, T. Caruana 27, O.Obifuele 41

Yellow cards: Pisani, P Borg, O Obifuele, C Mamo, Barbosa

Red card: Templeman

Player of the match: E Dos Santos (Hibernians)

TMI top 3: 1.L. Edison Dos Santos 2. A. Cohen 3.O. Obifuele