Paola H 1

Hamrun S 0

Paola Hibs were slightly better than Hamrun in this action-packed game. Hamrun also had their good moments as they created many occasions but they lacked the finishing touch in front of goal.

The first occasion was created by Hamrun as Jake Grech served Luke Galea with a through ball and Hibs keeper Mikail Sciberras had to come out of his charge and kick the ball upfield.

The Paolites reacted and from a free kick by Daniel Buckle, Brincat served Essien J Mbong in the area and Spartans keeper Matthew Taliana denied him with a diving save.

In a reaction by Hamrun, Galea released Grech on the right flank and Sciberras neutralised his cross-shot with a diving save.

In the last action before the break, Jean C De Giorgio served Mbong with a through ball but Seymour Micallef foiled him with a perfect and timely tackle.

The Paolites enjoyed the lion’s share of the exchanges after the resumption. Brincat served Ayrton Dimech with a perfect cross from the left and he missed the upright by inches from outside the area. The same player served Mbong with a through ball but the latter drove over the bar from outside the area.

Hibs opened the score in the 41st minute when Brincat served De Giorgio in the area and he scored with a hard diagonal drive .

Barely two minutes later, Mbong nearly doubled as he missed the upright by inches from outside the area after dribbling past an opponent.

Hamrun then won a corner kick on the right flank which was taken by Grech and created havoc in Paola’s area but somehow the ball was cleared to safety.

In another Paola attack, Mbong was fouled outside the area and Buckle missed the bar by inches from the free kick.

In a last fling by Hamrun, substitute Joyfred Farrugia was fouled on the right flank and from Galea’s free kick the ball was cleared to a corner.

Referee: Triston Farrugia Cann                 

Player of the match: Matthew Brincat (Paola H)