Hibernians 5

Pembroke 3

Third Division leaders Pembroke Athleta gave their hearts out yesterday against high flying Premier side Hibernians, but their efforts proved futile as they failed to spring a surprise. However they were very close even taking a 2-1 lead eight minutes from the interval.

Hibernians were worthy winners as they even hit the post on four occasions, but Pembroke surely won the honours for their five star performance and never say die approach.

Hibernians were in full command of the proceedings and pressed their opponents in their own penalty area. On ten minutes Hibernians took the lead when Edison Dos Santos headed home from close range a good cross from Edward Herrera.

Two minutes later the same Dos Santos missed a good opportunity after a good move with Andrew Cohen. On 14 minutes Pembroke surprisingly drew level. Lyden Cilia was floored inside the area by Aaron Xuereb and from the resultant penalty Matthew Borg’s shot was blocked by Bonnici, but from the rebound the same Borg shot home with the ball hitting the base of the upright before going past the goal line.

Hibs continued to push forward but were very erratic and lacked the necessary concentration against a motivated Pembroke side. And seven minutes from time the unexpected happened when Pembroke incredibly took the lead. The Hibernians defence was caught napping, Luke Bonnici charged out of position and Lyden Cilia deceived him with a precise lob that sent the Pembroke fans in raptures.

But their joy was shortlived as Hibernians drew level two minutes later when Clayton Failla scored a gem of a goal direct from a freekick from 35 meters with the ball finishing in the top corner. Two minutes from the break, Bjorn Kristensen missed a sitter blasting over the bar following a melee in front of Debattista.

On the resumption a Clayton Failla scorcher slammed against the crossbar and Pembroke went close with a Matthew Borg effort that was well saved by Bonnici. Hibs piled up the pressure and goalkeeper Debattista made a great save off a Kristensen dipper. On 58 minutes Pembroke were menacing again with a Lyden Cilia shot missing the upright by a whisker.

On the hour Hibernians hit another crossbar with a Cohen close range header, but the same player put Hibernians in front a minute later when he back heeled in the top corner of the net a Dos Santos short corner.

Hibernians went close again two minutes later when a Cohen freekick hit the upright but Edison Luis Dos Santos sealed the issue on 66 minutes when he scored the fourth from close range. But ten minutes from time Pembroke scored again, probably the best goal of the day when Carlo Leonardi found the top corner from 30 meters.

But Hibernians made it five three minutes from time, again through

Hibernians – L. Bonnici, E. Herrera, A. Xuereb, J. Pearson (R. Camilleri), C. Failla, B. Kristensen (A. Azzopardi), R. Soares, S. Pisani (S. Chircop), A. Cohen, M. Dias, L. Edison Dos Santos.

Pembroke A – R. Debattista, N. Coleiro Gatt, A. Galea (J.C. Borg), L. Cilia, V. Martinovic, C. Leonardi, M. Borg (D. Calleja Cremona), J. Mifsud, T. Naudi, R. Caruana, G. Spiteri (D. Cremona).

Referee – Mario Apap