Mosta-Hibernians 0-2

Mosta: O. Borg, A. Cini, K. Farrugia, T. Farrugia, R. Ekani Donas, K. Zammit (M. Brincat), L. Duriska (Y. de Jesus Messias), M. Micallef, C. Martins Fernandes, R. Faria Silva, B. Kaljevic.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, J. Pearson, J. Lima Siqueira, R. Soares, M. Dias (M. Bartolo), A.  Cohen (O. Obiefule), B. Kristensen (J. Bezzina), C. Failla, Z. Levniac, EL. Dos Santos.

Referee: P. Caruana.

Asst refs: W. Debattista, P. Abela.

4th official: M. Spiteri.

Scorers: C. Failla pen, 51, O. Obiefule,

Yellow cards: T. Farrugia, R. Camilleri, Z. Levniac, K. Farrugia, B. Kaljevic

Red card: R. Camilleri

Player of the match: R. Soares

TMI Top 3: 1. R. Soares; 2. B. Kaljevic; 3. C. Failla

Attendance: 757

A highly controversial penalty goal early in the second half paved the way for runaway leaders Hibernians to register a seventh consecutive victory.

And so, the Poalites’ excellent start to the season continues unabated, even if on this occasion, they only made sure of the three points in added time.

In fact, it was actually that highly dubious penalty converted by Failla that proved to be the major difference between the two teams, until substitute Obiefule scored a second goal in added injury time.

Mosta, in fact, played one of their best matches this season and gave the Paolites a good run for their money. At the end, they were unlucky to have left the pitch empty-handed.

The first half was really entertaining with both sides, especially Mosta, providing a lot of action in midfield and attack and keeping both defences busy.

Goalkeeper Mario Muscat was the great protagonist as he saved the Hibs fort at least three times with good saves.

Mosta surprised the league leaders with their direct football. Kaljevic and Faria Silva, not to mention Duriska, proved to be a handful for the Hibs defence which, at times, was at sixes and sevens.

On their part, the Paolites perhaps had more possession, especially in the first 35 minutes, but never really threatened and Omar Borg was never tested seriously.

In the second half, Hibs took the lead early through the highly controversial penalty mentioned above and when the Paolites were reduced to 10 men because of the dismissal of Ryan Camilleri, Mosta pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Hibs had to defend for long stretches, but they did their job in an organised manner and it was here that Rodolfo Soares came to the fore as he dominated the central approaches to deny Mosta on several occasions.

Mosta were first to threaten seriously when Bojan Kaljevic weaved his way past the Hibs defence, only to see his shot being blocked by Muscat.

The Hibs goalie was again a protagonist on the ninth minute when he dived sideways to turn to corner a Martins Fernandes effort.

The Paolites replied through a Lima Siqueira effort deviated to a corner by a Mosta defender. Soon after, following some good work and a cross by Dias, it was Failla who saw his effort cleared from over the line by Kane Farrugia.

Muscat was again in action in the 16th minute, turning to corner another Martins effort.

At the other end, Omar Borg did well to save a freekick from Failla, while a little later, it was Kristensen who had a 25-metre effort going wide.

On the 26th minute, a good cross by Kaljevic was cleared out to Duriska whose shot was deviated to corner.

Six minutes from the interval, Kaljevic won a heading duel with Pearson, but his effort was again blocked by Muscat to corner, the ball agonisingly landing on the net.

Just before the interval whistle, Mosta appealed in vain for a penalty when Jackson Lima appeared to have handled the ball in the area, but referee Caruana, close to the action, waved play on.

Hibernians were awarded a very controversial penalty on the 51st minute. Dos Santos was floored by Kane Farrugia just outside the area with the Hibs striker falling in the area. Referee Caruana, again close to the action, quickly pointed to the dreaded spot and after some hot protests by Mosta, it was Clayton Failla who converted in style to put Hibs in the lead.

In the 54th minute, Hibs ended in 10 men when Ryan Camilleri was shown a second yellow card and was dismissed.

On the hour, it was Ekani Jonas who won a loose ball in the Hibs area, but his effort ended wide.

Mosta threw everything in attack and launched one attack after the other, but they could not penetrate the well organised Hibs defence and Muscat was never again called into action.

In the 79th minute, from a Lima Sequeira freekick, Dos Santos saw his effort blocked to a corner by a Mosta defender.

Hibs remained calm and on the 87th minute, they almost added a second goal when Levniac’s long range effort hit the crossbar with Borg beaten.

In added time, it was substitute Obinna Obiefule who scored a second goal for the Paolites after his first shot was partially saved by Borg.