Hibernians-Birkirkara 1-2
Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, R. Soares (M. Dias), J. Lima, A. Cohen (J.P. Farrugia), B. Kristensen, C. Failla, Z. Levnaic, M. Bartolo, L. Edison, O. Obiefule
Birkirkara: J. Haber, Z. Muscat, A. Mendoza, N. Vukanac, R. Camenzuli, G. Sciberras (R. Scicluna), Jhonnattan (D. Toure’), R. Muscat, S. Shodiya (F. Temile), P. Fenech, E.Herrera
Referee: A.M. Sant
Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, L. Portelli
4th official: G. Tonna
Scorers: E. Herrera 51, Jhonnattan 59, L. Edison 65
Yellow cards: Jhonnattan, R. Scicluna, S. Shodiya, C. Failla, L. Edison, Z. Muscat
Player of the match: E. Herrera (Birkikrkara)
TMI top three: 1. A. Mendoza 2. B. Kristensen 3. R. Camenzuli
Attendance: 1416
Pace, industry and invention enabled Birkirkara to beat resilient opponents and challengers Hibernians in the top clash of the weekend. The Stripes began the day as sole leaders and spying the chance to open up a six-point gap with Hibernians in third and four above Valletta in second.
This they managed to do courtesy of well taken goals by Edward Herrera and Jhonnathan to confirm their potential and consistency. Their backline of Mendoza, Vukanac, Zach Muscat and Camenzuli was solid,almost flawless, their midfield equally productive and with Shodiya and Jhonnattan also providing energy and inspiration, they had the edge over gritty opponents who also had their moments. Suffice to say that Hibernians were twice denied by the woodwork, with Jackson Lima unlucky on both instances.
To their immense credit, Hibernians, coming on the back of two defeats from their last four matches and desperately needing a win to keep up the challenge, refused to roll over after conceding two goals. They hit one back through Luis Edison – his 13th goal of the season that takes him atop the scorers’ list. But that was too little too late to ruin Birkirkara’s festive cheer at the end.
Birkirkara had Joseph Zerafa suspended and gave a start to Ryan Camenzuli. Gareth Sciberras also started the match, with Terence Vella exiled to the bench.
Hibernians were also at full strength but coach Branco Nisevic opted to include Obinne Obiefule in attack and leave Marcelo Dias on the bench. He also tinkered with his three-man backline, composed of Soares and Levnaic and Ryan Camilleri, meaning that there was no place for Jonathan Pearson in the starting 11. Matthew Bartolo and Clayton Failla provided extra cover on the flanks whenever Hibernians retreated.
Hibernians began well, with good organisation and Kristensen and Lima prominent through the middle.
Their was the first real threat after only two minutes on the clock as Lima’s drilling shot from 25 metres out thumped against the bar, with keeper Haber beaten.
Birkirkara’s response after 12 minutes almost sent shivers down the Paolites’ spine. Jhonnattan fell inside the area on Camilleri’s challenge, but television replays showed that the Hibernians defender had neither made contact with the ball nor with his opponent. The referee booked the Birkirkarea forward for simulation.
There were some half chances at both ends with Kristensen’s shot saved by keepere Haber and an inswinging Failla free kick was palmed out by the Birkirkara custodian. When Camenzuli played a deep croos behind the Hibernians’ defence, Jhonnattan failed to connect.
The second half eclipsed the first in terms of goals and entertainment. Three minutes after the restart, Bartolo delivered aq cross from teh right, Obiefule played the ball forward for Luis Edison whose shot was blocked by Haber and Lima hit the underside of the bar on the rebound.
Birkirkara finally made the breakthrough though on 51 minutes – a goal that the match badly needed and a spectacular one too. Edward Herrera raced inside the Hibernains area down the right and volleyed Camenzuli’s long cross, leaving keeper Muscat hooked to his line.
Hibernians’ response came from a Levnaic shot narrowly missing the target. But Birkirkara struck a double blow one minute short of the hour. Shodiya won possession against Camilleri outside the area, played a through ball inside the Hibernians’ exposed defence and Jhonnattan beat Muscat with some clinical finish.
Dias made his inetry for the Paolites and on 65 minutes he chested Failla’s fre kick inside the Birkirkara area for Luis Edison to beat keeper Haber with a low drive.
That might have given Hibernians some faint hopes of saving the match but Birkirkara’s solidity at the back and their strength on the break, did not allow the Paolites any comfort on the ball.
On 81 keeper Muscat was called to hold out Shodiya’s close range effort and keep his side into the match but late frentic efforts by the Paolites were not enough to deny Birkirkara their ninth consecutive league win that keeps them cosily at the top before the festive break.