Birkirkara-Hibernians 0-1

Birkirkara: J. Haber, Z. Muscat (T. Vella), N. Vukanac, A. Mendoza, J. Zerafa (R. Camenzuli), E. Herrera, G. Sciberras, P. Fenech, R. Scicluna (R. Calheira), S. Shodiya, Jhonnattan Hibernians: D. Balzan, T. Tabone Desira, J. Pearson, S. Chircop, I. Radusinovic, B. Kristensen, C. Failla (J. Degabriele), O. Obiefule, L. Edison, J. Lima, J.P. Farrugia (A. Cohen) Referee: M. Spiteri Asst.refs: J. Spiteri, D. Castillo Additional asst.refs: A. Arciola, T. Farrugia Cann 4th official: C. Lautier Scorers: J. Lima 19 Yellow cards: J. Lima, P. Fenech, B. Kristensen, R. Scicluna, G. Sciberras Player of the match: I. Radusinovic (Hibernians) TMI top three: 1. I. Radusinovic  2. G. Sciberras 3. Jhonnattan Attendance: 1,537

The title race is not a foregone conclusion after all. Leaders Birkirkara were beaten by a well drilled Hibernians side yesterday and their lead at the top has been cut to only two points above Valletta, ahead of the direct clash between them next Sunday. Birkirkara dominated possession for long stretches, after falling behind early to what proved the match’s decisive goal, although the lack of conviction in front of the opposing goal was again highlighted by the directness Hibernians showed when they did come up with the occasional counterattack. For all the running, Shodiya did not have one of his better games, losing the ball cheaply on more than one occasion, though the real problem seemed to be that while Scicluna and Jhonnattan could

find each other with ease, even in tight situations, they could not find anyone in a position to take a shy at goal. This was also down to Hibernians’ discipline at the back, with their central duo of Jonatahn Pearson and man of the match Igor Radusinovic a dominant force inside their area, ably complemented by the willingness of young Timothy Tabone Desira and Scott Chircop. Lima, Kristensen and Failla covered acres of ground to enable Hibernians ab- sorb the sustained pressure, especially in the second half. Despite their good win against Balzan, coach Branco Nisevic still deemed it fit to make changes to the Hibernians side yesterday. With defender Ryan Camilleri suspended, Jonatahn Pearson re- turned in the heart of defence. Andrew Cohen was exiled to bench and Jean Paul Farrugia was given the nod in attack. Birkirkara fielded the same starting eleven who dismantled Sliema Wanderers in midweek. The match started on a high tempo with much running from both sides but little cohesion and, for the first quarter hour, there was very little action of note in either third. Then we were presented with Hibernians’ opening goal on 19 minutes. Birkirkara lost possession cheaply in midfield and their backline was caught with three against three opponents. Jackson Lima player the ball wide to Obiefule on the right and ran behind Muscat to tap in the low re- turn pass. The goal detailed the match to Hibernians’ liking as they retreated in defence and opted to strike on the counter, although unable to trouble Justin Haber, in the Birkirkara goal, anymore in the first half. The champions could move the ball around purposefully and often appearing to have a spare man. Yet Hibernians’ approach work did not lead to any openings in front of goal, just speculative long range shots from Jhonnattan and Shodiya. And when, on 38 minutes, Jhonnattan netted Zerafa’s long cross, the goal was rightly disallowed for a clear offside position. With halftime looming, Shodiya was presented with a solid chance to level matters as he ran well in- side the Hibernians’ area on a Fenech cross but Chircop just flicked the ball into a corner. Her- rera delivered a high ball inside the area but Scicluna headed over the bar. Birkirkara were dominating the game by the hour mark, with Hi- bernians rarely managing to cross the halfway line. On 58 minutes Jhonnattan ‘s meaty free kick

forced keeper Balzan to stretch himself and push the ball against the innerside of the post. On the other end, Farrugia chased a long ball inside the Birkirkara area and was chal- lenged by Mendoza  as keeper Haber missed the flight of the ball and finally Muscat headed into a corner. Lively Hibernians tried to counter eight minutes later, with Edison running down the right flank and sending a ball across the face of goal, cutting the Birkirkara defence but Obiefule was ruled offside as he tried to connect. The game headed to a frantic fi- nale, prolonged by seven minutes of added time. An insidious Jhon- nattan free kick from the left was smartly turned into a corner by keeper Balzan at the far post. And in the dying minutes, Herrera headed a long sailing free kick over the bar to the relief of the Paolites, who now move three points clear of Sliema Wanderers in third place.