Hibernians-Qormi 2-1

Hibernians: M. Muscat, K. Tanti, R. Soares, R. Gomes, M. Dias, A. Cohen (T. Tabone Desira), B. Kristensen, J. Bezzina (J. Lima), C. Failla, L. Edison, Jorginho (J. Degabriele)

Qormi: M. Farrugia, J. Bondin, M. Mazzetti, E. Vella, D. Pisani, R. Sammut, J. Chetcuti (R. Micallef), Z. Levnaic, A. Bruce (B. Bondin), A. Effiong, F. Temile (P. Viggiani)

Referee: C. Pisani Asst.refs: M. Scerri, L. Portelli Additional refs: C. Lautier, M. Spiteri 4th official: R. Vella

Scorers: A. Effiong 5 pen, L. Edsion 29, 88 Yellow cards: A. Effiong, R. Sammut, B. Kristensen, F. Temile, D. Pisani, M. Dias Red card: R. Soares

Player of the match: L. Edison (Hibernians)

TMI top 3: 1. L. Edison  2. F. Temile 3. D. Pisani  Attendance: 1,341

Hibernians showed character with this second win on the trot, that keeps them top of the standings with Birkirkara

and Mosta, as they played for almost the entire game with ten men, follow- ing the fifth-minute dismissal of their central defender Rodolfdo Soares. A man and a goal down, the Paolites still found the required energy to squeeze life out of Qormi, who started brightly but then wilted out completely against more experienced opponents. Hibernians’ only change in their line- up yesterday was the starting berth for goalkeeper Mario Muscat, making his 500 appearance in the Premier League. Reaching this milestone, the former in- ternational Malta goalkeeper was awarded with mementos from the MFA, club president Tony Bezzina and from the Hibernians’ supporters’ club before kick off.

Qormi intoduced a new foreigner, Albert Bruce from Ghana, who played as a wide midfielder. Most of their attacks were fashioned down the right flank, with Duncan Pisani providing most of the delivery for front runners Frank Temile and Alfred Effiong. Qormi could not have dreamt of a better start. With hardly five minutes on the clock, Temile was bundled by Soares as he raced inside the Hiberni- ans area. Qormi were awarded a penalty and the Paolites’ central defender was also dismissed.

When Alfred Effiong tucked away the penalty, it looked an uphill struggle for Hiber- nians. Keeper Muscat repelled Temile’s shot soon after as Qormi were riding the crest. But gradually Hibernians started to find pace and rhythm of their own. Midway through the half a Cohen free kick sailed just over.

Short of the half hour, Hibernians levelled matters. Luis Edison ran in for Jorghino’s through ball and drilled a low diagonal shot past the helpless keeper Farrugia. On the other end, Temile went close to restoring Qormi’s lead. His headed effort  was superbly turned into a corner by keeper Muscat.

Hibernians themselves could have also ended the half in front but Luis Edison twice missed narrowly the target with his headers, off crosses by Dias and Cohen. Play degenerated in the second half, with Qormi unable to exploit their nu- merical superiority and Hibernians, replacing Bezzina with Jackson Lima in midfield, were able to disrupt what rhythm their opponents could muster. It was time fror Qormi to put in a third forward, new recruit from Rabat Ajax, Ryan Micallef on 74 minutes.

Micallef tested keeper Muscat with a low tame drive from a distance. Qormi messed up their second sub- stitution ten minutes from time. The official’s board showed Pietro Viggiani’s number going in for Duncan Pisani, meaning that Qormi had six foreigners on the pitch at one time. The scoreboard however indicated Temile’s name as the player to be substituted, and after some arguments by the Qormi officials on the touchline, Temile made way for Viggiani.

It was a chaotic ending that brought about Hibernians’ winner two minutes from normal time. Luis Edison showed all his ruthlessness in front of goal, hitting in a long ball at the near post to ren- der keeper Farrugia and Qormi helpless.