Sirens 2
Hibernians 1
Sirens: D. Cassar, W. De Oliveira (R. Fenech 81'), R. Dos Anjos, E. Okoye, S. Arab (L. Sciberras 68'), A. Bustos, A. Borg (D. Sant 90'), A. Abdullahi, E. Cesani, T. Espindola, F. Cheveresan
Hibernians: M. Jovicic, F. Apap, L. Barbosa De Silveira (T. Groothusen 41'), J. Mbong, J. Grech, B. Kristensen, D. Vella (T. Desira Tabone 90'), C. Atsina (M. Beerman 57'), A. Izquier, A. Agius, L. Nanni
Referee: Darryl Agius
Ass. Referee: Duncan Sultana, Darko Stankovic
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Scorers: T. Espindola 9', F. Cheveresan 54', D. Sant 95' og
Yellow cards: E. Cesani 28', L. Barbosa 37', A. Bustos 43', A. Abdullahi 45', J. Mbong 51'
Player of the match: Thiago Espindola (Sirens)
TMI Best Three; 1. A. Borg 2. L. Nanni 3. T. Espindola
Steve D'Amato's newly promoted Sirens continued to impress yesterday beating Sirens by the odd goal in three to gain the second successive win of an unexpected start to the season.
Sirens deserved the victory even though they faded out completely in the last twenty minutes of the game giving way to Hibernians' strong comeback. The Paolites however left it late, maybe a bit too late missing some scoring chances and hitting the woodwork twice before scoring a consolation goal deep in stoppage time.
However till half through the second half Sirens were the better team, very disciplined at the back with goalkeeper Cassar and defenders Adrian Borg and Dos Anjos playing a blinder. Their fast breaks were a headache to the Hibernians's rearguard, but tin the last phase D'Amato's boys lost shape and composure and risked losing everything they had deservedly acquired.
Sirens took the lead in the first dangerous move of the game when a Thiago Espindola curled freekick from the right was missed by all, with the ball eventually deceiving Jovicic and finishing in the top corner of the net.
Hibernians had an immediate reaction and a minute later the Sirens defence managed to scramble the ball to safety after a melee in front of goal. But apart from this Hibernians could do much against a well organised Sirens side and the Paolites struggled.
On 28 minutes Andrei Agius managed to head towards goal from a corner action but his header was saved by Cassar. Six minutes later Bjorn Kristensen tried his luck from the edge of the area but his effort went wide.
On 38 minutes Espindola tested Jovicic from a long distance freekick, and on the other end Nanni's central drive was easily blocked by Cassar. Two minutes from the break Apap rose well but his header was easy prey for Cassar.
At the start of the second half a Nanni deflected drive just missed the upright, but on 54 minutes Sirens doubled the score with a fast break that caught the Hibs defence on the wrong foot and Flavio Cheveresan sped froward to beat Jovicic.
On the hour Hibernians were unlucky when a Bjron Kristensen header from a corner action skimmed the crossbar with Cassar helpless. Five minutes later the Sirens defensive left flank was caught on the wrong foot and Jake Grech's deep run was only stopped by a brilliant Cassar save.
Hibernians continued to attack and a Nanni shot on the turn just missed the crossbar. On 72 minutes a good Jake Grech move, serving fellow Malta international Dunstan Vella who shot over the bar.
Hibernians were now in full forcing and Dunstan Vella hesitated in front of goal missing a glorious chance. Sirens were struggling and running out of gas. An Mbong effort just missed the crossbar and on 90 minutes Nanni dribbled past the goalkeeper but his effort was cleared off the goal line by Adrian Borg who was injured in this action and had to be substituted.
In stoppage time Hibernians hit the post for the second time in the match when Groothusen's close range drive finished against the upright. Deep in stoppage time Hibernians managed to pull one back when a Grotthusen shot was partially saved by Cassar with the ball hitting defender Sant before finishing at the back of the net.