Hibernians and Birkirkara took a point each from a direct clash between two sides in need of points in order to continue pushing in the top part of the table.
Following a 1-1 draw with surprise team M’Xlokk, Hibernians wanted to return to winning ways but were faced with a stern test named Birkirkara. On the other hand the Stripes were looking for their first win in five matches. They lost their last two matches against M’Xlokk and Mosta, matches that they started as favourites to win the maximum points.
Missing for Hibernians was Dunstan Vella who was given the marching orders in the Paolites last match against the seasiders.
This was a match between two teams lying third in the standings with the same number of points. A match between Birkirkara who have the second best defence in the league and Hibernians who can boast of the second best attack.
Birkirkara were the first to threaten through an Alex Da Paixao Alves shot which was saved by Kone. Hibernians responded through Ferdinando Apap but his acrobatic conclusion missed the target.
Birkirkara forged ahead midway through the first half when in the 23rd minute Yankam delivered a perfect cross inside the area and Osvaldo Iorio after chesting the ball fired home past a surprised Kone.
The Stripes were now holding the upper hand and before the end of the first half a diagonal shot and a more central conclusion by Paul Mbong were both saved by the Hibernians custodian.
The first action of the second half was Hibernians equalizer. It was the 58th minute when the Paolites drew level. Artiles found Degabriele whjo sent a cross towards Muritala and the latter set up Kurt Shaw and the ex-Sliema defender rifled a shot into the corner of the net.
In the 65th minute a Tulimieri free-kick for Birkirkara missed the target. And eight minutes later it was once again Hibernians when Jake Grech found Degabriele with a long pass who after making his way past Nava tried to find Muritala but in came Kurt Zammit who cleared the danger.
And on the stroke of time Nava saved the day for Birkirkara when he brilliantly saved on Mensah from close range.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina
