Hibernians gained a good win over leaders Birkirkara when they beat them by two goals to nil in the first match played at the National Stadium. This result means that Birkirkara's chances of finishing in the top spot at the end of the opening round are still in the balance.

This win left the Stripes in top spot but if Floriana win on Tuesday against Sliema Wanderers they will join them on 32 points. Hibernians keep holding on fourth place with 27 points in their bag.

On 23 minutes came Hibernians first chance with Henrique Pedro set up Falcone in the opposing area but his diagonal shot was well saved by goalkeeper Volpe.

Two minutes later Hibernians broke the deadlock. It was a Jurgen Degabriele corner which perfectly found Rodrigo Fraga who completely unmarked found no difficulty in finding the net.

Till the end of the first half neither team threatened with Hibernians holding on to their slender lead.

In the 63rd minuta Birkirkara had a chance to draw level when off an Andrea Zammit corner the ball came into Augustin Sandona's path whose shot hit a defender with goalkeeper Sacco palming into a corner.

Sacco was once again on the alert when ten minutes from time he saved an Ignacio Morello shot from just inside the area.

On 90 minutes it was Shaun Dimech's turn to test goalkeeper Sacco who save with ease his shot from just outside the area.

With the Paolites sealing the issue in added time when his fierce shot hit the woodwork before ending in the net.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina