Hibernians reach for the summit
Hibernians swept to their 17th league win, swatting aside bottom-side Pembroke Athleta with plenty to spare.
And by virtue of Balzan’s defeat, the Paolites now reclaim top spot in the standings, two points above them and three above Valletta, with things really hotting up.
Hibernians had called the tune from the first whistle and went on to lord it over their opponents. They looked stronger, slicker and more imaginative, and created several chances to prove that on the scoreboard
Once Jorginho had put them in front after eight minutes, the Paolites showed why they are so far above their opponents on the league ladder.
Pembroke, who are struggling for survival, looked horribly limited.
They offered next to nothing as an attacking threat and they cannot defend that generously and expect to get away with it, especially against quality opponents like Hibernians.
Pembroke had regular keeper Matthew Calleja Cremona suspended and replaced by Argyre Roppas in goal. That was one of five changes effected by coach Artim Shakjiri, who keeps unsettling the side. Andreas Scozzese, Darren Falzon, Miguel Attard and Tyrone Fenech were all given starts yesterday.
Hibernians, who were an unchanged side, showed more bite in the tackle and a greater willingness to push forward. It took them only eight minutes to expose the problems that remain in Pembroke’s defence. Degabriele ran down the right and Jorginho towered himself to meet his cross and head past keeper Roppas.
Hibernians held the initiative and made repeated inroads up the channels. Pembroke struggled to stop them, even on relatively simple and direct balls. Failla’s powerful drive from the left forced keeper Roppas to make an agile save into a corner.
Another Failla free kick went over before Ribeiro’s shot from a distance was parried by the Pembroke keeper. Jorginho had a shot blocked and Ribeiro lofted the ball from a promising position.
Yet, for all their dominance, the Paolites had only one goal to show at halftime.
Despite dominating possession in the second half, Hibernians failed to continue creating such a sequence of clear chances after the interval.
Pembroke defended deep and compact and looked more comfortable.
On 50 minutes Degabriele’s shot from the edge of the area was repelled by keeper Roppas.
Hibernians then reaffirmed the order of things past the hour. A Dias cross from the right was fumbled by the Pembroke keeper, the ball rolled to Jurgen Degabriele who shot in from a tight angle.
Hibernians started playing with renewed belief. Roppas effected a one-handed safe off Ribeiro’s shot and after exchanging the ball with Failla, Ribeiro’s powerful drive from inside the area skimmed the side netting.
On 82 minutes, Degabriele ran for Agius’ through pass before lobbing a long ball that Roppas tipped over into a corner.
Pembroke’s defence wilted again from the ensuing low flag kick, enabling Dejan Boljevic to hit in from close range to settle this one-sided contest six minutes from time.