Narrow derby win moves Hibs closer to Gzira

A narrow 1-0 lead over Cottonera rivals Senglea Athletic yesterday evening enabled champions Hibernians to move momentarily into second place in the standings.

A Dunstan Vella strike on 13 minutes proved to be the winner for the Paolites who, however, were mostly unimpressive.

This derby match, played in front of new national coach Tom Saintfiet, left a lot to be desired, but at the end, Hibernians deserved their win, especially after showing so much superiority during the second period.

In the first half, as was widely expected, it was the Paolites who took the initiative and eventually took a deserved lead.

But Senglea were in no mood to throw in the towel. In fact, they retaliated and pressed for an equaliser. Hibernians covered well at the back with the experienced Agius and Soares well in command and goalie Hogg never appeared seriously bothered as the yellow reds proved to be ineffective up front.

In the second half, the Paolites took complete command of midfield and kept Senglea in their own half for long stretches.

But despite their superiority, the Paolites failed to add more goals to their tally and Senglea remained in contention, even if they also failed to test goalie Hogg.

Hibernians took the initiative from the first minute and contrived to miss some half chances before eventually taking the lead in the 13th minute, when from a Failla corner, it was Dunstan Vella who headed goalwards, the ball hitting a defender on its way into the net.

Senglea’s reply came in the 17th minute when Terence Vella advanced on the right only to his badly and wide from the edge of the area.

In the 27th minute, Hibs almost added a second when a long distance Sahanek shot almost deceived goalie Aquilina, but the Senglea keeper managed to turn to corner.

Senglea threatened to equalise on the 30th minute when off a Terence Vella pass, Matias Garzia saw his full-blooded shot hitting Rodolfo Soares. Four minutes later, from a Paz corner, it was defender Uyi who headed badly and wide from an ideal position.

Paz was again a protagonist on 38 minutes. He went past two players in the Hibs area, but his low shot was easy prey for Hogg.

In the 54th minute, it was goalie Aquilina who denied Degabriele, turning to corner a fine effort from the right. Soon after, off a Jorge dos Santos pass, Failla hit the ball just over the bar from an angled position.

As the champions insisted on attack, it was Dunstan Vella who tested Aquilina, but the Senglea custodian was equal to the task.

On the 77th minute Hogg was called into action to stop an Ivan Paz freekick. And at the other end, it was Degabriele who received a good ball from Bezzina, only to hit wide when ideally placed.