Hibernians in seventh heaven
Hibernians registered their seventh consecutive win though this was no stroll in the park with Qormi being a hard nut to crack. This resulted in a very entertaining match with chances coming at regular intervals.
The Paolites went into this match on a winning streak of six matches defeating in the process St. Andrew’s, Tarxien, Hamrun, Sliema, Mosta and Birkirkara. Following marġinali wins for Gzira and Valletta this was a must win for Hibernians in order to hold to top spot together with the Maroons and keep the Lillywhites at a distance.
Hibernians made two changes from their last match, a 2-1 win over Birkirkara, with Ntow and Bezzina replacing Tabone Desira and the suspended Kristensen.
On the other hand Qormi effecting no less than four changes with French striker Gnindokponou, Arrieta, Adamec and Gusman starting instead of Kim Seo, Camilleri, Abela and Turkovic. In their last outing the finished on the losing end against Sliema.
Qormi were more lively inside the first minutes and in the 4th minute a Gnindokponou cross shot was turned over the bar by Hogg. Hibernians replied three minutes later when Marcolino squared towards Degabriele only for his shot from inside to area being blocked on the line by Mansi.
On 9 minutes Mbong tested Azzopardi with a shot from the edge of the area with Qormi going near two minutes later. Radojevic headed short towards Hogg and in came Gusman who flicked the ball but with an empty net just missed out.
The match continued to be an open one and on 14 minutes Ntow crossed from the left flank but Fonseca’s header was saved by an alert Azzopardi.
In the 16th minute Gnindokponou’s cross found Ferreira whose volley hit the side rigging.
But the Paolites responded immediately with Marcolino once again testing Azzopardi who turned his shot into a corner. Hibernians were now pressing forward and in the 28th minute Azzopardi saved on Fonseca and from the rebound he deflected Vella’s effort into a corner.
In the 33rd minute Azzopardi was once again the saviour for his team saving on Fonseca. But he could do nothing four minutes