The Malta Independent on Sunday
Failla penalty goal enough for Hibernians
Football - BOV Premier League
place on 21 points, three behind current leaders Gzira, though Valletta, on 23 points, can again become leaders if they beat Hamrun this afternoon.
Following this defeat, Birkirkara have dropped one place – from 8th to 9th – remaining on 13 points.
In the first half, Hibernians enjoyed much more possession as Birkirkara appeared to be concentrating more on defence.
The Paolites were in command of midfield and were much more dangerous from the flanks where Dias, on the right, and Failla, on the left, were leaving their mark.
But they were unlucky as they had two shots hitting the upright and therefore Birkirkara could still breathe freely.
The Stripes never appeared to be menacing: so much so that goalie Hogg had a relatively easy 45 minutes as he was never seriously tested.
In the second half, Hibs took the lead early but when they lost Da Gracia Gomes through a second yellow card, it appeared that Birkirkara would retaliate, but it was not to be. For despite their continuous attacks, they only tested goalie Hogg seriously on one occasion and that was before they also lost Maia – dismissed as well – thus bringing both teams back on numerical parity.
The first action arrived at the Birkirkara end when Sahanek received from Degabriele, but his effort was weak and easily controlled by Schranz.
In the 16th minute, from a Lima corner, the ball arrived at Degabriele’s feet on the edge of the area, but his effort went just over. Soon after, Sahanek advanced unhindered into the Stripes area, but his shot hit the upright and rebounded out to be cleared by the Birkirkara defence.
Birkirkara’s first real attack arrived on 31 minutes when Scicluna set Grech but the latter’s fine rising shot went just over the bar. On 37 minutes, from a Kurt Zammit cross, Vukanac’s header went straight into Hogg’s grateful hands.
On the stroke of halftime, Hiber- nians were once again very unlucky not to score when Sahanek set Failla unmarked on the left flank, but his effort hit the upright with Schranz beaten all ends up.
At the start of the second half, Sahanek first timed well over the bar following a Degabriele cross.
The Paolites did not take long to take the lead, however. In the 50th minute, they were awarded a penalty when Dias was floored by Maia as he entered the area. From the resultant spotkick, Clayton Failla made no mistake.
In the 56th minute, Hibs goalie Hogg was called upon to effect his first save as he dived sideways to turn to corner a Fernandez freekick.
In the 64th minute, Hibs ended in 10 men when Rui da Gracia Gomes was shown a second yellow card and was therefore dismissed.
The Stripes enjoyed their numerical advantage only for eight minutes as Maia received a second yellow card on 72 minutes and was also dismissed.
In the 76th minute, after a fine run on the right flank, Dias crossed perfectly for Sahanek, but the latter hit over the bar when well placed.
A minute later, Birkirkara appealed in vain for a penalty when goalie Hogg rushed out of his charge to dive at Da Silva Concalves’ feet, but the official waved play on.
Till the end, the Stripes tried hard to get a leveller, but the Paolites held on to the delight of their fans.