The Malta Independent on Sunday
Hibs extend unbeaten run to eight matches with easy win over Tarxien
Hibernians found little difficulty in disposing of bottom placed Tarxien Rainbows in the first match played at the National Stadium.
It was just a routine win for the Paolites and resembling a training session. In fact till the change of ends they were commanding a three goal lead.
The Paolites thus extended their unbeaten run to eight matches whereas for their neighbours Tarxien this was their 14th defeat out of 15 matches. For this match they had to do without the suspended Botta. For Hibernians Kristensen and Agius returned after missing their last match.
Hibernians defeated Tarxien 4-1 in the first round.
Hibernians took an early lead when after only two minutes they forged ahead. Jake Grech squared the ball for Imanol Iriberri with the Argentinian striker finding the net with a low drive.
Tarxien failed to mount a proper reaction and it was the Paolites who doubled their lead on 16 minutes. Degabriele sent a teasing cross across goal and in came once again Imanol Iriberri who was at the far post to convert with ease. And a few minutes later an acrobatic shot by Dunstan Vella was palmed onto a corner by Briffa.
On the half hour Tarxien threatened for the first time when a diagonal free kick taken by Thomas Veronese was tipped over into a corner by Jovicic.
Three minutes from the end of the first half a Degabriele corner was met by Kristensen whose header just scraped the upright.
But moments later Hibernians scored their third goal. Destin’s Mambouana blunder found Jake Grech making the best out of it and after galloping forward placed the ball past a helpless Briffa.
The initial moments of the second half were rather dull and it was only just past the hour that Hibernians went near.
Off a Grech cross from the right flank, Apap headed towards Iriberri who from an ideal position failed to find the net and could only hit the side rigging.
In the 70th minute off a Tabone Desira cross Iriberri once again fired the ball over the bar. Fifteen minutes from the end the Paolites scored their fourth goal. Beerman set Jurgen Degabriele and the latter beat Rudy Briffa with a close range shot.
Hibernians kept on dictating proceedings till the end of the match and with these three points have jumped into second place, putting more pressure on leaders Floriana, ahead of this weekend’s remaining matches. As for Tarxien Rainbows the going is getting tougher and with just a point to their credit their destiny seems that it has been sealed.