Hibernians halt Valletta’s unbeaten run as Mqabba defeat Balzan Youths

The match was full of tension as Valletta were under pressure to extend their unbeaten run to 38 matches to surpass Hibernians who have the same record.

Hibernians put the pressure on Valletta immediately as they took the lead as early as the third minute. Edward Herrera served Edison Luis Dos Santos who then tapped the ball in past Valletta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.

On the 33^rd minute, Gilbert Agius was sent off for committing a found on Andrew Cohen.

Just two minutes later, Hibernians were also reduced to ten men after Adrian Pulis received his second yellow card for a foul on Alfred Effiong.

In the second half, Valletta increased the pressure on Hibernians, but the solid defence of the Paolites kept Valletta out of their goal.

In the final minutes of the match, tensions were high as Valletta’s Steve Borg was sent off for committing a foul on Edison Luis Dos Santos. Just moments later Ryan Fenech was also sent off for passing remarks in the direction of the referee.

Two minutes in added time, Hibernians doubled the score thanks to Edison Luis Dos Santos, who scored his second goal of the match.

With Valletta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg helping his teammates in attack, Edward Herrera served Edison Luis Dos Santos who then had no problem scoring after running alone down the field.

With this victory, Hibernians move up to first place in the standings.

Edward Herrera was voted BOV Player of the Match.

In the earlier match, Mqabba came back from behind to defeat Balzan Youths 2-1.

With this result Mqabba move up to sixth place on level with points with Birkirkara.

Balzan Youths took the lead on the 60^th minute when Nikola Tasic served Miguel Ciantar who then beat Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleha with his shot.

Mqabba were back in the match on the 74^th minute when Thiago dos Santos Mazzitelli scored from close range after a bad clearance by the Balzan Youths defence.

On the 80^th minute, things started to turn for the worse for Balzan as they were reduced to ten men when Pedro Dos Santos Calcado was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Mark Anthony Psaila.

Two minutes in added time, Mqabba scored the winning goal thanks to a perfect direct freekick from Thiago dos Santos Mazzitelli which left no chance for goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri.

John Paul Muscat was voted BOV Player of the Match.