Birkirkara lose precious points as Hibernians defeat Sliema

Sliema Wanderers 2
Hibernians 3

This victory put Hibernians on top of the BOV Premier League standings on 39 points, level with Birkirkara. Both Hibernians and Birkirkara remain six points ahead of Valletta, who still have a game in hand.
Hibernians, knowing that Birkirkara played to a goalless draw against Mosta earlier, started the came on the attack searching for an early goal.
Sliema took the pressure from Hibernians and managed to take the lead on the 27th minute. A perfect shot by Shaun Bajada left no chance for goalkeeper Mario Muscat.
Sliema scored their second goal just before half-time on the 41st minute. Matias Muchardi served Miguel Ciantar who then went on to beat Muscat to make the score 2-0.
Hibernians started the second half on the attack again and produced a number of goal scoring opportunities.
On the 53rd minute, Clayton Faila had his powerful shot from close was deflected by goalkeeper Glenn Zammit into a corner.
From the corner kick, Adrian Pulis had his header cleared of the goal line by Sliema's Baldacchino.
Hibernians managed to close the gap on the 66th minute. Off a corner by Jackson Lima, Jonathan Pearson headed the ball past goalkeeper Glenn Zammit.
Hibernians managed to score the equaliser on the 78th minute thanks to a goal by Jackson Lima.
On the 80th minute, Sliema were unlucky when Mark Scerri's long powerful shot hit the woodwork.
On the 82nd minute, Hibernians were awarded a penalty shot when Alex Muscat brought down Obinna Obiefule inside the area. From the penalty spot, Clayton Failla beat goalkeeper Glenn Zammit with his shot to secure his team the important points.
Clayton Failla was voted BOV Player of the Match.

SLIEMA WANDERERS: Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat, Luca Martinelli, Stanley Ohawuchi, Paltemio Barbetti, Mark Scerri, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Ivan Woods (11' Miguel Ciantar) (63' John Mintoff), Shaun Bajada, Matias Muchardi (86' Alain Faccini), Stefano Bianciardi.
Subs not used: James Abela, Luigi Ruggiero, Alain Faccini, Josef Mifsud, Beppe Muscat.
Coach: Alfonso Greco
Asst. Coach: JoJo Bajada
Goalkeepers' Coach: Roderick Agius

HIBERNIANS Mario Muscat, Ryan Camilleri, Adrian Pulis, Jonathan Pearson, Zoran Levnajic (46' Obinna Obiefule), Bjorn Kristensen, Marcelo Dias, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Andrew Cohen, Clayton Failla, Edison Luis dos Santos (90+2' Allan Kardeck dos Santos).
Subs not used: Daniel Balzan, Jean Paul Farrugia, Keith Tanti, Johann Bezzina, Brandon Muscat.
Coach: Michael Woods
Asst. Coach: Darren Abdilla

Referee: Chris Lautier
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Thomas Debono
Fourth official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Yellow Cards: Tarabai, Zammit, Scerri, Failla, Lima, Muscat
Scorers: 27' Shaun Bajada, 41' Miguel Ciantar, 66' Jonathan Pearson, 78' Jackson di Lima Siqueira, 82' Clayton Failla

Mosta 0
Birkirkara 0

In the first match of the day, Birkirkara were frustrated by Mosta in a goalless draw.
Mosta managed to earn their first point after eight consecutive defeats, while Birkirkara lost two precious points.
On the 14th minute, great work by the Mosta defence denied attempts on goal by Jhonnattann and Mifsud Triganza.
Mosta's Bryan Agius went close to scoring on the 37th minute, but his shot was turned into a corner by Justin Haber.
On the 38th minute, Mosta were reduced to ten-men after Danail Mitev was sent off after referee Fyodor Zammit saw the latter hitting Zach Muscat.
For the rest of the match, Mosta defended well not leaving any chance for Birkirkara to take the lead.
Jeffrey Farrugia was voted BOV Player of the Match.

MOSTA Jeffrey Farrugia, Ferdinando Apap, Tyrone Farrugia, Bryan Agius (69' Jonathan Bajada), Manolito Micallef (78' Bruno Chikwadu Mbonu), Ryan Grech, Danail Mitev, Kurt Magro, Alex Cini, Carlos Campagnoli, Fabio Vignaroli (90+1' Steve Bezzina).
Subs not used: Noel Attard, Samuel Kehinde, Adrian Farrugia, Kurt Zammit
Coach: Danilo Doncic
Asst. Coach: Mark Vella

BIRKIRKARA Justin Haber, Yosimar Hernandez (64' Ryan Camenzuli), Harun Shola Shodiya, Nikola Vukanac, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao, Gareth Sciberras, Joseph Zerafa (75' Joselito dos Reis), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Ryan Scicluna, Zach Muscat, Edward Herrera.
Subs not used: Reuben Gauci, Ini Etim Akpan, Godwin Mckay, David Spiteri, McAllister Clinch.
Coach: Paul Zammit
Asst. Coach: Peter Pullicino
Goalkeepers' Coach: Simon Grech

Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Albert Borg Cardona
Fourth official: Andre Arciola
Yellow Cards: M. Micallef, Z. Muscat
Red Cards: 38' Danail Mitev