BOV Premier League | Hibernians 2 – Tarxien Rainbows 1

Hibernians created the first chance of the match after nine minutes. From a corner, Clayton Failla sent a cross that was met by Da Silva Pereira. The Brazilian sent a header that forced a good save from Andrea Cassar who tipped the ball behind him for a corner.

Mark Miller’s side had another good opportunity on the 20th minute. Jurgen Degabriele hit a show from outside the penalty area that went centimetres wide.

The Poalites kept on dominating possession and managed to go ahead on the 36th minute. Joseph Mbong went on a good run down the right flank and sent a cross inside the penalty area towards Degabriele. The youngster attempted a shot that was blocked. Rebound fell for  De Lima Siqueira who hit a low shot that ended up inside the net.

The Rainbows took the initiative in the early stages of the second half and managed to equalise on the 49th minute. Andrei Agius brought down Julian Galea inside the penalty area and the referee pointed towards the spot. From the eleven metres mark, Triston Caruana kept his composure and finished past Andrew Hogg.

Hibs hit back on the 54th minute when Jorge Da Silva Pereira fired a shot from distance that found Cassar on the alert. From the resulting corner, Cassar was instrumental once more as he parried Andrew Cohen’s header.

Six minutes later, Da Silva Pereira attempted another shot from distance that went over the bar.

On the 64th minute, Clayton Failla took charge of a Hibernians free kick and delivered a cross that found Agius. The Maltese defender sent a header that looked destined for the net, but Cassar dived onto his left side and parried the ball. Rebound fell for Lima Siqueira; however, the assistant referee raised his flag for an offside.

Da Silva Pereira regained the lead for Hibs on the 72nd minute. The Brazilian won possession outside the penalty area, went past a defender and fired a stunning shot that gave Cassar no chance.

Hibernians had a chance to increase the margin of the score on the 90th minute when substitute Renan Pimenta Telles went inside the penalty area and hit a low shot that was parried by Cassar.

Hibernians starting line-up: Andrew Hogg, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Jackson De Lima Siqueira, Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Joseph Mbong, Jorde Da Silva Pereira, Jurgen Degabriele, Johann Bezzina, Andrei Agius.

Tarxien Rainbows starting line-up: Andrea Cassar, Daniel Zerafa, Matthew Tabone, Sacha Borg, Alex Da Paixao Alves, Triston Caruana, Kurt Zammit, Sergio Fernandez Prendes, Dylan Micallef, Claudio Daniel Frances, Julian Galea.

Referee: Clayton Pisani

Assistant referees:  Alan Camilleri, Christopher Francalanza

Fourth official: Etienne Mangion

BOV player of the match: Jorge Da Silva Pereira (Hibernians)

Gżira vs St. Andrews

Meanwhile, at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Gżira United's poor run of results continued as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against St. Andrews. Godwin Mckay scored the all important goal for St. Andrews.