BOV Premier League | Hibernians 1 – Birkirkara 0

Hibs created the first chance of the match on the 16th minute. Jurgen Debariele received the ball inside the penalty area and hit a shot that went over.

A minute later, the Paolites were denied by the post. Marco Sahanek was played through on goal and attempted to finish inside the bottom corner, but his shot hit the woodwork.

Birkirkara replied on the 31st minute. Ryan Scicluna sent a long ball in the direction of Jake Grech whose volley went slightly over.

Three minutes later, Cain Attard went on a good run down the right flank before firing a shot that failed to hit the target.

Two minutes from half time, Sahanek served Degabriele and the latter hit a shot from the edge of the penalty area that went wide.

The post denied Hibernians once more on the 45th minute. Clayton Failla sent a low shot from distance that hit the post.

Hibs started the second on the attack and had a good opportunity on the 48th minute. Degabriele sent a cross in the direction of Sahanek whose close range shot went well over.

Mark Miller’s side finally forged ahead on the 52nd minute.  Lucas Maia floored Rodolfo Soares inside the penalty area and the referee pointed towards the spot. Failla took charge of the spot kick and finished past Philip Schranz.

The stripes hit back three minutes later. Bruno Fernandez De Brito hit a shot from a free-kick that was saved by Andrew Hogg.

Hibernians suffered a setback on the 64th minute when Da Gracia Gomes was sent off after being shown his second yellow card.

However, Hibs only played nine minutes with a player less as Maia of Birkirkara was also shown his second yellow card on the 73rd minute.

Sahanek went close to increase the margin of the score for Hibs on the 76th minute. The Austrian player received the ball inside the penalty area and hit a shot that ended up over.

In the remaining minutes, Birkirkara failed to threaten Hibernians as the Paolites held on for an important win.

Hibernians starting line-up: Andrew Hogg, Rui Da Gracia Gomes, Jurgen Degabriele (Jorge Elias Dos Santos – 71), Dunstan Vella, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Clayton Failla, Johann Bezzina (Joseph Mbong- 84), Jackson De Lima Siqueira, Andrei Agius, Marco Sahanek (Marco Filho Morgon – 79)

Birkirkara starting line-up: Philip Schranz, Cain Attard, Nikola Vukanac, Lucas Maia, Mislav Andelkovic, Ryan Scicluna (Ayrton Attard – 87), Jake Grech (Luke Montebello – 67), Carlos Alberto Da Silva Concalves Junior, Bruno Fernandez De Brito, Kurt Zammit, Fabiano Montero De Oliveira

Referee: Matthew Degabriele

Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Sammy Attard

Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann

Yellow Cards: Jake Grech (Birkirkara), Rui Da Gracia Gomes (Hibs), Lucas Maia (Birkirkara), Cain Attard (Birkirkara), Jurgen Degabriele (Hibs), Rui Da Gracia Gomes (Hibs), Ryan Sicluna (Birkirkara), Lucas Maia (Birkirkara), Kurt Zammit (Birkirkara)

Red Cards: Rui Da Gracia Gomes (Hibs), Lucas Maia (Birkirkara)

BOV Player of the Match: Marco Sahanek (Hibs)