Senior Team: Birkirkara FC 0-1 Hibernians FC
by Ayrton Galea - 19th November 2017
Birkirkara FC suffered their second consecutive defeat in the BOV Premier League yesterday afternoon, when a penalty by Clayton Failla was enough for Hibernians FC to register a narrow 1-0 victory.
It was another tight encounter that saw the Stripes producing a good tactical performance, but they were once again unable to take something from the match. In an eventful second half, Hibernians scored the all-important winning goal while a player was sent off for both sides.
Goalkeeper Philip Schranz regained a place between the posts at the expenses of David Cassar, while in the other change, Mr. Paul Zammit included rapid-winger Bruno Andrade off the injured Matthew Guillaumier.
The First Half
Hibernians were unlucky not to take the lead on the sixteenth minute. An erratic pass by Ryan Scicluna was picked-up by Jurgen Degabriele, who was quick to serve Sahanek who had his low shot hitting the foot of the post, before Attard cleared into safety.
Birkirkara produced the best scoring opportunity on the half-hour mark. Scicluna supplied an excellent through-ball towards Jake Grech but his powerful strike from inside the box ended over, with Hogg beaten.
The Stripes threatened again four minutes later. In a fast break-away, Carlos Alberto delivered a brilliant through-ball towards Cain Attard, but the latter's low strike ended wide with a whisker. Moments later, off a cross by Zammit, Vukanac had his header saved by Hogg.
Hibernians were denied by the post again just before the half-time whistle. A fierce shot by Clayton Failla hit the post and from the rebound, Marcelo Dias' shot ended over.
The Second Half
Hibernians scored the all-important winning goal on the fifty-second minute. Lucas Maia floored Marcelo Dias inside the box and Referee Matthew Degabriele ordered the penalty while he booked Maia. From the spot, Failla converted, despite a slight deflection of goalkeeper Schranz.
Both teams ended-up playing with one player less. Hibernians had Rui Da Gracia Gomes sent off for double booking on the fifty-fourth minute, but Birkirkara were able to enjoy the numerical advantage for just nine minutes as Lucas Maia was also sent off for double booking.
Coach Paul Zammit roped-in Edward Herrera and debutant Ayrton Attard late in the match as the Stripes sought to save something from this match. However, Hibernians held strong and condemned the Stripes for their sixth defeat in just eleven matches.
BIRKIRKARA: Philip Schranz, Cain Attard, Nikola Vukanac, Lucas Maia, Mislav Andelkovic, Ryan Scicluna (86' Ayrton Attard), Jake Grech (67' Luke Montebello), Carlos Alberto, Bruno Andrade (76' Edward Herrera), Kurt Zammit, Fabiano Oliveira.
HIBERNIANS: Andrew Hogg, Rui Da Gracia Gomes, Jurgen Degabriele (71' Jorge Elias Dos Santos), Dunstan Vella, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Clayton Failla, Johann Bezzina (84' Joseph Mbong), Jackson Lima, Andrei Agius, Marco Sahanek (79' Marco Antonio Morgan Filho).
Referee: Matthew Degabriele.
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Sammy Attard.
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Yellow Cards: 28' Jake Grech, 34' Rui Da Gracia Gomes, 50' Lucas Maia, 57' Cain Attard, 58' Marco Sahanek, 66' Ryan Scicluna, 90+2' Kurt Zammit.
Scorers: 52' Clayton Failla (Hibernians).
BOV Player of the Match: Marco Sahanek (Hibernians).
comments powered by Disqus
