Match Report: Birkirkara FC 1-3 Hibernians FC

by Ayrton Galea - 8th April 2018

Birkirkara FC suffered their second defeat in the last three matches to lose further ground on finishing this season in the top-three places of the BOV Premier League, when they suffered a 3-1 defeat aginst Hibernians FC.

A controversial sending-off of Birkirkara midfielder Mislav Andelkovic just before the half-time whistle and three goals in space of seven minutes gave three precious points to Hibernians. For the Stripes, this was the second defeat in three matches.

Midfielder Matthew Guillaumier made his return following an absence of five months for the Stripes, as he was handed his first start. Nikola Vukanac was also back for the Stripes, but Srdjan Dimitrov was still ruled-out injured.

Hibernians were superior through the first-half. Dias' shot early in the match ended wide by a whisker and Degabriele's header hit the side-netting. Mbong's close-range effort was well blocked by goalkeeper Naumovski.

Just before the half-time whistle, Mislav Andelkovic received double booking in quick succession to leave his team with one payer less. His second yellow card, which was hugely controversial, created havoc on the touch-line and Michael Valenzia was also sent off.

Hibernians surged ahead on the sixty-second minute. A cross by Clayton Failla found Jackson Lima whose powerful header gave goalkeeper Naumovski no chance.

The Paolites doubled the lead just five minutes later. It was another cross from the left, this time by Jurgen Degabriele and Joseph Mbong's inch-perfect header hit the foot of the post and past Naumovski.

Two became three just two minutes later. Unmarked Jurgen Degabriele's powerful shot from inside the box gave Naumovski no chance.

Just before the full-time whistle, Birkirkara scored a consolation goal. Substitute Ognjen Rolovic was brought down inside the box and the referee ordered the penalty. From the spot, the same player made no mistake to score his first goal with our Club.

BIRKIRKARA: Kristijan Naumovski, Fernando Barbosa, Matthew Guillaumier (67' Ognjen Rolovic), Mislav Andelkovic, Jake Grech (67' Edward Herrera), Kurt Zammit, Nikola Vukanac, Carlos Alberto, Waldemar Acosta, Ryan Scicluna, Cain Attard (78' Terence Agius).

HIBERNIANS: Andrew Hogg, Dunstan Vella, Martin Kreuzriegler, Jackson de Lima Siqueira (81′ Rui da Gracia Gomes), Rodolfo Soares (71′ Johann Bezzina), Marcelo Dias (66′ Jorge Pereira da Silva), Jurgen Degabriele, Clayton Failla, Timothy Tabone Desira, Joseph Mbong, Andrei Agius.

Yellow Cards: 28' Fernando Barbosa, 45+3' Mislav Andelkovic, 45+4' Nikola Vukanac, 85' Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara)

Red Cards: 45+5' Mislav Andelkovic (Birkirkara)

Scorers: 62' Jackson Lima, 67' Joseph Mbong, 69' Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians), 90+2' Ognjen Rolovic (Birkirkara).

BOV Player of the Match: Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians).

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