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29 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 OCTOBER 2018 SPORTS BOV PREMIER LEAGUE Hibernians defeat neighbours Tarxien Rainbows HIBERNIANS and Tarxien Rainbows faced off each other during the second match at the National Stadium. The Paolites struggled to gain consistency so far, but were coming from a 2-0 win over St Andrews. On the other hand, Tarxien started better than last season and gained six points from five matches. The Rainbows suf- fered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sliema during their previous encounter. This scenario pointed towards Hibernians as favourites to claim the three points; however, they were aware that Jose Borg's side could cause them problems if they played at their best. Hibernians started well and had an excellent opportunity after just two minutes. Follow- ing a through ball forward, Tiago Adan Fonseca ran inside the penalty area, but failed to hit the target. Fonseca made up for losing this chance two minutes later as he sent the Paolites ahead. Jur- gen Degabriele delivered a cross from the left towards the Brazil- ian who slotted the ball past An- drea Cassar. Tarxien replied immediately. Gabriel Aquilina's cross from a corner was met by Jens Alexan- der Wemmer and the German saw his effort stamping off the upright before going out for a goal kick. On the other end, Cassar had to be on the alert in order to deny Hibs. Degabriele's delivery from a corner was met by Bjorn Kristensen whose header forced a good save from Tarxien's cus- todian. Degabriele remained a con- stant threat for the Rainbows and had another chance on the 16th minute. The young striker hit an angled shot that was neutralised by Cassar. Tarxien hit back and equalised a minute later. Ricardo Silva Far- ia's crossed the ball towards the unmarked Wemmer who placed it behind Andrew Hogg. Jose` Borg's men went close again on the 22nd minute. Wem- mer's shot from the left was par- ried by Hogg. A number of at- tackers attempted to take the rebound, but the referee whis- tled for a foul on Joseph Mbong. Five minutes from half-time, Aquilina tried his luck from dis- tance, but his effort went high. A minute later, Nicolas Taylon Marcolino sent a low shot from inside the penalty area that was blocked by Cassar. Stefano Sanderra's men re- gained the lead on the 54th min- ute. Following a free-kick, Daniel Zerafa handled the ball inside the penalty area and the referee pointed towards the spot. Fonse- ca stepped up to take the penalty kick and converted. Hibernians scored their third goal ten minutes later. Joseph Mbong's through ball forward completely opened Tarxien's de- fence. Marcolino found himself face to face with the goalkeeper and slotted the ball inside the net. Marcolino was unlucky not to add another on the 66th minute. The Brazilian unleashed a pow- erful shot that hit the post with Cassar completely beaten. Hibs were completely superior by now and scored their fourth goal two minutes later. Degabri- ele took hold of a loose ball, ran inside the penalty area, and fin- ished home. On the 80th minute, Marcolino ran forward inside the penalty area down the right flank be- fore hitting a low shot that sailed across the frame of goal. Five minutes later, Mbong went past a defender and hit a shot from inside the penalty area that was blocked by Cassar. The post denied Hibernians from scoring their fifth goal on the 90th minute. Ivan Blazevic made space for himself and fired a shot that hit the woodwork. Tarxien scored a consolation goal during the additional time. From a free-kick, Darren Falzon hit a thumping shot that stunned Hogg. Tarxien Rainbows starting line-up: Andrea Cassar, Jens Al- exander Wemmer, Radu Rogac, Daniel Zerafa, Gabriel Aquilina, Darren Falzon, Andre` Charles Scicluna, Stefan Radovanovic, Anderson De Barros, Ricardo Silva Faria, Alexander Nilsson Hibernians starting line-up: Andrew Hogg, Dunstan Vella, Nemanja Radojevic, Joseph Mbong, Marcelo Dias, Jurgen Degabriele, Bjorn Kristensen, Isaac Ntow, Nicolas Taylon Marcolino, Andrei Agius, Tiago Adan Fonseca Referee: Emmanuel Grech Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Theodore Zammit Fourth Official: Etienne Man- gion BOV Player of the Match: Ti- ago Adan Fonseca (Hibs) PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG TWO goals from Martin Davis condemned Birkirkara yesterday to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of St Andrews. Birkirkara were unlucky not to open the score on the 49th minute. Danilo Chapoval headed the ball goalwards, but his effort hit the post. St Andrews soon hit back and went ahead on the 56th minute. Martin Davis went on a good run before hitting a low shot that went past Kris- tijan Naumovski. Chapoval was denied by the crossbar again on the 90th minute. The Brazilian player unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area that stamped off the woodwork. St Andrews sealed the issue in the additional time given by the referee. Kemar Reid's effort was blocked by Cain Attard. The rebound went into the path of Davis and the latter slotted the ball inside the net. St Andrews starting line-up: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Alex Satariano, Kevyn Mcfarlane, Ri- cardo Martin, Travis Blagrove, Kevaughn Atkin- son, Kemar Reid, Joseph Farrugia, Adrian Borg, Amoy Brown, Martin Davis Birkirkara starting line-up: Kristijan Nau- movski, Danilo Chapoval, Matthew Guillaumier, Mislav Andjelkovic, Paul Fenech, Jake Grech, Kurt Zammit, Eduardo Ferreira dos Santos, Mi- chael Mifsud, Cain Attard, Thiago Brito De Souza Referee: Ishmael Barbara Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Mitchell Scerri Fourth Official: Alex Johnson BOV Player of the Match: Martin Davis (St Andrews) Two Martin Davis goals sink Birkirkara PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG