Degabriele inspires Hibs fightback

MOSTA            2         

Kaljevic 7, 43

HIBS                 3         

Degabriele 14, 44, 69

MOSTA: S. Bitseki Moto-6, C. Ememe-6.5, J. Bezzina-6.5 (73 Z. Brincat), D. Bonnici-6 (63 A. Spiteri), C. Failla-6, T. Farrugia-6.5, M. Muchardi-6.5, R. Morisco-6, B. Kaljevic-6.5, K. Tulimieri-6 (73 M. Attard), J. Ekani-6 (80 L. Portelli).

HIBS: M. Calleja Cremona-6, F. Apap-6.5, L. Almeida-6, J. Grech-6.5, J. Degabriele-7, B. Kristensen-6.5, D. Vella-6.5, G. Izquier-6, S. Shodiya-6 (86 E. Uzeh), A. Agius-6, J. Teixeira-6 (82 R. Winchester).

Referee: Glen Tonna.

Yellow cards: Morisco, Shodiya, Kristensen, Spiteri, Apap, Izquier.

Missed penalty: Grech (Hibernians) 9.

BOV Player of the Match: Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians)

Jurgen Degabriele notched a hat-trick as Hibernians came from behind to beat Mosta 3-2 in an entertaining game.

The two teams shared the exchanges throughout the 90 minutes and Mosta could consider themselves unlucky to leave the Centenary Stadium empty-handed.

They had no less than seven changes from the game against Gżira United after most players were no longer in quarantine.

Mosta forged ahead after just seven minutes. Bojan Kaljevic received a cross from the left and controlled the ball before beating Calleja Cremona with a fine shot from outside the area.

Two minutes later, Rafael Morisco handled the ball inside the area, and referee Glen Tonna pointed to the spot. But Jake Grech’s effort hit the foot of the upright.

However, on 14 minutes, Hibernians levelled matters.Grech delivered a cross from the right, Jose Wilkson headed the ball down for Degabiele to hit home from close range.

Mosta went close with a Clayton Failla free-kick that ended just over the bar and on 21 minutes, a Johann Bezzina effort from outside the area was deflected into a corner.

On 37 minutes, Calleja Cremona turned into a corner a fine effort by Bojan Kaljevic from the left.

Two minutes from the end of the first half Mosta regained the lead. Kaljevic pounced on a short assist by Vella for Agius and advanced before slotting past Calleja Cremona.

However, their joy was short-lived as Hibernians restored equilibrium hardly a minute later. Shola Shodiya released Grech on the right and the latter found Degabriele who hit home from close range.

Seven minutes in the second half, Bitseki Moto performed a great save on an overhead kick by Andrei Agius, served by Ferdinando Apap.

Three minutes later, Kevin Tulimieri sent Matias Muchardi through and the latter concluded just wide.

Hibernians went ahead for the first time on 69 minutes. Dunstan Vella sent Degabriele through and the latter completed his hat-trick with a fine shot from the edge of the area which beat Bitseki Moto.

In the remaining minutes, Mosta did press for the equaliser but the closest they went was ten minutes from time when they had a goal disallowed by referee Malcolm Spiteri.