Hibs shocked by Sirens

HIBERNIANS 1
Laukzemis 91

SIRENS 2
Agius 32
Tounkara 76

Hibernians
M. Calleja Cremona-6.5, F. Apap-6 (86 Z. Grech), L. Almeida-6.5, A. Attard-6.5 (86 C. Zammit), J. Grech-6 (74 R. Winchester), J. Degabriele-6 (87 E. Uzeh), D. Vella-6, G. Izquier-6.5, A. Agius-6, J. Wilkson Teixeira-5.5 (59 S. Shodiya), K. Laukzemis-6.5.
Sirens
M. Montfort-7, R. Grech-6.5, S. Raphael-6.5, Maxuell-6.5, W. Domoraud-6, J. Walker-6, A. Borg-6, S. Tounkara-6.5, T. Agius-6.5 (92 R. Scicluna), A. Bustos-6, T. Espindola-6.

Referee Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Yellow cards Almeida, Grech, Apap.

BOV player of the match Terence Agius (Sirens).

Sirens collected three precious points in their struggle to climb out of the danger zone as they defeated leaders Hibernians 2-1.

Although the result may come as a surprise, Sirens the deserve credit for being a better side during the first half and for being able to control the pressure by the opponents throughout the second half.

Hibs had the better chances after the break but luck was not on their side as they hit the post twice and missed a penalty.

Hibernians had the first attempt at goal with Jurgen Degabriele testing Miguel Montfort with a low shot on 10 minutes.

Wilfried Domoraud concluded a good move for Sirens with a shot from the edge of the area which ended just over on 26 minutes.

Three minutes later, in a swift counter-attack, Sirens forward Angel Manuel Bustos had a low shot which was parried by Calleja Cremona.

On the half-hour, Degabriele concluded a solo run with a shot from outside the area that ended wide.

Sirens finally took the lead on 32 minutes as Terence Agius beat goalkeeper Calleja Cremona with a perfect delivery from a corner with the ball hitting the upright before ending into the back of the net.

Four minutes in the second half, Hibs went close to equalising when Leandro Almeida’s header hit the crossbar.

Hibs maintained the pressure and on 56 minutes, a first-time effort by Ayrton Attard, ended just over the bar.

Miguel Montfort was prominent with a fine save from a Degabriele free-kick in the 65th minute and from the resulting flag-kick, the Sirens goalkeeper again denied Izquier.

A minute later, the Paolites were awarded a penalty after Thiago Espindola handled the ball inside the area but Jake Grech’s effort from the spot hit the foot of the upright.

Hibs went close again with an Andrei Agius free-kick on
73 minutes just missing the target.

However, three minutes later, Sirens doubled the score. Thiago Espindola delivered a cross from the left and Samba Tounkara slotted the ball past goalkeeper Calleja Cremona.

One minute in added time, Hibernians scored a consolation goal when off a cross by substitute Edafe Uzeh, Karolis Laukzemis headed home past Montfort.