Agyemang strikes as Mosta sinks Hibernians to boost top-six hopes

MOSTA 1

Agyemang 10

HIBERNIANS 0

MOSTA

D. Udoh, P. Afriyie (87 S. Cipriott), S. Cachia, L. Coulibaly, S. Kone (74 L. Rosa), G. Goncalves (64 S. Okereke), C. Failla, J. Agyemang, M. Pires, Z. Brincat (64 N. Agius), L. Da Silva (87 T. Shedrack).

HIBERNIANS

P. Sanchez, Kleiton  (46 G. Bastianos), A. Silas (78 D. Xuereb), K. Shaw, K. Fraga, J. Degabriele (83 J. Portelli), B. Kristensen (46 A. Attard), F. Falcone, A. Bruno, H. Nunes (68 I. Chukunyere), Higor.

 Referee: Ezekiel Barbara

A costly mistake from Hibs goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez handed Mosta another famous win to keep alive their hopes of a top-six finish.

Hibernians did have their moments as Jurgen Degabriele hit the Blues’ post in the second half, while Kurt Shaw had an effort cleared off the line.

But in the end, it was Mosta, who had already defeated Ħamrun this season and were unlucky to go down to Birkirkara, again proving why they boast such an impressive record against the top guns.

Although, Mosta found themselves penned in their own half for long periods they held their shape for the entire match in an attempt to prevent Hibernians from playing balls into the space between defence and midfield.

However, they did not defend en masse and tried hard to keep possession, managing to come out of their half confidently.

There appeared little danger when Giancarlo Goncalves hit a gentle shot from long-range but Sanchez spilled the Brazilian’s shot and Joshua Agyemang converted from close-in.

Mosta had two holding playmakers – Prince Afriyie and Larsson Coulibaly – their starting line-up to support their main striker Zachary Brincat who was flanked by Goncalves. And this African duo moved the ball through midfield with a precision and economy of movement that, at times, exposed Hibs’ defence.

However, David Akpan, the Mosta goalkeeper, was being kept busy by the Hibs forward line. Shy the half hour mark, the Nigerian goalkeeper brilliantly denied Khevin Fraga who hit a rasping shot from distance.

On 41 minutes,  Federico Falcone saw his well-struck volley blocked by Akpan again.

Branko Nisevic, the Hibs coach, made a double substitution at half-time with Giannis Bastianos and Ayrton Attard replacing Kleiton and Bjorn Kristensen respectively.

The Paolites were fast out of the blocks and Jurgen Degabriele hit a header against the post after a good cross from Alfred Silas.

But Mosta almost punished their flat-out when Leonardi Joaquim picked the ball from Akriyie and squared for Goncalves who incredibly hit wide from an inviting position.

Hibernians’ disappointing afternoon continued when Kurt Shaw’s goalbound header was cleared off the line by Clayton Failla.

In the 90th minute, Hibernians had a late chance as Fraga sent a shot wide across goal, and substitute Dexter Xuereb might have salvaged a draw but his freekick was punched away by Akpan as Mosta held on to register another important victory.