Degabriele scores twice as Hibernians defeat Mosta

HIBERNIANS 3-2 MOSTA
Jurgen Degabriele 26, 58; Federico Falcone 37 (H); Joao Texeira 55, Stephen Chiemezie 71

Hibernians returned to winnings ways as Branko Nisevic rung the changes and the team responded with a much-improved showing.

Initial interest centred on Nisevic’s selection after their toothless display against Floriana by making no fewer than seven changes to his line-up.

He completely revamped with forward line with the introduction of Isaiah Ndubisi Chukunyere, Federico Falcone and Giannis Bastianos.

Mosta certainly started the brighter with Giancarlo Goncalves going close to an open when he cut inside from the right flank and hit a rising shot which crashed against the bar.

But a fine passing move involving four players brought Hibernians their first after 26 minutes. Giannis Bastianos, combined well with Federico Falcone who pulled the ball back for Khevin Fraga to set up Jurgen Degabriele who beat the advancing Sean Mintoff with a cute lob.

It was not long before Hibernians made it two as Falcone latched onto Degabriele’s pass, who clipped a delightful ball before hitting it with a scissor-kick low into the far corner.

At this point, it should have become a stroll into the park for the Paolites who were playing some fantastic football at times.

However, as is so often the case for a team playing without the pressure of needin a result, Mosta were proving obsitnate opposition.

The game changed after the break when Mario Muscat revamped his side bringing on Prince Afriyie and Sunday Okereke in place of Gianluca Sciberras and Joshua Agyemang.

Mosta deservedly reduced the deficit just before the hour mark when Joao Teixeira headed Clayton Failla’s precise corner home totally unmarked at the far post.

But Mosta’s joy was short-lived as Degabriele made it 3-1 in a bizarre circumstance when Mintoff mishandled a sliced shot that had ballooned high up into the air. It seemed set to land on top of his net, but instead it hit the crossbar before the ball crossed the line.

Another goal was not long in coming and substitute Stephen Chiemezie chested the ball before arching a powerful shot behind Nino Sanchez.

With Hibernians’ defence continuing to look leaky, Muscat threw on Nathan Agius. Jake Vassallo  was left in acres of space on the right flank and crossed to Agius but Sanchez intercepted the ball before the nippy midfielder.

There was no let up in the action and it needed another smart save from Sanchez to punch the ball over the head of Souleymane Kone when the ex-Sorrento player was about to head home.

But Hibernians held on to bridge the gap with third placed Sliema to just three points.