HIBERNIANS 0
ŻABBAR ST PATRICK 4
Keqi 19
Souza 58, 86
Gambarte 68
HIBERNIANS
H. Sacco, A. Silas (77 F. Falcone), K. Shaw, L. Iapert, J. Degabriele (59 I. Chukunyere), B. Kristensen, D. Xuereb, R. Monteiro, A. Bruno (59 S. Sorokin), I. Apostolos, H. Pedro.
ŻABBAR SP
L. Camilleri, J. Micallef (74 G. Zammit), B. Gambarte, S. Llic (80 T. Davey), J. Pisani, J. Tavares (73 A. Iervolino), S. Jovancic, V. De Paiva, K. Keqi, D. Jovicic (46 F. Bonilha), M. Barros Santos ( 57 D. Oliveira Souza).
Referee: Daniel Casha.
Yellow card: Alex Bruno, Micallef, Jovancic, Barros.
Red card: Henrique (H) 45.
Żabbar St Patrick humiliated Hibernians as Branko Nisevic’s side were mauled by an energetic and clinical performance from the Premier League newcomers.
This was arguably Hibernians’ worst performance of the season but Żabbar deserve credit because they were faster, stronger and sharper. They won the key battles in middle through Brian Gambarte, while Hibernians centre-back Kurt Shaw and Lucas Iapert failed to cope with the pace of Kristian Keqi and Stefan Ilic.
The game may have turned out differently had not Żabbar goalkeeper Luca Camilleri pulled two smart saves in quick succession in the first half to extinguish Hibs’ reaction after going 1-0 down.
A minute silence in memory of former Hibs Stalwart Louis Theobald, who died earlier in the day, was observed by the players and the score of supporters who showed up at Ta’ Qali.
Hibernians looked out of sorts from the start, and despite Jurgen Degabriele having an early shot, Żabbar looked the better side.
After 11 minutes, Iapert was put through on goal by Degabriele but his shot beat Camilleri but found Strahinja Jovancic who hooked the ball of the line.
Żabbar refused to be dominated by their opponents and took the lead on 19 minutes.
Stefan Ilic found Strahinja Jovancic who pulled the ball back from the by-line for the onrushing Keqi to tap in from close range.
The Saints waited for Hibernians to respond, but the Paolites struggled to create chances.
Past the half hour, Marcelo Barros Santos almost beat Hugo Sacco with a vicious long drive after Hibernians were guilty of overplaying the ball deep in their own half.
But Hibs could have levelled three minutes later. Dexter Xuereb’s header, from a Degabriele corner, was saved by Camilleri. A few moments later, Camilleri was up to task again blocking Kurt Shaw’s effort.
Hibernians became increasingly frustrated as the half wore on. Henrique Nunes Silva was sent off for kicking out at Keqi just before half-time.
Żabbar were soon 2-0 up early in the second half.
Ilic was again the provider, delivering a sublime left-wing cross that Joao Tavares dived to head the ball, Sacco blocked his effort, only to see David Oliveira Souza prodding the ball home.
That goal seemed to kill off the match as a contest, with Hibernians lacking the creative spark to unlock Żabbar.
The Premier League newcomers were showing far more urgency and purpose and added a third goal when Gambarte kept his cool to score with a low drive past Sacco.
After 77 minutes, Sacco denied Keqi but he was rescued by the woodwork after Ilic pounced on the rebound.
Hibernians’ afternoon came to a calamitous conclusion four minutes from time, when Oliveira Souza compounded their misery with a close-range effort.
