BOV Premier League - Birkirkara 2-3 Hibernians FC
by Ayrton Galea - 6th April 2019
A goal one minute from time by Andrei Agius condemned Birkirkara FC to a harsh defeat, as Hibernians FC came twice from behind to win the match with a 3-2 score.
It was a tough defeat for the Stripes to swallow as they enjoyed the lead for most of the match. However, two goals in the last seven minutes saw their lead fade away and walked away empty-handed.
Luke Montebello extended his rich form by scoring in five matches from the last six to give Birkirkara an early lead, but a late goal by Tiago Adan Fonseca saw both teams ending the first half in a draw.
Clayton Failla scored his first goal with our club two minutes in the second half to regain the lead, but two late goals by Taylon Nico Marcolino and Andrei Agius turned the score in Hibernians' favour.
Coach Mark Buttigieg made two changes from the last match as Cain Attard and Clayton Failla replaced the injured Marcelo Henrique and Kurt Zammit. Matthew Guillaumier was back on the substitutes' bench after missing the last match.
The First Half
The Stripes registered the perfect start, as they surged ahead after just three minutes. Maurizio Vella served Luke Montebello inside the box and the Birkirkara forward hit a powerful shot from inside the box that gave goalkeeper Marko Jovicic no chance.
Hibernians were unlucky not to make the score level on the tenth minute. Taylon Nico Marcolino profited from an erratic clearance of Cain Attard and his shot smashed against the crossbar. From the rebound, the same player had his shot ending wide.
The Stripes could have doubled the lead on the nineteenth minute. Maurizio Vella showed great vision to unzip the defence with a perfect through-ball towards Montebello, but the latter's shot was blocked by Jovicic.
With one goal down, Hibernians dictated most of the possession as expected, but they failed to test Hogg as the Birkirkara defence looked solid. This left Hibernians to rely on shooting from distance, but an attempt by Kristensen ended totally wide ten minutes from half time.
An erratic clearance by Clayton Faila almost gifted Hibernians the equaliser five minutes from half-time as the Birkirkara defence was caught off guard. However, Marcolino's shot was blocked by Hogg.
Hibernians made their superiority count and deservingly made the score level one minute from half time. A low cross by Marcolino was finished in style by Tiago Adan Fonseca as his close-range effort beat Hogg.
The Second Half
Just like the first half, Birkirkara registered the perfect start as they regained the lead ninety seconds inside the second half. Jorge Pereira was fouled inside the box and Referee Alan Mario Sant ordered the penalty. From the spot, Clayton Failla made no mistake.
Assistant Coach Ryan Pulis, taking in charge instead of the suspended Coach Stefano Sanderra, was quick to affect his first substitution as he included offensive player Marco Sahanek off Marcio Barbosa Da Silveira.
A long-distance free-kick by Andrei Agius ended totally over on the fifty-seventh minute. On the other side of the pitch, Maurizio Vella, the best player on the pitch, had his shot from distance ended wide following a fine solo-action.
Coach Mark Buttigieg affected his first two changes twenty minutes inside the second half. Kurt Zammit replaced Clayton Failla while Michael Mifsud replaced Jorginho as the Birkirkara Coach sought for a fresh pair of legs up-front.
A shot by Maurizio Vella ended wide, while moments later substitute Michael Mifsud found Luke Montebello inside the box who did well to avoid the challenge of Andrei Agius, but his shot was saved by Jovicic.
Hibernians continued to pile-up the pressure. Substitute Marco Sahanek sped through on the right before his cross found Marcolino who had his over-head kick denied by an excellent save of Hogg.
The Paolites made the score level six minutes from time. Forward Tiago Adan Fonseca received a cross inside the box and headed the ball towards Marcolino who anticipated Hogg and headed the ball home.
Hibernians completed the comeback one minute from time. Andrei Agius rose the highest to connect with an in-swinging corner kick to earn Hibernians the winning goals and maximum points.
Maurizio Vella was named the BOV Player of the Match.
BIRKIRKARA: Andrew Hogg, Danilo Chapoval, Mislav Andelkovic, Maurizio Vella, Luke Montebello, Johann Bezzina (73' Matthew Guillaumier0, Clayton Failla (65' Kurt Zammit), Eduardo Dos Santos, Nikola Vukanac, Cain Attard (79' Thiago Brito), Jorge Pereira (65' Michael Mifsud).
HIBERNIANS: Marko Jovicic, Dunstan Vella, Nemanja Radojevic, Marcio Barbosa Da Silveira (52' Marco Sahanek), Joseph Mbong, Jake Grech, Bjorn Kristensen, Isaach Toah Ntow, Taylon Nico Marcolino (89' Timothy Tabone Desira), Andrei Agius, Tiago Adan Fonseca.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Mitchell Scerri.
Fourth Officials: Stefan Pace.
Yellow Cards: 32' Mislav Andelkovic, 33' Jorge Perreira, 70' Cain Attard, 90' Nikola Vukanac (Birkirkara), 28' Joseph Mbong, 80' Tiago Adan Fonseca (Hibernians).
Scorers: 3' Luke Montebello, 47' Clayton Failla (Birkirkara), 43' Tiago Adan Fonseca, 84' Taylon Nico Marcolino, 89' Andrei Agius (Hibernians)
BOV Player of the Match: Maurizio Vella (Birkirkara).
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