BOV Premier League | Hibernians 1 – Pembroke Athleta 1

Hibs were held to a 1-1 draw by Pembroke Athleta as the Paolites risk losing top spot.

Marcelo Dias of Hibernians and Maneski Borche challenging for the ball. Photo: Dominic Borg
Marcelo Dias of Hibernians and Maneski Borche challenging for the ball. Photo: Dominic Borg

As expected, Hibernians started the game on the attack and their first chance came on the 8th minute. Johann Bezzina went past his marker and fired a shot that went slightly wide.

On the 13th minute, Renan Pimenta Telles had another opportunity for the Paolites. The striker received the ball inside the area and hit a low shot that failed to hit the target.

On the half hour mark, Marcelo Dias tried his luck from distance, but his shot ended up high.

Six minutes later, Dias fired another shot that took a deflection off a defender. Possession fell for Joseph Mbong who fired wide.

Hibernians went ahead on the 53rd minute. Jurgen Degabriele was brought down inside the penalty area by Matthew Calleja Cremona and Eman Grech ordered a penalty. Degabriele took charge of the penalty and hit a low shot past the Pembroke goalkeeper.

Pembroke equalised through another penalty on the 70th minute. Following a free kick, a defender handled the ball inside the penalty area and the referee pointed towards the spot once again. From the penalty spot, Paltemio Barbetti made no mistake and finished past Andrew Hogg.

Artim Shakjiri’s side nearly scored again on the 76th minute. From another free kick, Barbetti sent a cross inside the area that was met by Oleksander Maksymov who forced a great save from Hogg.

Hibs responded a minute later through Bezzina. The twenty-two year old sent a shot from the edge of the penalty area that ended up slightly high.

Mark Miller’s side were close once more ten minutes from time. Following a corner, Pembroke’s defence failed to clear their marks and possession fell for Pimenta Telles who saw his shot sailing centimetres wide of the post.

On the other hand, Shola Haruna Sodija of Pembroke attempted a shot from distance that went high.

Hibs lost another opportunity two minutes from time. Bjorn Kristensen sent Marcelo Dias through on the right, but the latter failed to hit the target.

Hibernians starting line-up: Andrew Hogg, Marcelo Dias, Rodolfo Soares, Timothy Tabone Desira, Jackson Lima Siqueira, Bjorn Kristensen, Johann Bezzina, Joseph Mbong, Renan Pimenta Telles, Jurgen Degabriele, Andrei Agius.

Pembroke starting line-up: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Paltemio Barbetti, Zoran Levanic, Miguel Attard, Ugochunkwo Akuto, Siraj Eddin Arab, Shola Haruna Sodija, Andreas Scozzese, Oleksandar Moksymov, Andrian Borg, Maneski Borche.

Referee: Eman Grech

Assistant referees: David Castillo, Thomas Debono

Fourth official: Trustin Farrugia Cann

BOV player of the match: Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians)