Tarxien 2 Hibernians 0
Sergio Pacheco de Oliveira’s low drive saw off a spirited Hibernians side to earn Tarxien their fourth derby victory in a year.
Drama started with the kick-off in a typical highly-charged atmosphere at the Hibernians Stadium when Tarxien took the lead in bizarre circumstances after just 95 seconds.
Hibernians goalkeeper Mario Muscat’s attempted clearance hit team-mate Jonathan Pearson and the ball flew in for a strange goal.
With the ‘home side’ forced to reshuffle their pack and chase the game, Tarxien had countless chances to take the result beyond their neighbours’ reach.
The Rainbows’ biggest hope to put Hibernians out of sight came in the shape of midfielder Gianluca Calabretta, surprisingly included in the starting line-up ahead of Daniel Mariano Bueno and Manuel Caruana.
But he looked out of sorts for Tarxien as he wasted a string of chances in the opening period. He saw a goal-bound chip easily hooked away by Muscat inside the third minute.
And the young midfielder was out of luck again after 37 minutes when he again capitalised on another poor clearance to send a volley straight into the chest of Muscat.
Yet, Hibernians tried to stay in touch and had a hatful of chances of their own.
The Paolities’ biggest hope of grabbing hold of a lifeline in the opening period came after 37 minutes in the shape of Scottish striker Paul McManus. His compatriot Richie Hart cross from the left and McManus hung in the air to direct a looping header just wide with Cassar stranded.
Hibernians matched their hosts for most of a fiery match but Tarxien started and finished strongly, created the better chances and no one could argue with the quality of Pacheco's winner 15 minutes from time.
Ricardo Costa proved a constant threat to the Hibernians defence. After 73 minutes, the Brazilian midfielder passed inside to dos Santos Rodrigues whose low drive was well held by Muscat.
But Hibernians did not heed the warning and they were stunned and still reeling when Pacheco de Oliveira blasted a stunning low drive behind Muscat with 15 minutes remaining.
The Hibs defence had no answer to Costa’s direct run and he took advantage of the space they afforded him, running into the area before serving Pacheco de Oliveira on the other side of the pitch as the Brazilian striker kept his composure to fire low past Muscat to secure Tarxien’s fourth win on Hibernians in a year.