Paolites' clean slate spoilt at the death

Hibernians 2
Valletta 2

A very late equaliser netted by Valletta's substitute Antoine Sacco, provided the City team with the salvo which lifted their spirits when Hibernians were seemingly high and dry trying to protect their clean slate.

That was tarnished, and as a result, Birkirkara are the only team enjoying a hundred per cent record.

The match was evenly balanced for long stretches, although Hibernians gave the impression they could steer their ship safely into port when taking the lead shortly after the hour-mark.

However, two substitutions effected by Atanas Marinov, turned out trumps for Valletta since the new entrants, Sacco and Daniel Theuma gave more impetus to the team's attacking stints.

Hibernians, on their part, were also aggressive, with Ndubisi Chukunyere displaying his typical skills with gusto.

The end result may have been disappointing for them since they conceded the equaliser at the very end. But they can take comfort from the fact that they played a refreshing enterprising game.

It was too serene a start by both sides to the extent that there was not a minimal opening set up at either end. The Paolites gave the first signs of vitality with two efforts within a minute, the first from Chukunyere which was blocked and then a cross-shot from Zahra that whizzed by the far upright.

However, it was Valletta who drew first dividends after 20 minutes. A Tonchev cross came to Ivan Zammit, who despatched a shot past the surprised Muscat.

Three minutes later equilibrium was restored when Sharlon Pace inadvertently nodded into his own net as he tried to head to safety a teasing Chukunyere chip from the right.

Prior to the Paolites' equaliser Sean Sullivan brought off a superb save on Adrian Mifsud. The contest started brewing up. Tonchev was foiled by Muscat, but in no time Chukunyere was released at the other end, only to finish off feebly.

The constructive work of Andre Schembri, also detailed to supervise Milen Penchev, was catching the eye. So was Chukunyere in a more advanced role. Once, the Nigerian's looping pot at goal from 25 metres extended Sullivan into another spectacular diving save.

On the Lilywhites' part, Zammit ran unselfishly in midfield, just behind the striking tandem of Tonchev and a slightly retreated Gilbert Agius.

Shortly before the interval, Udo Nwoko, served by Adrian Mifsud, had a sharp effort blocked by the alert Sullivan. By this time Kurt Farrugia had come on for Sharlon Pace.

After the interval, Theuma, who was not given the starting nod, replaced Keith Fenech, a change intended to give Valletta's approach work more grit in the retrieving phase and potency on the three-quarter mark.

Again it was Zammit who tried to puncture the Paolites' rearguard from an acute angle on the right. Muscat was in the right spot to fend off the effort.

Theuma ran through on a Tonchev diagonal ball, but could only drill wide of the target. Valletta looked in better shape.

On the hour, Terence Scerri was introduced in lieu of Adrian Mifsud and almost immediately delivered the hard currency. He pounced on the Lilywhites hesitancy in defence, veered to the right and slid exquisitely past a helpless Sullivan.

Unless Agius could produce something out of the bag, it looked bleak for the City team. But Adrian Pulis was sticking on to the Valletta striker like a leech.

Hibernians, now opted for more cautious fare, relying on Chukunyere's ability to do pivotal work in the phase of possession football, before releasing an unmarked colleague. His service to the hard-running Miguel Mifsud was proof of this, but the Paolites' frank player hit wide.

Eight minutes from time, Agius was unlucky when his left-footed shot smacked against the post. The Lilywhites went surging forward to save the game.

They got the equaliser on the stroke of normal time when the incoming Antoine Sacco prodded in after a forceful attack.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, C. Paiber, A. Schembri, E. Mbong, A. Mifsud (T. Scerri), N. Chukunyere, A. Zahra (K. Cassar), U. Nwoko (R. Baldacchino), M. Mifsud.

Valletta: S. Sullivan, S. Pace (K. Farrugia), D. Debono, T. Simeonov, J. Bondin, R. Forace, K. Fenech (D. Theuma), G. Agius, I. Zammit, M. Penchev, I. Tonchev (A. Sacco).

Referee: Mark Spiteri.

Scorers: I. Zammit 20, S. Pace o.g. 23, T. Scerri 63, A. Sacco 90.

Yellow Cards: A. Pulis, K. Farrugia.

MIA Player Of Match: Ndubisi Chukunyere (Hibernians).