Hibernians registered their first win in the 2022-23 BOV Premier League campaign as a hat-trick by Jurgen Degabriele and a brace by Jake Grech handed them a 5-0 win over Mosta.

 

The Paolites were eager to bounce back from the 4-1 defeat to Hamrun Spartans on Monday and Degabriele put them two goals ahead in the first half.

 

Mosta tried to react but Hibs scored three in the final half hour to cruise to victory.

 

Coach Andrea Pisanu made one change from the team which lost to Hamrun as Rodolfo Soares was preferred to Andrei Agius.

 

Mosta, on the other hand, had three changes as Boubakary Diarra, Tyrone Farrugia and Steve Kingue were named in the starting line-up but coach Joseph Grech was forced to make two changes within the first half hour, replacing Christ Ememe and Farrugia with Michael Okoh and Jake Vassallo.

 

The Blues went in search of an early goal with Jonas Rodriguez Ekani testing Ibrahim Kone with a cross-shot from the right on five minutes and then, a Clayton Failla freekick ended just over the bar.

 

Hibs replied with a Gabi Izquier effort which was parried by Akpan on 12 minutes.

 

Three minutes later, Hibernians forged ahead. Grech concluded a good run on the right with an assist for Degabriele who hit low past Akpan.

 

Hibs went close once again on 17 minutes with an assist by Thaylor for Yunusa Muritala but his conclusion was blocked into a corner.

 

Mosta could have equalised on 41 minutes when Jake Vassallo served Tobi Akiti on the right but the latter concluded high.

 

Three minutes from the end of the first half, the Paolites doubled the score. Thaylor advanced on the right and served Jurgen Degabriele who slotted once again past the Mosta goalkeeper.

 

Mosta tried to hit back after the break and on 56 minutes Tobi Akiti missed a good chance, hitting high from close range. A minute later, Michael Okoh controlled a cross from the right but his low effort was neutralised by Kone.

 

However, the Paolites extended the lead on 66 minutes. Substitute Gabriel Mensah delivered a cross from the right and Grech’s powerful drive hit the crossbar with the ball bouncing beyond the goal line.

 

It was all over for Mosta as Hibernians kept pushing for more and in fact, ten minutes from time, substitute Jairo Morillas sent Grech through and the latter hit home past Akpan.

 

Seven minutes later, Degabriele pounced on a through pass and advanced all alone before slotting the ball past the Mosta goalkeeper for a final 5-0 score.

 

Sportsdesk – Valhmor Camilleri