Malta round-up: Hibernians bound for glory

Hibernians FC's charge for the Maltese championship continued with a 3-1 win today.

Seven-point lead
The Paola side have a seven-point lead at the top of the championship pool after winning 3-1 against Birkirkara FC to extend their unbeaten run to twelve games.

Own goal
After a goalless first half, Michael Galea opened the scoring for Birkirkara from the penalty spot after being fouled inside the area after 54 minutes, but Hibernians hit back straight away as Chris Okoh directed Adrian Ciantar's lofted corner into his own net.

Superb effort
On 71 minutes, substitute Miguel Mifsud fired a superb effort into the top left hand corner of Rueben Debono's goal as the league leaders pressed their advantage, and ten minutes from time, Chuckunyere Ndubisi wrapped the game up with the third goal for Hibernians.

Marsa save their skin
Meanwhile in the relegation pool, Marsa FC ensured their top-flight status for next season with a 4-0 win against doomed Lija Athletic FC. Igor Stefanovic opened the scoring after 21 minutes with a neat lob over Lija goalkeeper Simon Agius and although penalty expert Nikolai Slavtchev's spot-kick was palmed away by the gallant Agius seven minutes later, Justin Tellus was on hand to knock the rebound into an empty net. 

Two more goals
After the restart Marsa made sure of the three points with two further goals from Brazilian Fabioso do Nascimento and a second for Stefanovic.