Hibernians and Zabbar St Patrick, level on points in the middle of the premier league table, face each other looking for a win to climb up the table.
Zabbar looked lively from the first whistle but Hibs drew first blood, Romling from the left sending in a perfect pass for Dahling to tap home and only five minutes on the clock.
Zabbar wasted no time in going after an equalizer breaking into Hibs penalty area but Shaw was there to clear the danger.
Mbong did well to break through the Zabbar defence only to see his shot trickle agonizingly past the post, he was furious at himself…it was close.
Carmago’s free kick from the edge of Hib’s box drew a good save from Cardinali.
Water break time mid-way through the half, welcome relief for both teams.
Zabbar continued pushing forward, Pisani forced another fine stop from the Hibs keeper.
Late into the half and Hibs go on the offensive. Druga ‘s cross met by Sobcyzk who can’t get his shot on target.
Half time and Hibs hold on to their narrow 1-0 lead.
More of the same from Zabbar in the second half, they launched attack after attack pinning Hibs inside their own half of the pitch.
Water break and this time it was Hibs who got on the front foot. Substitue Chukenyere ran through the middle, was fouled, carried on and from the bye-line fired a lovely cross into the box but no-one there to meet the ball
The pattern of the game hardly changed as the clock showed ten minutes of normal time…Zabbar attacking, Hibs throwing themselves in front of everything. Heroic stuff but could it last.
It was Hibs who found the energy to press forward. Mickels charged down the left and send a cross into the box..Mbong stretched but just could not reach the ball.
Substitute Jankovic then surged forward but his effort was straight at the Zabbar keeper.
Three minutes of normal time and Zabbar finally got their reward for all their hard work. Thomas Melillo beat keeper Matteo Cardinali with a low shot from the edge of the area.
There were five minutes of extra time and Hibs nearly snatched a winner when Jurgen Degabriele who just came on, headed just wide of the post
1-1 the final score.
