Hibs got the New Year off to a great start with a win over Raiders Luxol in the first fixture after the winter break.

Hibs dominated possession from the early stages, with Jade Flask putting in a number of excellent crosses into the box. And it was Flask who drew first blood. Come the twelfth minute,  Hibs won a corner on the right side of the pitch with Shona Zammit feeding a great ball into the box, finding Flask who, with the deftest of touches, slotted past the goalkeeper with the outside of her left foot.

Not content with the slim advantage, Hibs went in search of their second goal and were rewarded when minutes later, a strong strike from Zammit was parried by Maria Xuereb, with the ball deflecting awkwardly, looping across goal only for Emma Xuereb to get the touch which saw it over the line.

Hibs came close to adding a third before the break when Francesca Chircop played a through-ball to Zammit, who’s cross found Dorianne Theuma in the box, the captain’s effort going just wide of the post.

It was a slow start to the second half from both teams with neither having much opportunity on goal. In the 75^th minute Nicole Borg looked to get her name on the scoresheet after strolling the ball past Xuereb with a cool finish, only to be ruled offside. Three minutes later and Hibs went close again. Kayleigh Chetcuti showed good physical strength to shield the ball just outside the box, playing a quick one-two with Mandy Debono before crossing the ball for Flask who shot wide.

Hibs won a penalty in the 39^th minute after Flask was fouled in the box, with Theuma unfortunate to see her strike go wide of the left post.  Raiders managed to pull one back in the 85^th minute courtesy of Rebecca Naudi, a minor blip on an otherwise solid performance by the Paolites.

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Article By: David Cassar