Hibernians were simply too strong for neighbours Tarxien as they romped to a 9-0 victory, incidently the same winning margin as in the first round. It was a convincing return to winning ways for Hibernians who had perhaps surprisingly been held to a goal-less draw against Kirkop last week.
Hibs dominated the game from the start and deserved their 3-0 lead at half time. They added six more after the break, a result that should give the players a lift ahead of the upcoming match against Birkirkara on 21st March.
Seven different players got their names on the score-sheet with captain Dorianne Theuma grabbing a pair. Keeper Dorienne Grech was hardly tested throughout the match.
The opening goal came from a cross from the left by Shona Zammit which found captain Dorianne Theuma who headed home.
Dorianne Theuma turned provider for the second goal when the Tarxien keeper could not hold her free kick and Jade Flask fired home. Hibernians third goal came when Francesca Chircop won the ball on the left, kept running into the box and slotted the ball past the keeper. A fine individual effort. There was no let-up for Tarxien after the break as Hibernians kept pressing for more goals, which duly came. It was 4-0 nil from a Dorianne Theuma corner which caused panic in the Tarxien goal-mouth with Chantelle Grech reacting first to fire home her first goal of the season.
Emma Xuereb picked up a Shona Zammit cross to make it 5-0.
Dorianne Theuma, leading by example, sent a sweet pass through the middle of the defence for Ruth Steer Chetham to go one on one with the goalkeeper and slot the ball in the net.
Theuma scored her second of the night after picking up an inviting pass from Francesca Chircop. Chircop was later replaced by Ylenia Carabott who was making her league debut this season after a knee operation which kept her out since the Hibs vs Birkirkara Super Cup Final in September.
Defender Charlene Zammit scored her first goal of the season to make it 8-0. Newly Signed Yolande Attard went close to getting on the score sheet when her close range shot hit the foot of the post with the keeper beaten. The final goal came from Shona Zammit after she chipped the Tarxien Keeper.
In the dying minutes of the match, Hibs almost added another when Ylenia Carabott skipped past 3 players down the left flank and hit the bar with a rising shot.
Coach Neil Zarb Cousin and his assistant Daniel Sissons were understandably delighted with the result and will be hoping to build on this performance when they meet Birkirkara on 21st March.
Photo Credit: Maria Farrugia
