YoHealth Malta Premier 2025/2026 – Bottom 6 – MD32
Żabbar Saint Patrick……3
Hibernians………………..0
Żabbar Saint Patrick secured a comfortable and deserved 3-0 victory over Hibernians at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali. However, results elsewhere mean they have still not guaranteed their Premier League status.
Tarxien Rainbows’ win over Sliema Wanderers means Żabbar must now face Tarxien in a decider, a match they need to win to remain in the top flight. Hibernians, meanwhile, had already secured their place among Malta’s elite for next season.
Żabbar started brightly and created their first real chance after five minutes, when Brian Gambarte stole possession from the Hibernians’ defence before Nicholas James Agius saw his effort from the left deflected for a corner. Four minutes later, Agius went close again, firing over from close range after receiving the ball from the right.
In 20 minutes, Maltese football veteran Mario Fontanella had a golden opportunity to put Żabbar ahead, but Hugo Sacco well saved his effort from close range.
Żabbar finally broke the deadlock in the 31st minute, and in some style. A fine team move involving Ayom Mayok, Brian Gambarte and Fontanella ended with the Italian lifting the ball over Sacco from the right to make it 1-0.
Three minutes later, Żabbar doubled their lead. Mayok produced a strong run down the left and saw his effort come back off the post, before Fontanella reacted quickest to tap into an empty net and make it 2-0.
Żabbar remained in control after the interval and threatened again in the 50th minute, when a flowing move down the left ended with Gambarte forcing Sacco into another fine save.
Three minutes later, Żabbar made it 3-0. A ball from the left found the completely unmarked Mayok, who finished superbly with a curling effort into the Hibernians’ net.
Hibernians tried to respond in the 55th minute, when substitute Ruben Hernandez Arcadia went close from the right, but his effort from inside the area drifted narrowly wide.
In the 69th minute, Hibernians created another opening from a corner on the left, with Matthew Debattista seeing his shot from the edge of the area well saved by Issufe Djalo.
MVP of the Match – Mario Fontanella (Żabbar Saint Patrick)
Referee – Joseph Scerri
