Hibernians-Sliema W. 1-2

Hibernians: M. Muscat, J. Caruana, A. Xuereb, R. Briffa (T. Caruana), P. Doffo, A. Cohen, M. Bartolo, J. Vella, E. Agius, N. Chukunyere, A. Da Silva

Sliema W: M. Akanji, C. Gatt Baldacchino (D. Carabott), J. Chetcuti, B. Said, S. Pace, M. Scerri (O. Anonam), R. Bajada, S. Giglio, C. Mattocks (C. Nwoko), A. Madzar

Referee: M. Borg Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, M. Debono 4th official: A. M. Sant

Scorer: J. Vella, I. Woods, O. Anonam

Yellow card: R. Bajada, S. Pace, N. Chukunyere, P. Doffo, C. Nwoko, R. Da Silva

Red card: E. Agius (Hibernians)

Player of the match: Ivan Woods (Sliema W)

TMI top three: 1. M. Akanji 2. A. Cohen 3. P. Doffo

Hibernians’ recent revival, after a win against Msida and a draw against Valletta, was halted yesterday as they conceded two second half goals to finish on the receiving end against Sliema Wanderers.

The latter improved after the interval, following the inclusion of Anonam as substitute, to eventually score the winner. They have now closed the gap on leaders Marsaxlokk to six points before they meet Valletta today.

Goalkeeper Murphy Akanji was the driving force behind his side’s success, pulling off a string of superb saves, to foil Hibernians’ rampant attack as they created the better chances, but lacked a decent finish.

Sliema fielded a depleted defence, missing the likes of Muscat, Ian Ciantar, Dilello and Lombardi. Young Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was given a start as right full back as Pace returned in central defence after suspension. Other changes in Sliema’s starting line-up were the inclusion of Mattocks and Scerri, while Anonam, Nwoko and Galea, as well as Turner and Carabott, all sat on the bench.

Hibernians, buoyed by their previous two positive results, were galvanised by the return of Chukunyere in their striking force. Pulis, however, was missing in defence due to suspension.

And they were the first out of the blocks. With hardly two minutes on the clock, Da Silva’s shot on a Cohen free-kick was partially blocked by keeper Akanji but Chukunyere failed to finish.

When Hibernians’ early fury abated, Sliema also threatened on ten minutes and were denied by the bar, holding out Woods’ lob after put through by Giglio. The Wanderers were also close with a Woods header on a Bajada corner.

Hibernians broke the deadlock after 20 minutes. Chukunyere’s footwork took him past keeper Akanji on the right as he sent a low cross for Julian Vella to shoot in despite Gatt Baldacchino’s challenge.

Sliema took some time to settle but towards the half hour Mattocks had two shots saved by keeper Muscat.

On the other end, Chukunyere headed Bartolo’s cross inches wide. Chukunyere was the centre of controversy in the first half, greeted by racist chants from the Sliema fans, as he first did not return the ball to the Sliema players, who had earlier kicked the ball out of play for Da Silva to receive treatment, and then Sliema themselves refused to stop play when Chukunyere lay injured on the ground.

The inclusion of Anonam for Scerri gave Sliema more impetus in the second half and after only five minutes they drew level. Anonam progressed inside the Hibernians area but shot against the foot of the post and Ivan Woods was on hand to shoot in the loose ball.

Hibernians’ laid-back approach allowed Sliema more possession although the Paolites looked menacing on 53 minutes when Chukunyere exchanged the ball with Cohen but Akanji somehow repelled his shot with his foot.

This heralded the best spell for Hibernians whose movement and slick passing had the Sliema rearguard in a tizzy. Only Akanji kept the Wanderers in the game with two brilliant saves as he blocked Chukunyere’s volley on a Vella cross and then stretched himself to turn into a corner Cohen’s rasping grounder.

Sliema put in even Chucks Nwoko in the fray and scored on 77 minutes against the run of play. Madzar’s deep cross from the right found Woods unattended. His shot was parried by keeper Muscat but Orosco Anonam shot the loose ball in the roof of the net.

Hibernians suddenly found themselves chasing an equaliser. They put in a lot of effort in the late stages but Akanji frustrated them again, saving Chukunyere’s effort.

In added time, Hibernians also had Agius sent off for some unsporting remarks as the afternoon ended in misery for the Paolites.