Sliema W.-Hibernians 3-2

Daniel Saverino came off the Sliema Wanderers’ bench after one hour yesterday to score his side’s winner, with a spectacular 25-metre drive on the stroke of full time, and take the day’s honours. Earlier, striker Kosta Bjedov had scored a brace to keep the Wanderers at par with leaders Hibrnians. This Sliema win put an end to the Paolites’ unbeaten record, although they remain at the top of the standings, on equal points with Birkirkara. Sliema move into second place, one point adrift, as a mere three points separate the top six teams in the most balanced start to the season for years.

This match had all the makings of an extremely tough assignment for Hibernians, who, like their opponents, had been unbeaten in their previous four matches. Yesterday they faced a highly experienced side who managed to up the tempo in the late stages and win this rollercoaster.

Sliema fell behind but recovered to equalise before halftime, only to go in front in the second half and concede Hibernian’s quick equaliser with 20 minutes remaining. When the match seemed heading for a draw, Sliema got a late winner through their Australian substitute.

Injury had deprived Hibernians of their work horse Galabov in midfielder but they welcomed back Mbongo after suspension.

The early exchanges were frenetic rather than cohesive until Hibernians made the breakthrough from a well executed set piece towards the quarter hour. Nisevic’s foul on Scerri on the edge of the area on the left earned the Paolites a free kick which Uruguayan Christian Callejas converted with an exquisite placed shot, leaving keeper Bonello hooked to his line.

That lead boosted Hibernians’ confidence who raked the Sliema area with crosses from both flanks, but few could embarrass the Wanderers’ organised rearguard.

When Sliema found the tempo to their liking however, they knitted together some of the first half’s most pleasing moves. One of them, by the half hour, brought them the equaliser. Bajada’s through pass found Woods inside the Hibernians’ area but when keeper Muscat looked to have saved the latter’s shot on the turn, he somehow dropped the ball when coming in contact with a team mate and Kosta Bjodev took advantage to tap the loose ball in from close distance.

Hibernians were rattled and seemed to have lost their early vigour. Sliema controlled well and it was only on the stroke of halftime that their goalkeeper was again severely tested, forced to repel a Failla fierce free kick from the edge of the area.

Bonello again came to Sliema’s rescue shortly after resumption. He acrobatically tipped Scerri’s firm header on Failla’s cross over the bar into a corner.

Scerri did not find the required coordination in front of goal when put clear by Calleja’s pas which beat the square Sliema defence.

Towards the hour, Bajada played a free kick square to Briffa, whose grounder was deflected into a corner. Sliema put in Saverino for Vella before the hour to add some required impetus.

But Hibernians looked more menacing with their forays down the left flank. They were stunned on 68 minutes however by Sliema’s goal. Kosta Bjodev picked his spot from the edge of the area after a short clearance on Bajada’s effort to give Sliema the lead.

But that lasted only two minutes. Mbongo ran down the right on the byeline, passed the ball back to the unmarked Herrera whose grounder was parried by keeper Bonello, only for Jonathan Caruana to shoot in the loose ball.

The thrills were far from over. Ten minutes from the end, Saverino hit Bartolo’s cross first time, thumping the ball against the bar with keeper Muscat completely beaten and minutes later Bjodev arrived fractionally late on another Saverino inviting cross before being substituted.

Sliema showed more willingness to win the match in the late stages, and were rewarded on the stroke of time as Daniel Saverino stole the limelight with a superb goal – another unstoppable shot from some 25 metres out at the top left hand corner, on Bonello’s kick forward. Hibernians were stunned but their time was up, denying them the chance to hit back.

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Hibernians: M. Muscat, J. Caruana, E. Herrera, A. Pulis (L. Grech), A. Xuereb, K. Formosa (T. Caruana), C. Failla, C. Callejas, J. Pearson, A. Mbongo, T. Scerri

Sliema W: H. Bonello, A. Muscat, B. Nisevic, K. Bjodev (N. Turner), M. Bartolo, J. Chetcuti, I. Woods (J. Mintoff), I. Ciantar, J. Vella (D. Saverino), R. Bajada, R. Briffa

Referee: A. Zammit asst.refs: P. Agius, M. Debono 4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: C. Callejas, K. Bjodev (2), J. Caruana, D. Saverino

Yellow cards: B. Nisevic, A. Muscat, J. Pearson

Player of the match: Kosta Bjodev (Sliema W)

TMI top three: 1. D. Saverino 2. K. Bjodev 3. J. Caruana