A two-goal burst at the start of the second half gave Sliema Wanderers a deserved victory over Hibernians, as the Wanderers now join Birkirkara and Floriana at the top of the table, with the Blues having played a game more.

Hibernians had the better start but Sliema took control of the match especially in the second half when they took full command of the midfield sector with Rodrick Bajada giving a five start performance.

Sliema won the match in midfield, as Bajada, Briffa and Barbara muscled their way beating their opponents who faded miserably after a healthy start.

Edafe was of little help to Doffo and Agius, whilst Alcorse, who scored his first Premier goal yesterday, was never really effective leaving Scerri all the burden of the Paolites' attack.

Other Sliema players that played their hearts out yesterday were defender Ian Azzopardi who had some impressive runs on the left and Ivan Woods who scored the winner, which was also his first goal this season.

Hibernians were menacing after barely three minutes with Alcorse failing to connect to a dangerous Cassar freekick. Hibernians set the pace at the start with Doffo and Cohen dictating matters in midfield. The same Cohen tested Akanji on ten minutes.

In Sliema's first reply Rodrick Briffa blasted high from just inside the area. Andrew Cohen went very close with a well executed free-kick. Sliema had their appeals for a penalty turned down, and Rodrick Briffa severely tested Muscat who dived well to save.

Sliema were now playing better with Woods missing an easy chance in front of goal, and with Muscat stretching to full length to deny Etienne Barbara from scoring his fifth goal of the season.

On 36 minutes Hibernians broke the deadlock when Terence Scerri crossed to Alcorse and the Argentine striker's low shot on the turn finished in the corner of the net.

The second half had a slow start with both teams keeping the initial eleven. However Sliema were back on level terms on 52 minutes with Rodrick Bajada’s gem of a goal when he beat Mario Muscat from the edge of the area after dribbling past two Hibernians defenders.

Sliema were in front on the hour with some deadly finishing by striker Ivan Woods who beat Muscat from close range after a good run on the right by Rodrick Briffa.

Five minutes later Sliema should have sealed the issue when Madzar shot incredibly over the bar after a Ryan Mintof defensive blunder.

On 75 minutes Ivan Woods was put through by Barbara, but the Wanderers' striker was blocked in time by a desperate Muscat sortie, with Woods limping off injured.

In the last minutes Hibernians tried to save the match but were never really dangerous in front of Akanji as the Wanderers cruised to a merited victory.

Sliema W: M. Akanji, I. Azzopardi, A. Muscat, B. Said, R. Bajada, I. Woods (N. Turner), O. Anonam (M .Bartolo), A. Madzar, R. Briffa, S. Pace, E. Barbara (M. Scerri).

Hibernians: M. Muscat, K. Cassar (N. Chukunyere), J. Caruana, C. Failla, R. Mintoff, E. Agius, J. Alcorse, P. Doffo, T. Scerri, A. Cohen, E. Uzeh (A. Xuereb)

Referee: P. Caruana, asst.refs: K. Borg, P. Agius, 4th official: A. Zammit

Scorers: J. Alcorse, R. Bajada, I. Woods,

Yellow cards: E. Agius, I. Woods, M. Muscat

Player of the match: R. Bajada (Sliema Wanderers)

TMI top three: 1. R. Bajada 2. E. Barbara 3. T. Scerri

Two more matches today

The Bank of Valletta Premier League's round 5 continues today with another two matches.

The first, kicking off at 6pm should see a keen affair between Msida St Joseph and Hamrun Spartans, while in the second encounter, Valletta have a good chance to get back into the reckoning as they face bottom placed Mqabba at 8pm.