Hibernians-Sliema W. 0-0

Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis (M. Gauci), A. Xuereb (B. Kristensen), J. Pearson, E. Herrera, R. Hart, M. Clarke, A. Cohen, Z. Levnaic, P. McManus, M. Tabone (T. Caruana)

Coach: M. Miller

Sliema W: E. Aktpan, J. Briffa, J. Mifsud, S. Souare, M. Scerri, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, S. Bezzina, C. Gatt Baldacchino (R. Bajada), J. Paris (O. Obiefule), J. Lima, J. Mintoff (M. Ciantar)

Coach: M. Marlow

Referee: P. Caruana, Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, T. Debono, 4th official: T. Farrugia Can

Yellow cards: E. Herrera, J. Briffa, S. Souare, J. Mintoff

Player of the match: E. Herrera (Hibernians)

TMI top 3: 1. J. Pearson 2. S. Souare 3. Z. Levnaic

As the scoreline suggests, this was a game that almost refused to spark into life. Of course, it was between two teams struggling at the bottom end of the table, which ended in a goalless stalemate.

Sliema Wanderers have now gone five matches without a league win while a league win has eluded Hibernians for the seventh consecutive time this season.

Hibernians’ worrying lack of form to many of their players, again rendered them impotent, unable to break down Sliema’s dogged defence although they went closest when denied by the woodwork.

If the Paolites’ were unimaginative in attack, Sliema Wanderers were even worse as they made rare forays forward and only looked menacing on a few set pieces. Erratic finishing again let them down as they have failed to score in their last three matches.

Both coaches deemed it fit to make tactical changes and reinforcements to their side. Hibernians had Mat Clarke playing back in central defence, with Pearson moved in the middle. Matthew Tabone was right back as Herrera was assigned an advanced role on the flank.

Sliema Wanderers had Etim Aktpan playing in goal instead of Szentpeteri. Julian Briffa was preferred to Beppe Muscat at the back while Josef Mifsud and Jackson Lima were back in the side after missing the previous match. Obiefule was named among the substitutes and went in for the last half hour. Roderick Bajada only played for the last four minutes.

In the first half the match was bottom of the table stuff with much running but little purpose. Both goalkeepers needed not be in attendance for the first half hour until Mifsud Triganza sent an inviting cross inside the Hibernians area for Mintoff but keeper Muscat managed to block at his feet.

Hibernians were menacing on 34 minutes. Pearson’s free kick was held out by keeper Aktpan and in the ensuing scramble inside the Sliema area, Hibernians’ goal bound effort was blocked unintentionally by Herrera.

Before half time, Sliema went close with a Lima free kick which was blocked by Muscat on the ground.

The second half was equally littered with many misplaced passes and missed chanced from both ends as the football remained of the poorest quality.

When Herrera went past Bezzina on the right flank and crossed for Cohen to connect, his effort was blocked into a corner.

The ball was kicked from one side to another in scrappy fashion. Mintoff’s low diagonal shot was saved by keeper Muscat. Then Mifsud Triganza shot horrendously over.

On 74 minutes, following good work by Mifsud Triganza, keeper Muscat had to rush off his line to block before Obiefule could connect.

Hibernians changed three of their back four, substituting Pulis, Xuereb and Tabone in the late stages and Sliema were forced to substitute the injured Mintoff with Ciantar.

But that did not change the pattern of the match.

Pearson’s timely neat tackledenied Mifsud Triganza as Sliema Wanderers tried to increase their efforts.

Hibernians almost snatched the points with one minute remaining. Substitute Kristensen’s shot rebounded off the post to Aktpan’s left but the Sliema keeper recovered in time to block McManus’ effort on the rebound.

But a draw was a fair result. Neither side deserved to win.