Despite beating Hibernians comfortably and convincingly, Sliema Wanderers were yesterday condemned to play in the Relegation Pool in the Second Phase.

It was a must for Sliema to win this match to maintain their hopes of earning a Top Six berth.

But the results at the other venues meant that Marsaxlokk and Hamrun made it to the Top Six alongside Valletta, Tarxien, Birkirkara and Floriana, while Qormi and Sliema will have to play in the Relegation Pool, alongside Hibernians and Vittoriosa Stars.

This was a one-sided affair as Sliema dominated from start to finish. In the first half, the Blues were all over their opponents and had they taken all the chances which came their way, they would have obtained a cricket The Paolites were once again poor. They simply did not live in the same street as the Wanderers who dominated by taking midfield in hand and showing menace through Barbara, Mifsud Triganza and Failla.

In the second half, Sliema maintained their huge dominance as Hibernians struggled to get going, giving more than enough space to the Blues to move forward with purpose and with a certain amount of ease.

For Sliema, Alex Muscat made a welcome first appearance after a long-term injury which kept him out since the start of the season. Unfortunately he had to leave the pitch early as he suffered another injury.

Sliema went straight on attack and after two minutes, Mifsud Triganza had a header easily saved by Muscat.

A minute later, a freekick by Jackson Lima passed dangerously across goal with at least three Blues players failing to make contact.

Sliema maintained their pressure and on 13 minutes, it was Barbara who tested Muscat, but the Hibs goalie saved on deck.

Sliema got their reward on 15 minutes. It was Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who hit home direct from a freekick, giving Muscat no chance.

On 21 minutes, Mario Muscat came to his side’s rescue as he rushed out of his charge to block a Failla incursion after a lapse by the Hibs defence.

Soon after it was Pulis who cleared in extremis as Barbara went through the Paolites defence.

On the half hour, Sliema threatened to score again. From a Failla freekick, Barbara passed to Lima who, however, shot wide.

Immediately afterwards, from another Barbara cross, it was Mifsud Triganza who missed a sitter, heading wide from three metres. The same player missed another good chance on 35 minutes, hitting the ball well over the bar from a central position in the area.

Sliema doubled the score on 39 minutes, when from a Lima pass, Barbara gave Muscat no chance with a splendid shot.

As the second half started, Sliema added another goal to their tally. From a Barbara cross, Failla passed back to Lima who hit first time into the net from the edge of the area.

Soon after, it was Failla who saw his effort blocked by Pearson in front of goal.

It was 4-0 on 53 minutes. Failla won a ball and passed to Mifsud Triganza who flicked forward to the completely unmarked Barbara. The later had no difficulty in planting the ball into an empty net.

Hibs finally made their presence felt when Fairbairn tested Szentpeteri on 61 minutes, but the Hungarian goalie turned to corner.

Encouraged by results from the other venues, Sliema now could relax and could also afford to miss further chances through Lima and Failla.

Sliema W. V. Szentpeteri, J. Briffa, J. Mifsud, M. Scerri (A. Muscat), JP Mifsud Triganza (C. Lachcim), S. Bezzina, C. Gatt Baldacchino, J. Lima, R. Bajada, C. Failla (A. Spiteri), E. Barbara.

Coach D. Doncic.

Hibernians M. Muscat, M. Tabone (T. Caruana), J. Pearson, M. Gauci, E. Herrera (B. Kristensen), R. Hart, P. Osei, B. Fairbairn, A. Cohen (JP Farrugia), S. Pisani, A. Pulis.

Coach M. Miller.

Referee M. Borg.

Asst. refs I. Spiteri, E. Spiteri.

4th official K. Azzopardi.

Scorers JP Mifsud Triganza 15, E. Barbara 39, 53, J. Lima 46,

Yellow cards R. Hart, M. Tabone

Player of the match E. Barbara (Sliema W.)

TMI Top 3 1. E. Barbara, 2. C. Failla, 3. JP Mifsud Triganza.