With virtually nothing at stake, Sliema Wanderers beat Hibernians with a late penalty in a lacklustre match, with the goals being the only noteworthy episodes.

The second half was marginally better as four goals were scored in a 20 minute spell. Sliema twice went ahead but were caught out by Hibernians’ equalizers in both occasions, until the second penalty of the match awarded to them earned them the win at the death.

Hibernians had Aaron Xuereb, Mat Clarke, Matthew Gauci and Andrew Cohen making starts for their team and Sliema Wanderers welcomed back Roderick Bajada from suspension, but had Mark Scerri missing. Henry Bonello and Obinne Obiefule were also given starts.

But that failed to raise spirits in a meaningless match that the Relegation Pool often presents at this stage.

The game resembled a friendly as both sets of players took a stroll in the sunshine over Ta’Qali Stadium.

The teams did not manage one shot on target during the first 20 minutes. After that we were presented with a McManus shot took a deflection but landed in keeper Bonello’s safe hands.

Hibernians looked menacing when Osei played a square pass to Caruana whose powerful shot was turned into a corner by Bonello.

And the Paolites again went close on the stroke of halftime. Fairbairns’ free kick from the left was headed by Tabone towards the middle and Xuereb tested keeper Bonello with a firm header, tipped into a corner over the bar.

Although play remained mostly chaotic in the second half, at least it produced four goals, including two Sliema penalties.

Sliema were more fried up after the resumption, showing more attacking intent, and in no time carved two scoring opportunities. Failla outplayed keeper Balzan with his header but, challenged by Xuereb, failed to put it on target. Then the Hibernians’ shot stopper repelled Obiefule’s close range effort.

On the hour Mifsud Triganza’ curling shot was held out by Balzan.

With the Wanderers more likely to score, they broke the deadlock two minutes later when awarded a penalty for Clarke’s late tackle on Obiefule inside the area. Jackson Lima converted with a low drive.

Hibernians took eight minutes to draw level when Andrew Cohen beat keeper Bonello with an exquisite left foot curling shot, hitting the innerside of the upright.

On 75 minutes a Jackson Lima free kick from the left took a slight deflection which caught keeper Balzan off balance and the ball ended behind him and over the line.

That required Hibernians to summon more effort in search of an equaliser. It came on 79 minutes. Triston Caruana picked the ball inside the area on the left and after keeper Bonello blocked his first effort, he was rendered helpless on the loose ball.

Caruana could have even given Hibernians the lead on 81 minutes but Bonello held out his close range shot with a smart save.

Both teams had effected all their three substitutions and as the match was heading towards a fair draw, Hibernians’ substitute Tanti grounded Dalli inside the area to concede a second penalty in the dying minutes. This time, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza stepped up to score to give Sliema a win which only serves for statistical purpose.

Hibernians D. Balzan, E. Herrera, M. Tabone, A. Xuereb, M. Clarke, P. Osei, T. Caruana, B. Fairbairn (R. Hart), A. Cohen, M. Gauci (A. Azzopardi), P. McManus (K. Tanti)

Coach M. Miller

Sliema W H. Bonello, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, S. Bezzina, C. Gatt Baldacchino, J. Lima, O. Obiefule, C. Lachkhem (R. Dalli), R. Bajada, J. Mintoff (J. Briffa), B. Muscat (A. Caligari), C. Failla

Coach D. Doncic

Referee M Apap

Asst.refs K. Borg, M. Scerri

4th official P. Caruana

Scorers J. Lima 62 pen, 75, A. Cohen 70, T. Caruana 79, J.P. Mifsud Triganza 90

Yellow cards J. Mintoff, M. Clarke, J. Briffa, K. Tanti

Player of the match A. Cohen (Hibernians)

TMI top 3 1. P. Osei 2. J. Lima 3. A. Cohen