HIBERNIANS - 2
SLIEMA WANDERERS - 1
Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, A. Pulis, B. Kristensen, Z. Levnaic, A. Cohen, J. Bezzina, J. Lima (S. Chircop), A. Kardeck (J.P. Farrugia), C. Failla, M. Dias
Sliema W: G. Zammit, A. Muscat, L. Martinelli, P. Barbetti, M. Scerri, C. Gatt Baldacchino, I. Woods, A. Laudisi (M. Ciantar), S. Bajada, A. Faccini (J. Mintoff), S. Bianciardi
Referee: M. Apap
Asst.refs: P. Apap, A. Borg Cardona
4th official: A.M. Sant
Scorers: C. Failla 10, I. Woods 20, A. Kardeck 51
Yellow cards: B. Kristensen, A. Kardeck, P. Barbetti, L. Martinelli, S. Biancardi
Player of the match: J. Lima (Hibernians)
TMI top 3: 1. J. Lima 2. M. Dias 3. I. Woods
Attendance: 573
Hibernians were back in the groove after their reverse against Valletta, beating Sliema Wanderers 2-1 to lift themselves into second place, above Birkirkara.
This was a good chance for the Paolites to improve upon the previous week’s embarassing defeat and to close the gap on Valletta to only one point.
Hibernians played some good passing football. They were well drilled defnsively, creative in midfield and dangerous in attack. They had plenty of good performers too, from Pulis and Failla at the back to Kristensen, Cohen and Dias in midfield, but Jackson Lima was the chief mentor with his running, deliverey and finishing.They wer full value for their win.
Suspension to their defender Rodolfo Soares, forced coach Woods to make some tactical changes, with Adrian Pulis moving as centre back and Clayton Failla dropping to left back. Johan Bezzina started in midfield with the returning Marcelo Dias preferred to Jean Paul Farrugia.
Despite defeat, Sliema put up a decent challenge and showed plenty of energy, although that alone does not win you games. Mostly second best to their opponents they were found wanting in the final third and should have shown more attacking intent to really trouble Mario Muscat in the Hibernians’ goal.
The Wanderers were bereft of the suspended Ruggiero and gave a start to their new signing Shawn Bajada, who had a good performance for his new club. That meant there was again no place for Beppe Muscat, Miguel Ciantar and Matias Muchardi.
The first half was played high on energy as both sets of players showed physical endevour. Play flowed from one end to another with fast players from both sides making dangerous forages inside the opposite areas. It lacked excitement but was quite entertaining.
The two goals in the first half came from set pieces though. After 10 minutes Hibernians broke the deadlock when a Lima free kick was deflected by Clayton Failla’s glancing header past the surprised keeper Zammit.
Sliema levelled matters ten minutes later. Ivan Woods’ fierce free kick from the edge of the area on the left, took a wicked deflection to render keeper Muscat helpless.
Hibernians’ immediate response came from Dias, with his incursion from the right and low cross from the byeline but Cohen and Kardeck failed to steer the ball towards goal.
Hibernians carved two more chances before halftime. Dias cut towards the middle butr shot wide and Cohen headed Lima’s cross off target.
The second half was equally eventful if not slightly more exciting. Hibernians restored the lead after five minutes when awarded a corner for the keeper’s save on a Lima powerful shot. Lima played the corner from the left and as Cohen’s first effort was blocked, Alan Kardeck applied the final touch from close range.
The goal sapped away some of Sliema’s confidence. Keeper Zammit was forced to stretch himself to save Cohen’s low free kick. On the other end, from Bajada’s corner from the left, headed the ball slightly over.
Sliema regrouped, putting in Ciantar for Laudisi and on 66 minutes Martinelli’s deep cross from the right was hooked by Alex Muscat and hit towards the middle but keeper Muscat saved.
On 75 minutes Bajada’s free kick went wide and despite an injection of urgency Fasccini spurned a good chance as he failed to put his header on target from an inviting Woods’ cross.
With the minutes ticking away, Hibernians were probing for that assuring goal. Six minutes from the end, Dias went inside the Sliema area but the ball was blocked by the grounded Gatt Baldachino’s hand. The referee failed to see the incident and turned down the Paolites’ legitimate claims for a penalty.
Luckily, Hibernians could defend their lead with minimal difficulty till the end to take full points they richly deserved.