Hibernians-Sliema W. 2-2

Hibernians: M. Muscat, M. Bartolo, J. Pearson, R. Soares, M. Dias (J.P. Farrugia), A. Cohen, B. Kristensen, J. Lima, C. Failla, L. Edison, O. Obiefule

Sliema W: H. Bonello, A. Muscat, J. Borg, M. Scerri, S. Ohawuchi, A. Bello-Osagie (A. Navarra), C. Gatt Baldacdchino, T. Cilia (I. Woods), A. Barbetti, M. Muchardi, S. Bianciardi

Referee: C. Pisani

Asst.refs: T. Debono, M. Scerri

Additional asst refs: C. Lautier, T. Farrugia Cann

4th official: K. Azzopardi

Scorers: T. Cilia 44, J. Lima 61, A. Cohen 65, A. Muscat 78

Yellow cards: M. Scerri, P. Barbetti, M. Dias, T. Cilia, L. Edison, J. Lima, A. Navarra

Player of the match: J. Lima (Hibernians)

TMI top three: 1. P. Barbetti  2. J. Lima  3. A. Muscat

Attendance: 716

For Sliema Wanderers this was a valuable draw that coach Alfonso Greco can construe as a moral victory, especially after the dismal showing and embarassing defeat against Valletta in the previous outing.

This time the Wanderers showed enough determination to halt Hibernians’ runaway start of the season.

Hibernians’ perfect start thus came to an end although they still enjoy the Premier League’s primacy after eight games.

Suspensions to Zoran Levnaic and Ryan Camilleri, forced coach Branko Nisevic to reshuffle the Hibernians starting-line up, following seven consecutive wins. Matthew Bartolo started as right back with their four-men midfield composed of Dias, Kristensen, Lima and Cohen. Obinne Obiefule and Luis Edison formed the partnership in attack.

Sliema made only one change from the side that lost heavily to Valletta before the international break. Trevor Cilia replaced the suspended John Mintoff while Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was handed a start.

The Wanderers were confronted by the attractive 3-4-1-2 system with which Nisevic has largely brought the best out of Hibernias  just lately but, after resisting some sustained early pressure, Alfonso Greco’s players managed to take a slender lead before halftime.

Hibernians’ comeback in the second half saw them turn the tables on their opponents within four minutes and take a temporary lead themselves, until they were caught out by Sliema’s equaliser.

A fairly dismal opening to the match, provided few thrills in the first half hour, with many niggling fouls and four bookings before any goalkeeper had been really tested.

After that, Bello-Osagie, who took a little time to settle, connected well to Cilia’s cross inside the Hibernians area. His header was blocked into a corner by Bartolo.

On 38 minutes, Edison ran down the right and sent a low ball across the face of the Sliema goal. Cohen and Obiefule failed to connect.

Hibernians threatened again a minute later with a Lima free kick from the left, cleared short by Sliema’s defence. Obiefule’s tame effort was blocked by keeper Bonello.

But, with halftime looming, Sliema broke the deadlock. Barbetti’s low free kick was deflected off the wall, fell in the path of Trevor Cilia who beat keeper Muscat from a tight angle.

As expected, the Paolites made an impressive reaction after the interval and showed their intentions as early as the 53rd minutes when Obiefule had beaten the Sliema offside trap when put clear by Edison. Keeper Bonello rushed of his line to block.

Sliema were conceding possession in slapdash fashion and the power balance began shifting. Past the hour Failla struck one of his lethal freekicks from outside theare at the top corner. Keeper Bonello reached for it at the top left hand corner to tip the ball against the bar. Jackson Lima was alert to pick the loose ball and score to level matters.

Hardly four minutes later, Andrew Cohen connected well to Failla’s cross from the left to head his side in front. At that stage, the leaders had deserved their lead after being on top for a protracted spell.

Sliema looked heading towards a second consecutive defeat but with 12 minutes remaining, they showed some renewed hope, winning a free kick just outside the Hibernians area.

Muchardi kicked the ball inside the opponents’ area as captain Alex Muscat darted in to beat keeper Muscat and snatch a draw that looked beyond them.

Hibernians failed to win, but as it is a point was enough to keep them top of the standings.