Woods saves point for nine-man Sliema

Sliema Wanderers 2
Woods 32, 89
Hibernians 2
Cohen 41 pen.; Barbara 76

Amid their struggles to justify their title credentials, Sliema were accused of lacking character but such criticism looked way off the mark yesterday.

Trailing 2-1 to Hibs and down to nine men as the game drifted into the dying stages, the Blues showed tremendous character as they found energy and courage to storm forward. Their perseverance was rewarded as on the cusp of time, Ivan Woods snatched an unlikely but deserved equaliser.

That goal extended Sliema's unbeaten run under coach Mark Marlow to four matches. Their spirited comeback also adds credence to suggestions that the Blues could still play a meaningful part in the title race. Not the same can be said of Hibs who have now gone six league matches without a win.

The Paolites endured an indifferent start but took control after Ryan Fenech was red-carded in the first half. However, they failed to match Sliema's fighting spirit as their failure to translate possession into goals, although this also owed to Simon Agius's defiance in the Sliema goal, proved costly.

At first, scoring chances were rare as both teams struggled to make inroads in opposing territory. But two minutes past the half-hour, Sliema broke the deadlock. From a Mintoff free-kick, Josef Mifsud got a touch to the ball which was deflected towards Woods and the Sliema captain had the easiest of jobs tapping home.

Hibs were now obliged to raise their game but their reaction was sterile initially. Adrian Pulis headed high from a Tristan Caruana corner and, at the other end, Mario Muscat stopped Mifsud Triganza's grounder.

Nine minutes from half-time, Muscat kept Hibs in the game when effecting an excellent save to repel Mifsud Triganza's effort.

With Hibs looking fragile, Sliema turned the screw. Woods hit a powerful shot from the distance but Muscat was alert as he touched the ball around his near post.

Sliema were dominant now but, out of the blue, they suffered an unexpected double blow.

From Caruana's swinging corner, Pulis arrowed his shot towards the top corner where Fenech raised his arm to stop the ball from flying into the net.

Referee Paul Caruana pointed to the spot and reached for his red card to dismiss the Sliema player before Cohen slammed his spot-kick.

The balance of power now swung decidedly in favour of Hibs. Elton Morelato embarked on a jinking run from the right but his effort was kept out by Agius. Five minutes into the second half, Agius denied Hibs a second goal as he blocked Pulis's drive.

Buoyed by their numerical advantage, Hibs now surged forward with renewed zest. Christian Callejas got on the end of Pulis's cross but his flick was stopped by Agius.

The champions then fluffed a gilt-edged chance to take the lead as Cohen's looping free-kick was headed towards the far post by Aaron Xuereb but the lunging Pulis just failed to make contact.

Despite being a man short, Sliema refused to buckle. Failla broke Hibs' dominance with a free-kick that was touched away by Muscat. On another occasion, Mifsud Triganza's header was also saved by the Hibs goalkeeper.

Then, it was the turn of Agius to steal the show with a fine reflex save from Jonathan Caruana's first-timer.

Hibs' pressure paid off 14 minutes from time. Pulis, one of Hibs' better performers, picked out Barbara who cut in from the left before drilling a low shot past Agius.

Any hopes Sliema had of salvaging a draw petered out when Alex Muscat was shown a straight red card for tripping Cohen after Hibs had broken on the counter.

Cohen took the ensuing free-kick but his shot cannoned off the bar.

Sliema refused to give in. Mifsud's cross was headed backwards by Mifsud Triganza but shots by Failla were repelled by Callejas and Barbara.

At the other end, Agius was forced to rush out to close down Morelato who was clean through.

A minute from time, Sliema's never-say-die spirit brought its just rewards. Failla's corner was cleared by Hibs but only as far as Woods whose volley gave Muscat no chance.

Sliema Wanderers
S. Agius-7, A. Muscat, I. Azzopardi-5, J. Mifsud-7, R. Fenech, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6.5 ('90 C. Gatt Baldacchino), I. Woods-7, L. Dronca-6.5, I. Ciantar-6 ('86 J. Alcorse), J. Mintoff-6.5 ('61 N. Turner-6), C. Failla.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-8, J. Caruana-6, E. Herrera-5, A. Pulis-7, A. Xuereb-5.5, T. Caruana-6 ('59 E. Barbara-6.5), C. Callejas-6 ('88 B. Camilleri), R. Camilleri-5, M. Lopes de Pina-5.5, E. Morelato-5.5, A. Cohen-6.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Yellow cards: Fenech; Morelato; Herrera; Failla; Barbara; Mifsud.

Red cards: Fenech (SW) 40; Muscat (SW) 80.

BOV player of the match: Mario Muscat (Hibs).