Hibernians 0
Sliema Wanderers 2
Muchardi 70; Zammit 82;

Sliema Wanderers blew the Premier League title chase wide open last night after finally finding the character to beat main con-tenders Hibernians 2-0.

Second-half goals from Matias Muchardi and Ian Zammit gave the Blues renewed hopes that this season’s ambitions might just be different from the pre-set European football berth.

Two points off the summit, Sliema extended their unbeaten streak to six games in a decisive showdown which saw the misfiring Paolites slump to a second successive defeat.

Ivan Woods replaced Stanley Ohawuchi in the only change in the Sliema team from the 0-0 draw against Valletta. The veteran striker was the attacking spearhead in Alfonso Greco’s fluid 4-3-2-1 formation with Zammit and Shaun Bajada granted freedom to probe for openings.

Hibernians defender Ryan Camilleri was ruled out with suspension while Allan Kardeck was demoted to the bench as Brandon Muscat and Jonathan Pearson were awarded a starting role. Brazilian forward Luis Edison was among the substitutes.

Despite the 1-0 upset to Birkirkara, Michael Woods kept faith with a 4-1-4-1 module that had Jean Paul Farrugia stationed in front of the attacking midfield quartet of Cohen, Dias, Lima and Clayton Failla.

Sliema were the better team early on even though their only attempts at goal came from two long range shots that finished well off target. Alex Muscat’s attempt after 14 minutes also sailed over the bar.

The Paolites looked more comfortable in playing the waiting game and try to hit their opponents on the counter. But the Wanderers coped well at the back with lone striker Farrugia left to fend pretty much on his own.

In the 20th minute, Zammit sent a dangerous cross inside the Hibs penalty area but Mark Scerri failed to make contact with the ball and the chance went begging.

Short of the hour mark, coach Woods tried to lift Hibs’ game and Luis Edison ‘Tarabai’ came on for the subdued Bjorn Kristensten.

The move seemed to inject some fresh ideas into Hibs’ play as Cohen gave the illusion of a goal but his free-kick finished inside the side-netting.

A few minutes later, Greco effected his first substitution, bringing on Italian striker Luigi Ruggiero for Ivan Woods as the second half was at times played under a downpour.

With the match goalless in the last 20 minutes, Greco’s team still showed they could find a breakthrough that could encapsulate the slight, yet clear, superiority they had during the match.

Muchardi latched on to a long pass, his first attempt was blocked by Brandon Muscat but he curled a superb right foot drive into the corner beyond Mario Muscat’s reach.

Hibs hit back and Tarabai carved through the retreating Sliema defence but hit the ball wide.

And as the Paolites desperately searched for a late equaliser, Zammit broke free on the right flank to guide in the killer second goal.

Despite finishing the match with ten men – after Luca Martinelli had received his marching orders for two bookable offences – Sliema kept their opponents at arm’s length.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-5, A. Pulis-5 (30 S. Chircop-5), J. Pearson-5, R. Soares-5.5, M. Dias-5 (72 Allan Kardeck), A. Cohen-6, B. Kristensen-5.5 (56 Edison-4), Jackson Lima-5, C. Failla-5, J.P. Farrugia-4.5, B. Muscat-5.

Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-5, A. Muscat-6, L. Marti-nelli, P. Barbetti-6.5, M. Scerri-5, I. Zammit-6, C. Gatt Baldacchino-6.5, I. Woods-5 (64 L. Ruggiero-5), S. Bajada-6 (88 J. Mifsud), M. Muchardi-7.5, S. Bianciardi-7.5.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Scerri; Dias; B. Muscat; Martinelli; Lima; Edison; Gatt Baldac-chino.

Red card: Martinelli (SW) 87.

BOV Player of the match: Matias Muchardi (Sliema Wanderers).

Standings