Hibernians 3
Pearson 65; Lima 78; Failla 83 pen;
Sliema Wanderers 2
Bajada 24; Ciantar 40;
It was too tempting for the Paolites after the Stripes handed the initiative back to Michael Woods’s side following their partial slip-up to Mosta but it proved an uphill struggle for Hibernians to see off Sliema Wanderers.
Hibs had to produce a stunning late show to take all three points from a match they were losing 2-0 after 65 minutes, and join Birkirkara at the top of the table on 39 points.
Not only trailing to two wonder goals but effectively smothered by a well-organised and energetic Sliema side, this match looked a bridge too far for the Paolites who were limp in the first half but energised by their flat-out approach after the break.
In the end, it was Nigerian striker Obinna Obiefule, a half-time substitute, who made all the difference, strengthening the Hibs front line and forcing the decisive penalty seven minutes from time.
Alfonso Greco’s starting XI showed three changes from the 2-0 defeat to Valletta as Luca Martinelli was preferred to John Mintoff, Stanley Ohawuchi replaced Luigi Ruggiero and Mark Scerri, available after a one-match ban, was drafted back into the first team at the expense of Beppe Muscat.
With Brazilian defender Rodolfo Soares absent due to suspension, Woods opted for a three-man defence and a dense midfield in which Zoran Levnaic occupied the holding role with Marcelo Dias and Clayton Failla on the flanks in a 3-4-3 configuration.
The front three spread even wider than usual with Luis Edison and Andrew Cohen staying on the wings rather than coming inside immediately to make diagonal runs.
Seven minutes into the match, Clayton Failla incurred the wrath of Sliema with a tough tackle on Ivan Woods. Woods’s injury forced Greco into his first substitution with Miguel Ciantar coming on for the former Floriana striker.
The first chance came Sliema’s way after 13 minutes. Paltemio Barbetti swung in an inviting ball from the right, Stefano Bianciardi headed it into the path of Matias Muchardi whose feeble shot was repelled by Mario Muscat.
Hibernians had the ball in the net in the 24th minute when Luis Edison prodded home from the rebound after Jackson Lima’s screamer ricocheted off the crossbar but the ‘goal’ was annulled for offside.
This proved to be the preamble to Sliema’s opener which came two minutes later. Shawn Bajada burst forward on the left before arrowing an unstoppable shot that soared over Muscat and nestled into the top corner.
Bajada’s screamer was a knock-back for the Paolites who struggled to regain their composure.
The Wanderers were quick to switch from defence to attack as Ohawuchi demonstrated some excellent footwork, having dispossessed Adrian Pulis inside the box, but Muscat thwarted the Nigerian striker when saving his effort with his feet.
Hibs’ outing took another turn for the worse five minutes from half-time when a through-ball from Ohawuchi caught the Hibs defence high up the pitch and Muchardi outpaced Ryan Camilleri before serving Ciantar on the right.
The substitute lifted the ball over Muscat and into the top corner of the net, much to Ciantar’s delight as this was his first goal this season.
Two goals down, Hibs emerged from the dressing room firmly intent on disturbing Sliema’s flow as Woods hurled caution to the wind by bringing on another striker, Obiefule, for Levnaic.
With five attack-minded players in his team now – Dias, Jackson Lima, Cohen, Edison and Obiefule – the Hibs mentor decided to alter his tactical gameplan pushing Pulis upfield as a makeshift striker during set-pieces.
In the 50th minute, Sliema goalkeeper Glenn Zammit was alert to push the ball away for a corner from Failla’s grounder. From the ensuing corner, Failla’s cross found Pulis who rose above the goalkeeper but Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was providential in clearing the ball off the line.
Sliema were now defending deep but in doing so, they ceded the initiative to Hibernians. Jonathan Pearson revived his side’s hopes 20 minutes into the second half when he touched the ball into the net as Bjorn Kristensen appeared to head the ball into the goalmouth from Jackson Lima’s corner.
The Paolites’ siege showed no signs of abating, Sliema skipper Alex Muscat hooking Cohen’s cross over the bar five minutes later. Sliema’s relief was palpable but Hibernians struck in the 78th minute.
Pulis’s fine cross from the left was headed goalwards by Edison Tarabai and the ball fell kindly to Jackson Lima who pushed the ball over the line.
Sliema tried to punish the Paolites’ flat-out approach with quick counter-attacks. Ohawuchi produced a series of flicks and spins as well as speed which created havoc inside the opponents’ half. Pulis’s clearance appeared to wrong-foot Muscat who just managed to keep it out.
Ten minutes from time, Scerri’s teasing effort, following a short corner by Muchardi, finished on the inner side of the post with Cohen clearing the danger.
But Hibernians were not to be denied and they grabbed the all-important winner seven minutes from time.
Edison sped clear of Gatt Baldacchino before Zammit came off his line to leap at the feet of the Brazilian.
Obiefule, an enterprising figure in Hibs’ revival, followed the action to pick up the ball but ended on the turf after being challenged by Muscat.
Referee Chris Lautier pointed to the spot and Failla kept his cool to bury the ball behind Zammit, sending the Hibs supporters into raptures.
Hibernians
M. Muscat-6, R. Camilleri-5, A. Pulis-7, J. Pearson-6, Z. Levnaic-5 (46 O. Obiefule-7), B. Kristensen-5.5, M. Dias-5, Jackson Lima-6, A. Cohen-6, C. Failla-7, L. Edison-6.5 (90 A. Kardeck).
Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-6, A. Muscat-5, L. Martinelli-5, S. Ohawuchi-7, P. Barbetti-5, M. Scerri-6, C. Gatt Baldacchino-6, I. Woods (8 M. Ciantar-6, 62 J. Mintoff-4), S. Bajada-6, M. Muchardi-6.5 (86 A. Faccini), S. Bianciardi-6.5.
Referee: Chris Lautier.
Yellow cards: L. Edison; Zammit; Scerri; Failla; Lima.
BOV player of the match: Clayton Failla (Hibernians).
Attendance: 1,751.