Hibernians 2
Lima 61; Cohen 65;
Sliema Wanderers 2
Cilia 44; Muscat 78;

It was back to basics for Sliema Wanderers yesterday.

Having looked out of sorts in their 3-0 defeat to Valletta, Sliema were clearly intent on cutting out the defensive mistakes that marred their performance in their previous league outing as they faced the high-flying Hibernians who came into this match with a flawless record of seven wins from their opening seven league outings.

Alfonso Greco, the Wanderers coach, opted for a more prudent approach.

Mindful of the threat posed by Hibs on the wings, Alex Muscat and Jacob Borg, the Blues’ flank defenders, rarely ventured forward, especially in the first half, as Sliema looked happy to allow Hibs do the running and try to go forward on the counter.

Their patient approach had the desired effect as Sliema not only contained Hibs’ ineffective pressure in the first half but also took the lead thanks to Trevor Cilia.

A slow-burning game sprung to life in the second half and so did Hibs. They had initially found it hard to penetrate on the wings but better movement by their wide players and forwards unsettled Sliema who were on the ropes, conceding two goals in a five-minute spell midway into the second half.

Hibs looked to have done enough to win the game but Sliema committed more men forward in search of an equaliser and their efforts were rewarded when Muscat hit the target 12 minutes from time to avoid a second consecutive defeat for his team and spoil Hibs’ 100 per cent record.

With Ryan Camilleri and Zoran Levnaic ruled out with suspension, Hibs coach Branko Nisevic indulged in some positional tinkering. Matthew Bartolo and Nigerian Obinna Obiefule, scorer of Hibs’ second goal in the 2-0 victory over Mosta, were awarded starting roles.

Nisevic deployed Bartolo on the right of defence with Clayton Failla on the left and Marcelo Dias pushing down the right wing in a fluid 4-3-2-1 formation.

Greco also made two changes. Cilia deputised for John Mintoff, out with a one-match ban, while Clifford Gatt Baldacchino started ahead of Beppe Muscat.

Appalled by Sliema’s defending in their previous outing, Greco will have hoped that the inclusion of Gatt Baldacchino would restore some stability at the back as Muscat, who had looked uncomfortable in the centre-half role in the Valletta defeat, reverted to right-back in a 4-3-3 configuration.

Hibs shaded the early exchan-ges but rarely stretched Sliema beyond routine work.

The Blues’ initial toils to counter the sharp movement of the Hibs midfielders and forwards resulted in Mark Scerri and Paltemio Barbetti receiving a yellow card in the opening 11 minutes for late tackles on Luis Edison and Jackson Lima respectively.

Misplaced passes, fouls and blocked shots were the order of the day for much of the opening 25 minutes which were devoid of chances.

In Abubakar Bello-Osagie and Stanley Ohawuchi, Sliema have two menacing forwards but their top priority yesterday was to keep it tight at the back with Scerri and Barbetti sitting deep to protect their defence.

Barbetti miscued his effort after the ball had broken to the Italian midfielder after Sliema had messed up a set-piece just outside the penalty box.

At the other end, Failla’s mishit shot was off target as the two teams struggled for fluency.

A minute short of the half-hour, Sliema finally created a scoring opportunity.

Cilia’s cross from the right soared across the face of goal and towards Bello-Osagie but the Nigerian’s far-post header was cleared away for a corner by Bartolo.

Eight minutes from half-time, Luis Edison accelerated into the box but his cross found no takers.

Moments later, Lima’s set-piece cross sparked a goalmouth melee with the ball falling to Obiefule whose tame drive was easily blocked by Henry Bonello.

A poor backpass by Bjorn Kristensen forced Hibs goalkeeper Mario Muscat to dash out of his goal and belt the ball away.

It was Sliema who surged in front just before half-time.

Barbetti’s low free-kick from the inside-right channel was partially blocked by the Hibs wall, the ball reached Cilia who hammered a low shot past Muscat from an angled position.

Just before the end of the opening half, Failla had a good chance to equalise for Hibs as Lima’s free-kick flew towards the Malta wing-back but his near-post header was wide.

The second half was five minutes old when the Wanderers threatened to double their advantage.

Mathias Muchardi, racing into the box from his midfield position, was totally unmarked as a floated pass dropped into his path but his half-volley was wide.

Hibs had an inviting opportunity to drag themselves back on level terms when Edison’s lofted pass opened up the Sliema defence. The ball landed at the feet of Obiefule who darted to his right but Bonello made himself big to close down the Hibs forward.

The erstwhile subdued Hibs fans suddenly found their voice. Their backing also looked to en-liven their team as, a minute past the hour, the Paolites equalised.

Failla’s perfectly-flighted free-kick from the distance looked destined to soar into the top corner of the net but Bonello just managed to touch the ball onto the crossbar. The loose ball fell to Lima who stroked home from point blank.

Buttressed by their equaliser and Failla’s marauding runs down the wing, Hibs seized the upperhand.

They moved 2-1 up on 65 minutes when Failla galloped forward on the left and his cross was met by the unmarked Andrew Cohen whose header beat Bonello at the near post.

Nisevic then hauled off Dias, unusually quiet yesterday, in favour of Jean Paul Farrugia while Ivan Woods replaced Cilia for Sliema.

With 13 minutes remaining, Sliema made it 2-2. Muchardi picked out Muscat inside the area and the Sliema captain’s strike gave Muscat no chance.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-5, M. Bartolo-6, J. Pearson-6.5, R. Soares-6.5, M. Dias-4 (69 J.P. Farrugia-5), A. Cohen-7, B. Kristensen-5, J. Lima-6.5, C. Failla-6, L. Edison-6.5, O. Obiefule-5.

Sliema Wanderers
H. Bonello-6, A. Muscat-6.5, J. Borg-6, M. Scerri-7, S. Ohawuchi-5.5, A. Bello-Osagie-5 (86 A. Navarra), C. Gatt Baldacchino-6, T. Cilia-6 (70 I. Woods-6), P. Barbetti-6.5, M. Muchardi-6, S. Bianciardi-6.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow cards: Scerri; Barbetti; Dias; Cilia; Edison; Navarra.

BOV Player of the match: Jackson Lima (Hibernians).

Attendance: 716.

Standings