HIBERNIANS 2 (Agius 40, Kristensen 72)

SLIEMA WANDERERS 1 (Farrugia 66)

Hibernians were back to winning ways as they beat Sliema 2-1.

The Blues paraded newcomers Doding Priso and Jean Paul Farrugia in attack. But Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi refrained from fielding Denni Rocha dos Santos from the start of what promised to be taxing clash against the champions. With the Brazilian named together with Shola Shodija named among the substitutes.

The Paolites back in full attacking force after the return of Tarabai, seemed to have grasped this reality more than their opponents as they set forth in aggressive mood. Timothy Aquilina saved on Mbong earlier on.

Sliema were forced to defend and their chance only came after a rather casual Borg allowed Mbong’s backpass to slip under his feet, only to recover in time and clear off the line past the half hour mark.

Soon after, Johann Bezzina came within a whisker to break the deadlock when he darted into the box but dragged an angled grounder just wide off the far post.

Hibs’ superior briskness and more penetrative qualities through Dias on the right flank were giving Sliema a harrowing time. Cohen served Bjorn Kristensen who turned well but his shot crashed against the crossbar. And five minutes from half-time, Hibs took the lead. Cohen chipped an excellent cross from free-kick, Agius nipped in perfectly to head into the net past a surprised Aquilina.

That goal spurned Sliema immediately into action as Priso raced down the right flank and fed Bezzina who only managed a shot that finished wide of goal.

Sliema faced a make-or-break scenario after the interval shy the hour mark, they introduced Denni dos Santos.

The prelude to that was provided Priso who served the effervescent Alex Muscat whose diagonal ball was nicely presented to Jean Paul Farrugia. His clinical touch into the net put the cherry on the cake.

That quick turnaround prompted Niservic to bring on Degarbriele as he took up an advanced role behind Edison and Jorge. And the reward was not long in the coming. With the clock weighed down towards the last quarter, the Champions won a free-kick from a slightly angled position. Jackson Lima took the free-kick and in came the rasping shot from Kristensen which was too hot to be stopped by Aquilina.

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