Sliema 3
Mifsud Triganza 5; Lima 16; Scerri 45;
Hibernians 3
Edison 4, 70; Failla 11;

On the evening that the Premier League raised its curtain, Sliema and Hibernians served up a spectacle that included everything – from brilliant individual goals to a dramatic finale in a match which was a good advert for Maltese football.

Both teams were searching the road to redemption after falling into the Relegation Pool last season.

After a soul-searching exercise in the summer, both clubs brought in reinforcements including new foreign players to strengthen their chances of claiming a Champ-ionship Pool berth this season and on this evidence, it looks like both are well placed to attain their goal.

Sliema’s initial formation featured two new players – Bulgarian forward Danail Mitev and former Vittoriosa striker Jorge.

Roderick Bajada, enjoying a career rebirth under coach Danilo Doncic, was handed the captain’s armband.

With four Hibernians players making their debut, there was lots of encouragement for Mark Miller and his decision to opt for Luis Edison as their new foreigner partnering Andrew Cohen up front was entirely justified. The Englishman preferred Clayton Failla, up against his former club, on the left-hand side of midfield to the half-fit Edward Herrera.

Both players were at the heart of a dramatic opening period. Failla dictated the game in an enthralling opening half, showing his full range of passes and pace.

However, it was Edison who headed in Steve Pisani’s cross past Henry Bonello after a diagonal run to the near post after just four minutes.

But the Paolities’ joy was short-lived as barely one minute later, Sliema levelled matters. Running on to Mark Scerri’s through-pass, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza beat Mario Muscat with a fierce grounder.

The better football was always played by Hibernians in the early stages and their fans were treated to a gem of a goal on 11 minutes as Failla’s thumping free-kick soared past Bonello and into the top left corner of the net.

In another demonstration of resilience and never-say-die spirit, Sliema found another crack in the Paolities’ defence and Jackson Lima scored with an angled half-volley five minutes later.

From then on, Sliema, inspired by the composure provided by Jorge, managed to overpower the gallant Hibernians.

The Wanderers squandered a glorious opportunity to put their noses in front for the first time, when with 40 minutes gone Scerri sent a shot over the bar.

But Scerri redeemed himself on the stroke of half-time. Mitev unsettled the Hibs defence with dazzling run down the middle before he unleashed a shot which was intercepted by Muscat. The clearance fell to Scerri who drilled home the rebound with a dipping shot.

After the interval, Sliema attacked straight from the kick-off and the totally unmarked Jorge sprinted into the box and let loose a powerful shot that hit the foot of the post.

Hibernians did manage to take the fight to their opponents soon after and forced a goal-line clearance by Bajada after Edison darted in with a flying header.

Sliema may feel the game turned on the moment early in the second half when Scerri was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence as with 30 minutes remaining, the Blues were reduced to 10 men.

Newcomer Ryan Grech replaced Mitev in a bid to shore up a 10-man Sliema side.

Mark Miller’s men seemed rejuvenated and after 70 minutes, Edison crashed the ball home when his thunderous right-footed shot went beyond the reach of keeper Bonello.

Failla was very much at the heart of Hibernians’s belated efforts to take all points. In the 81st minute, he hit a firm drive from outside the area but Bonello saved.

Few moments later, the Wanderers threatened again and Jorge unsettled the defence with a teasing ball but Muscat kept his team in the game with a diving save.

Sliema Wanderers: H. Bonello-6, J. Briffa-5.5 (52 B. Muscat-4), J. Mifsud-5, M. Scerri, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-6 (77 C. Frendo), D. Mitev-6.5 (61 R. Grech), S. Bezzina-6, C. Gatt Baldacchino-6, Jackson Lima-8, R. Bajada-6.5, Jorge-7.5.

Hibernians: M. Muscat-6.5, R. Camilleri-6, D. Balbinot-5, R. Soares-5, A. Pulis-5.5, B. Kristensen-6, S. Pisani-6.5 (86 P. Anizoba), C. Failla-7.5, T. Caruana-5 (65 E. Herrera), A. Cohen-6.5, L. Edison-7.5.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Yellow cards: Scerri, Bajada, Balbinot, Gatt Baldacchino.

Red card: Scerri (S) 59.

BOV player of the match: Jackson Lima (Sliema).

Attendances: 2,004.