SLIEMA WANDERERS 1

Ohawuchi 90 pen

HIBERNIANS 3

Farrugia 8; Obiefule 30; Edison 89.

Hibernians produced champagne football to sail way effortlessly past Sliema Wanderers in what was billed as direct-clash for the third spot.

Obiefule tested waters with a low drive which Bonello pushed around the post in the sixth minute. But two minutes later, Farrugia stooped to get his head to a free-kick by Failla and arched a header beyond Bonello’s reach.

The Paolites remained the brisker side. Few moments later, Luis Edison’s run into the box exposed Sliema’s defensive frailties to set up Obiefule whose close-range shot was kept out by Bonello. In the 20th minute, Jackson Lima also tried his luck from the distance but his effort sailed just high.

Hibernians’ superiority a second goal on the half hour mark when Farrugia burst forward on the right flank before directing a low cross to Obiefule who rifled past Bonello.

With the team 2-0 down, Sliema were desperate for a lifeline and they almost got one just before half-time but Ohawuchi headed over from Paltemio Barbetti’s free-kick.

In the 76th minute, Henry Bonello again saved superbly on Tarabai after the Brazilian striker was released by a clever back-heel from Jackson Lima.

Sliema striker Ohawuchi refused to lie down and nine minutes from time, the Nigerian hit a curling shot that came off the bar before bouncing off to safety.

But Nisevic did not look back and a neat move involving Jackson Lima, Cohen and Edison was rounded off with the latter whacked the ball into the corner of the net. Jackson deftly flicked the ball into the path of the path of Cohen whose grounder rolled past the diving Bonello and against the base of the far post but Edison hit home from the rebound.

At death, Ryan Camilleri handed the ball inside his own box to concede a penalty and Ohawuchi duly dispatched it behind Daniel Balzan, the Hibernians custodian from the spot.