Sliema 3 Hibernians 3

Sliema and Hibernians shared the spoils in six-goal thriller. Sliema's initial formation featured two new players - Bulgarian forward Danail Mitev and former Vittoriosa striker Jorge Santos Silva were the newcomers in Danilo Doncic's selection. Roderick Bajada, enjoying career rebirth under the Serbian coach, was handed the captain's armband.

With four Hibernians players making their debuts, 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 half-fit Edward Herrera.

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 and 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 Santos Silva, 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 of the game gone; Scerri sent a shot over the bar.

But Scerri redeemed himself on the stroke of halftime. 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 ball with a dipping shot.

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.

And 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.

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.