Sliema Wanderers 1
Ohawuchi 90 pen;
Hibernians 3
Farrugia 8; Obiefule 30; Edison 89;
Hibernians produced champagne football to jink their way effortlessly past Sliema Wan-derers in what was billed as a direct clash for third spot.
As it turned out, the expected equilibrium was never on as the Paolites drew on their striking acumen, provided by Obinna Obiefule, Jean Paul Farrugia and Luis Edison, to breach their opponents’ flimsy armoury.
The speed, power and confidence of the Hibs strikeforce contrasted starkly with the casual approach of the Blues, fresh from their win over Qormi in the FA Trophy semi-finals.
With Obiefule in goal-hungry mode, coupled with the subtle skills of Edison and Jackson Lima’s vision, Hibs reigned supreme.
The one-match ban imposed on Alex Muscat and Admir Vladavic forced Sliema coach Alfonso Greco into two changes from his side’s victory over Qormi. Jacob Borg and Kane Farrugia deputised for the suspended duo.
Ivan Woods’s decisive contri-bution in the semi-final win over Qormi did not go unnoticed as the veteran striker took the place of Trevor Cilia.
Goalkeeper Henry Bonello was also back, replacing Glenn Zammit. Sliema had John Mintoff and Jacob Borg pushing up the flanks and Stanley Ohawuchi playing slightly behind Woods.
Hibs made only one change from the Birikirkara win, the returning Ryan Camilleri taking the place of Bjorn Kristensen, suspended.
But coach Branko Nisevic was forced into a change inside the first minute when Scott Chircop limped off with injury.
Farrugia and Edison played behind Obiefule, Hibs’ lone striker, as Zoran Levnaic, coming on for Chircop, took up screening duties in front of the back four.
Sliema’s cautious approach encouraged Hibs to take the initiative in the opening period.
Obiefule tested waters with a low drive which Bonello pushed around the post early on.
But on eight minutes, Farrugia stooped to get his head to a free-kick by Failla and sent header beyond Bonello’s reach.
The Paolites remained the brisker side. Edison’s run into the box exposed Sliema’s defensive frailties as the Brazilian set up Obiefule whose close-range shot was kept out by Bonello.
In the 20th minute, Jackson Lima also shot from the distance but his effort sailed just high.
Hibernians’ superiority brought a second goal on the half-hour mark when Farrugia burst forward on the right flank before directing a low cross to Obiefule who flicked past Bonello.
Two goals down, Sliema were desperate for a lifeline.
They almost got one just before half-time but Ohawuchi headed over from Paltemio Barbetti’s free-kick.
Ineffective as an attacking force in the first half, Sliema did show signs of improvement after the break but Greco’s men were relying too much on hopeful shots from the distance.
Shy of the hour mark, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino’s long-range drive finished wide.
Yet, it was much of the same soon after as Lima’s low drive demanded a diving save from Bonello as Hibs went close to breaching Sliema’s goal again after 69 minutes.
Bonello again saved superbly from Edison after the Brazilian striker was released by a clever back-heel from 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 Hibs quickly regained the initiative.
A neat move involving Lima, Cohen, on as a substitute, and Edison was rounded off by the latter who hammered the ball into the corner of the net.
Lima deftly flicked the ball into the path of Cohen whose grounder rolled past the diving Bonello and against the base of the far post but Edison scored from the rebound.
At the death, Camilleri handled the ball in the box to concede a penalty. Ohawuchi dispatched his shot past Hibs keeper Daniel Balzan but that was only scant consolation for Sliema.
Sliema Wanderers
H. Bonello-6.5, J. Borg-5, K. Farrugia-5 (60 A. Xuereb-5), J. Mintoff-5.5, M. Scerri-5 (46 B. Muscat-5), S. Ohawuchi-6, C. Gatt Baldacchino-6, I. Woods-5, P. Barbetti-5, M, Muchardi-5, S. Bianciardi-5.
Hibernians
D. Balzan-6, T. Tabone Desira-6, J. Pear-son-6, S. Chircop- (2 Z. Levnaic-6.5), I. Radusinovic-6.5, R. Camilleri-6, Jackson-7.5, C. Failla-6, O. Obiefule-7, L. Edison-7 (90 J. Degabriele), J.P. Farrugia-6.5 (68 A.Cohen-6)
Referee: Mario Apap.
Yellow cards: Mintoff; Ohawuchi; Radusinovic; Camilleri.
BOV player of the match: Obinna Obiefule (Hibernians).
Attendance: 626.