HIBERNIANS 2
Mbong 52
Grech 68 pen.
SLIEMA WANDERERS 2
Varela 22
Marzouk 40
Hibernians fought back from two goals down to salvage a point against Sliema Wanderers at the National Stadium.
Sliema held most of the initiative for much of the opening 20 minutes with Ryan Fenech in the thick of action as his surging runs from midfield were causing a lot of problems to the Hibernians defence, albeit he found little support from the Blues forwards.
The Blues’ ascendancy was rewarded on 22 minutes when they surged ahead. Fenech picked Ignacio Varela on the near post and the Argentine striker adjusted himself well to volley past Marko Jovicic.
Hibs tried to hit back and they came close six minutes later when Tiago Fonseca hit a low cross that rolled across the face of goal but found no takers. Marco Sahanek seized possession at the far post but fired over.
Things got worse for the Paolites five minutes from the break when Younes Marzouk received the ball from a short corner and let fly an audacious cross-shot that completely surprised Jovicic with the ball finishing into the top corner.
On the stroke of half-time, Fenech again came close for Sliema but his thumping low drive was pushed away by Jovicic.
Hibs showed signs of improvement on the restart and on 47 minutes Joseph Mbong should have reopened the match when he latched onto Marcelo Dias cross but was denied by Aquilina from close in.
Mbong soon made amends as two minutes later he stormed into the area and beat Aquilina on the near post.
Hibs were on top now and Sahanek threatened with a low drive that whizzed past the upright.
On the hour, Fonseca dispossessed Bianciardi inside the area but fired into the sidenetting.
Hibs’ fightback was completed on 68 minutes when Aquilina upended Grech inside the area and from the spot the Malta midfielder made no mistake.
Sliema should have restored their lead on 76 minutes when in a swift break, Fenech played in Varela but was denied by the onrushing Jovicic.
Barely a minute later, another Hibs quick raid saw Grech picking up the unmarked Fonseca who saw his volley coming off the bar.
Hibs ended the match with ten men when Radojevic picked two yellow cards in the space of a minute and was dismissed.
Sliema's Ryan Fenech was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.