Sliema Wanderers secured a decisive victory over Hibernians, fueled by an early goal, to maintain pressure on the league’s top teams.

 

The Wanderers were the dominant side throughout the match, fully deserving the three points. The win keeps them just one point behind Floriana and three points away from league leaders Birkirkara.

 

Hibernians, meanwhile, remain in fourth place. Their performance was underwhelming, with a notable reaction only after conceding the second goal.

 

Sliema made two changes to the lineup that defeated Naxxar Lions, with Jonata and Adam Magri Overend coming in for Vito Plut and the injured Cain Attard. Hibernians’ coach Branko Nisevic introduced four changes, with Pablo Sanchez starting in goal instead of Hugo Sacco, while Kleiton, Bjorn Kristensen, and Alex Bruno replaced Ayrton Attard, Dexter Xuereb, and Federico Falcone.

 

The match began with Hibernians creating a chance in the opening minute, as Alex Bruno’s diagonal shot narrowly missed the target. However, Sliema responded immediately, taking the lead in the third minute when Jonata’s assist from the right set up Adam Magri Overend to score past Pablo Sanchez.

 

Hibernians attempted a quick reply, but Bruno’s effort in the 10th minute went over the bar. Sliema extended their lead in the 35th minute when Gustavo Alcino flicked the ball into the net following a headed pass from Magri Overend after a Steve Pisani corner.

 

In the second half, Sliema continued to press, with Jonata’s long-range shot saved by Sanchez in the 54th minute, followed by a close attempt from Myles Beerman moments later.

 

Hibernians managed to reduce the deficit on the hour mark when Alex Bruno converted a Jurgen Degabriele cross with a first-time strike, leaving goalkeeper Emeka Kelvin Agu helpless. However, Sliema quickly restored their two-goal advantage just three minutes later. Mohamed Awad, set up by Pisani, saw his initial shot blocked, but he made no mistake with the rebound, scoring to make it 3-1.

 

Sliema continued to threaten, with Sanchez denying Bastos in the 68th minute by rushing out to clear the danger. Hibernians came close to another goal late on, as Pedrao tested Agu with a header from a Lucas Caruana free-kick in the 84th minute, but it wasn’t enough to alter the result.

 

This commanding performance keeps Sliema in the hunt for the top spot, while Hibernians will need to regroup to improve their form.