Failla penalty goal enough for Hibs

A 34th minute strike from a penalty by Clayton Failla was enough for Hibernians to beat Sliema and collect their first points of the new season.

The Paolites showed much better form than when they surprisingly lost 1-3 to Hamrun last week and even if they won by a slender one-goal margin, their victory was well merited.

For Sliema, it was another disappointing result – a second consecutive defeat which keeps them hovering at the bottom with no points from two matches.

The match took quite some time to get going as both defences appeared to be well in command against their opponents’ front lines.

However, at the end of the first 45 minutes, the Paolites merited their slender lead.

In the second half, it was Sliema who dictated play as they did everything in search of an equaliser.

However, Hibs remained calm at the back with Andrei Agius and Rodolfo Soares well in command of the central approaches.

The Blues had a few good chances, but they never managed to pierce the Hibs rearguard thus succumbing to their second consecutive defeat.

Hibs had the first pot at goal as Kristensen tested goalie Sarao with a grounder from 30 metres. The goalie saved in two attempts.

Another Hibs attack in the 22nd minute saw Johann Bezzina setting Jackson Lima in the Sliema area, but the latter’s effort just missed the target.

In the 25th minute, the promising Bezzina went past two Sliema defenders only to see his shot going just wide of the target.

Moments later, Dias was through in the Sliema area, but goalie Sarau dived at his feet to block to corner. From Failla’s kick, it was Soares who had a header deviated to another corner.

In the 34th minute, Hibernians were awarded a penalty when Dias advanced through the middle and set Renan Pimenta Tellas who was floored by goalie Sarao. Referee Sant showed no hesitation in pointing to the spotkick while showing a yellow card to the goalie. Clayton Failla sent the goalie the wrong way to open the scoring.

At the other end, from a Muchardi cross, it was Mintoff who tested Hogg seriously, but the Hibs goalie was equal to the task.

In the 44th minute, Kristensen had a low shot deviated by a defender, but goalie Sarao dived to save.

In added time, Sliema almost equalised. A melee ensued in the Hibs area after Hogg mistimed a sortie, but Peter Xuereb hit wide from an ideal position.

Sliema went out on attack at the start of the second half and in the 52nd minute, Alex Muscat had a shot from an angle going wide.

The same Muscat was again in action soon after with a fine rising shot from the edge of the area, but Hogg covered himself with glory as he flew sideways to turn to corner in style.

In the 64th minute, Kristensen had a shot well saved by Sarao. At the other end, Jean Paul Farrugia had a good run from midfield, but his final shot was weak and wide.

On the 75th minute, Degabriele set Jackson Lima whose shot was excellently saved by Sarao.

With 10 minutes to go, it was Bezzina who weaved his way past the Sliema defence only to see hjis grounder saved with some difficulty by Sarao.

Standings

Birkirkara Balzan Valletta Hamrun Floriana Hibernians Gzira Tarxien Mosta Pembroke Sliema St. Andrews P W D 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 L 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 2 2 1 F 8 5 3 3 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 0 APts 0 6 3 6 1 6 1 3 1 3 3 3 1 1 5 1 4 0 4 0 3 0 4 0