Fourth win in a row puts Paolites in second place

Hibernians joined Valletta in second place, four points behind leaders Gzira, as they registered a fourth consecutive win, defeating Sliema Wanderers 1-0 at the Centenary Stadium on Monday.

Sliema are now fourth, two points behind the Paolites. This was the second defeat for the Wanderers after dropping just four points in the previous games in a defeat to Gzira and a draw with Hamrun.

Hibs had one change from the team which defeated Hamrun as Connor Zammit replaced Isaac Ntow. Sliema, on the other hand, had Michele Sansone and Younes Marzouk replacing John Mintoff and Frank Temile.

Following a goalless first half, Hibernians managed to break the deadlock eight minutes in the second half when Joseph Mbong won possession on the right flank and served Taylon Correa Marcolino who slotted the ball past Jake Galea.

SLIEMA Jake Galea, Matias Muchardi, Mark Scerri, Jefferson de Assis, Ryan Fenech (85′ John Mintoff), Michele Sansone, Stefan Cassar (62′ Frank Temile), Claudio Pani, Goran Adamovic (46′ Kurt Shaw), Stefano Bianciardi, Younes Marzouk.
Subs not used: Timothy Aquilina, Alex Muscat, Jonathan Pearson, Peter Xuereb.
Coach: John Buttigieg
Asst. Coach: Ivan Woods

HIBS Andrew Hogg, Dunstan Vella, Nemanja Radojevic, Joseph Essien Mbong, Marcelo Dias, Jurgen Degabriele (89′ Igor Bubnjic), Bjorn Kristensen, Taylor Nicolas Correa Marcolino (72′ Fernando Costa Tenorio), Connor Zammit, Andrei Agius, Tiago Adan Fonseca (67′ Johann Bezzina).
Subs not used Rudy Briffa, Timothy Tabone Desira, Daniel Abela, David Xuereb.
Coach: Stefano Sanderra
Asst. Coach: Ryan Pulis

Referee: Philip Farrugia
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Stefan Pace
Yellow Cards: Cassar, Kristensen
BOV Player of the Match: Joseph Mbong
Attendance: 448