Hibernians-Valletta 1-2

Hibernians: M. Muscat, T. Fleri Soler, A. Xuereb, J. Caruana, A. Pulis, E. Agius, P. Doffo, U. Edafe (A. Mifsud), C. Failla, A. Cohen, T. Scerri

Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Grioli, J. Mifsud, K. Scicluna, S. Bezzina, D. Camilleri, H. Backhaus, S. Giglio, G. Agius, I. Zammit (S. Monesterolo), F. Temile

Referee: A. Azzopardi asst.refs: P. Agius, A. Camilleri 4th official: K. Azzopardi

Scorers: F. Temile, T. Scerri, G. Agius

Yellow cards: A. Pulis, H. Backhaus, P. Doffo, A. Mifsud, G. Agius, M. Muscat

Valletta were made to work hard to overcame a stern challenge from Hibernians, but finally ousted the holders with the odd goal in three to make further progress in the competition as their winning streak continues.

For all their efforts and fighting spirit, Hibernians finally bowed out of the U*BET FA Trophy after only one appearance this season.

Valletta tried to establish hegemony in midfield and coach Paul Zammit gave a start to Giglio, dropping Monesterolo to the bench. Hibernians, playing in an unfamiliar violet strip, were at full strength.

Both teams came out fried up for the occasion and for a 20-minute spell there was pace and cut and thrust.

Hibernians made the more assertive start. Shots from a distance by Failla and Cohen missed the target. After 12 minutes keeper Hogg rushed out of his line to block Failla and Scicluna cleared Scerri’s effort on the goal line, with Hogg beaten.

On the quarter hour Gilbert Agius beat the Hibernians’ offside trap and advanced unhindered from midfield but keeper Muscat well timed his sortie and footed away the danger.

Failla ran dangerously down the left flank but shot hastily over and on 36 minutes Fleri Soler halted Zammit’s progress inside the area. Temile darted in to shoot the loose ball narrowly wide.

Before the break there were half chances missed by Scerri and Temile at both ends.

But in added time, Frank Temile punished Hibernians for some slack defending, distracting his direct marker Xuereb with some good footwork inside the area before running towards the middle to beat keeper Muscat from close range.

The second half was played in rather chaotic fashion, with Valletta having slightly the edge over their frustrated opponents. Hibernians were looking predictable in their build-ups and Valletta more dangerous on fast breaks.

Past the hour, Bezzina ran in well for Giglio’s through pass but shot over. Then keeper Muscat rushed out to reach the ball before Agius on Zammit’s cross.

On 65 minutes, Mifsud incredibly missed the ball when Agius’ cross found him completely unmarked in front of the Hibernians goal. That heralded Valletta’s best spell.

On 66 minutes, Hibernians drafted in Adrian Mifsud for Edafe and hardly a minute later the teams were on level terms. Valletta failed to clear Pulis’ innocuous cross from right and Terence Scerri headed in at far post.

Valletta were jolted and put in Monesterolo for Zammit. On 79 minutes Temile’s pass to the unmarked substitute was cleverly intercepted by Xuereb, to save his side from embarrassment.

Hardly five minutes later, Temile again crossed low towards the middle for Monesterolo to shoot, but keeper Muscat blocked on the ground.

But Hibernians lapsed to concede their second goal three minutes from time. Giglio’s shot was deflected into Gilbert Agius’ path and the Valletta skipper took his chance well, blasting the ball in from the edge of the six-yard box to book his side a place in the semi-final.