Hibernians 2

Hamrun S. 1

Hamrun Spartans’ efforts were not enough to deny Hibernians a place in this season’s U*BET FA Trophy after a five-year absence.

The Paolites, with assistant coach Richard Mercieca at the helm, following the dismissal of Mark Miller last week, were tactically more organised to win this semi-final against Hamrun Spartans, beaten by sheer expertise.

A goal in each half, gave Hibernians a two-goal cushion in a rather timid display. Hamrun’s penalty came too late in the game as they failed to summon enough effort to at least force extra time.

Suspensions deprived Hibernians of two key players like Clayton Failla and Luis Edison. Dias, perhaps not fully fit, started on the bench, with Adrian Pulis and Steve Pisani given the nod.

Ominously for their opponents, Hamrun were bolstered in attack by the return of Dene Shields after injury. Matthew Gauci and Steve Bonnici were their wide backs, with Roderick Fenech and Ronnie Hartvig their two central defenders. Gianluca Calabretta and Lee Agius were named among the substitutes, with Daniel Zerafa again preferred in midfield, as Hamrun stayed composed and more cautious, with six players at the back.

They thus handed the early initiative to Hibernians, who failed to make it count during the first part of the half, except for a Herrera good run down the left and his shot cleared into corner after keeper Borg had only parried.

Hamrun’s first threat came from a Sammut corner, headed over from close range by Ribeiro past the quarter hour.

On 25 minutes, Cohen’s curling free kick rebounded off the post to the static keeper’s left and on the half hour, Hibernians broke the deadlock, from another set piece. Rodolfo Soares reached for Lima’s floating free kick before keeper Borg to head into an unattended net.

Despite their lead, Hibernians failed to up the tempo and remained mostly erratic in their passing. But Hamrun could only threaten with a Grima shot that keeper Muscat turned into a corner as the first half fizzled out into a scrappy affair.

Hamrun hinted to a rally after the restart and Grima’s powerful free kick was headed out by Cohen. But it was a brief illusion because Hibernians put in Marcelo Dias for Pulis past the hour and Vandelannoite retreated in defence.

Dias stayed on the pitch for only 20 minutes as he strained a muscle and was again substituted. His good run from the right on 71 minutes ended with a poor shot on the keeper, before Hibernians doubled their lead on 73 minutes. Steve Pisani chased Cohen’s long pass and outpaced Gauci through the middle to beat helpless Hamrun keeper with a low drive.

The unmolested Pisani should have sealed the result for Hibernians three minutes later when Dias rolled the ball square to him in front of goal, but keeper Borg did well to block at his feet.

Hamrun were handed a lifeline eight minutes from the end when Ryan Camilleri’s late tackle on Ribeiro inside the area earned them a penalty. Dene Shields tucked it away to reduce the arrears, but it was too little too late. Hibernians were not so naïve to let the big occasion slip away and defended their lead with minimal difficulty.

Only Qormi now stand between their success in next Sunday’s final.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, J. Pearson, R. Soares, R. Camilleri, A. Pulis (M. Dias) (P. Anizoba), J. Vandelannoite, J. Lima, E. Herrera, B. Kristensen, A. Cohen, S. Pisani (J. Bezzina)

Hamrun S: O. Borg, R. Fenech, R. Hartwig, S. Bonnici, M. Gauci, M. Grima, D. Zerafa (G. Calabretta), K. Sammut, G. Spiteri (L. Agius), D. Shields, A. Ribeiro

Referee: F. Zammit

Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, R. Vella

4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: R. Soares 30, S. Pisani 73, D. Shields 82, pen

Yellow cards: K. Sammut, E. Herrera, J. Pearson, S. Pisani, G. Calabretta, G. Spiteri, R. Camilleri, P. Anizoba

Attendance: 1,872