Hibernians 2
Hamrun S. 1
(after extra time)
Hibernians: M. Calleja Cremona, F. Apap, L. Da Silveira (D. Vella 59), J. Mbong, J. Grech, B. Kristensen (S. Mancini 67), C. Uzeh (A. Attard 85), G. Izquier, A. Agius, J. Santos Silva (T. Tabone Desira 106), I. Iriberri
Hamrun: E. Bartolo, A. Capitelli (M. Gauci 96), C. Borg (A. Scicluna 59), J. Soares, C. Failla, N. Leone, D. Borg, K. Micallef, C. Flores (L. Soufiane 73), G. Alhinho, M. Cinquini
Referee: P. Farrugia
Asst refs: P. Apap, I. Galea
4th official: E. Mangion
Scorers: G. Alhinho 6, J. Santos Silva 69, I. Iriberri 105
Yellow cards: F. Apap 32, C. Uzeh 39, M. Leone 61, E. Bartolo 94, G. Alhinho 97, D. Borg 118
TMI Top 3: 1. J. Grech, 2. G. Alhinho, 3. F. Apap
An Imanol Iriberri extra time strike landed Hibernians in the semifinals of the competition at the expense of Hamrun Spartans.
In a keenly contested encounter, Alhinho scored for Hamrun early with the Paolites scoring their temporary equaliser through Santos Silva.
In the first half, Hamrun took the lead early and from then on, they created the better scoring chances, even if Hibernians enjoyed more possession.
However, despite their insistence in attack, the Paolites were dangerous only once in front of the Hamrun goal and that was only near the end of the first half when an Apap header hit the upright.
It was Hamrun, in fact, who had two good chances to increase their lead with Calleja Cremona effecting a crucial save which kept his side in contention.
In the second half, Hibernians took the initiative right from the start and were a better proposition than in the first period.
After scoring the equalising goal, they were the best team, keeping Hamrun in their own half for long stretches, but it was Hamrun again who went closest to scoring through another Alhinho freekick.
It was no surprise that the match went into extra time. It was here that the Paolites gained the upper hand, scoring what proved to be the winner just before the end of the first half.
After that, the Spartans were a spent side and never showed their early determination, thus giving the opportunity to the Paolites to gain access to the semifinals comfortably.
Hamrun could not have had a better start as they took the lead on 6 minutes. They were awarded a freekick outside the Hibs area and Goncalves Alhiho took charge of the kick which completely beat Matthew Calleja Cremona.
In the 13th minute, Hibs replied through a Ferdinando Apap header which went just wide after a good cross from Jake Grech.
In the 24th minute, Hamrun's Carlos Flores attempted a shot from the edge of the area, but the ball went well over the bar.
Moments later, Clayton Failla set Jorge Soares in the Hibs area, but goalie Calleja Cremona became a protagonist as he blocked the Hamrun striker's close range effort.
In the 28th minute, it was Nicola Leone who attempted a fine chip from the edge of the area. The ball beat the Hibs goalie, but it landed on the roof of the net.
In the 42nd minute, Hibernians finally made their presence felt as from a Gabriel Izquier cornerkick, Ferdinando Apap was unlucky to see his header hitting the upright with the ball rebounding into the grateful hands of goalie Emmanuel Bartolo.
Hibs started the second half on the offensive and on the 49th minute, Bartolo had to dive full length to palm the ball away from a Grech good effort.
Hamrun missed another glaring opportunity in the 68th minute when Leone set Soares who advanced to the edge of the area, but his lob, although beating Calleja Cremona, finished over the bar.
Moments later, Hibernians equalised as Mbong set Jorge Santos Silva on the edge of the Hamrun area, and his angled rising shot took Bartolo completely by surprise.
In the 75th minute, from a Grech cross, it was Iriberri who beat Bartolo with a good header, but the ball went just a few centimetres wide.
Ten minutes from the end, Hibs again threatened through an Iriberri shot, but Bartolo saved confidently.
But the nearest team that came to scoring again was Hamrun in the 89th minute. How unlucky was Alhinho who saw another shot from a freekick hitting the upright with Calleja Cremona beaten!
Hibernians took the lead in the 105th minute. From a Grech cross, it was Iriberri who headed past the stranded Bartolo.