Hibernians stay on course for the double

Champions Hibernians stay on course for the double after defeating Qormi 2-0 in the semi-finals to secure a place in the final of the FA Trophy, sponsored by Attian Group. In the final, scheduled for Saturday, the Paolites will be meeting Birkirkara.

As expected, Branko Nisevic’s side were a better side, taking an early lead, and although Qormi did create opportunities thanks to which they could have equalised, Hibs doubled the score mid-way through the second half to seal the issue.

Hibs had the first attempt at goal on the 4th minute when an Andrew Cohen freekick was parried by Matthew Farrugia. Four minutes later, Jorge da Silva Pereira had a shot blocked at point blank by Farrugia.

The Paolites took the lead on the 11th minute when off a freekick by Andrew Cohen from the left, Bjorn Kristensen and Jorginho tried to head the ball with Andrei Agius placing the ball at the back of the net from close range.

Just before half-time the Qormi custodian performed a good save on a shot on the run by Bjorn Kristensen from the right.

Five minutes in the second half, Leighton Grech went close for Qormi with a cross shot from the right. Nine minutes later, Jackson Lima’s long-distance effort was turned into a corner by Matthew Farrugia.

Hibs doubled the score on the 65th when off a through pass by Rodolfo Soares, Jorge da Silva Pereira advanced before beating Farrugia with a rising shot from the edge of the area.

Qormi were unlucky not to reduce the gap on the 77th when substitute Marcelinho’s freekick hit the crossbar. Five minutes later, a good triangular move between Mbong, Kristensen and Cohen ended with the Hibs captain hitting wide from an ideal position.

Late in the game, Leighton Grech concluded a solo effort with a low shot which was neutralised by Bonello. Finally one minute from time, Jorginho could have added another for the Paolites but hit the crossbar with a header following a corner from the left.

QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Christopher Edafe Uzeh (46′ Marcelo Roberto Lima de Mattos), Alejandro Mendoza Corujo, Steve Agius, Alfred Effiong, Clifford Gauci (86′ Bjorn Bondin), Zoran Levnajic, Jonathan Bondin (73′ Duncan Pisani), Gustavo Villalobos, Leighton Grech, Alex Nilsson.
Subs not used: Mario Muscat, Andreas Vella, Karl Sciortino, George Portelli.
Coach: Mark Miller

HIBS Henry Bonello, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias (80′ Joseph Mbong), Andrew Cohen (88′ Jurgen Degabriele), Johann Bezzina (90′ Dunstan Vella), Rui da Gracia Gomes, Andrei Agius, Clayton Failla, Bjorn Kristensen, Jorge Pereira da Silva.
Subs not used: Jurgen Borg, Keith Tanti, Jonathan Pearson, Marko Rajic.
Coach: Branko Nisevic

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Roberto Vella
Additional Assistant Referees: Marco Borg, Glenn Tonna
Fourth Official: Sammy Attard
Yellow Cards: Uzeh, Rui da Gracia, Villalobos, Soares, Jorginho
Scorers: 11′ Andrei Agius, 65′ Jorge da Silva Pereira
Attendance: 2,044