Cohen strikes again to sink Spartans

Hibernians 1 Hamrun Spartans 0

Andrew Cohen was again the executioner of Hamrun Spartans this season as his spectacular 88th-minute goal saw Hibernians lowering the colours of a gallant Hamrun Spartans side to put the Paolites into the semi-finals of the FA Trophy.

It was the second time that Cohen had been the architect of a Hibs' victory over the same opponents this season.

In the Premier League first round match between these two sides, the Spartans again looked on course to snatch a valuable point but their efforts were dashed by the nippy Hibs striker who produced a spectacular winner to give his team all three points.

The same script was repeated yesterday. Hibernians controlled the match for long stretches but they rarely threatened and were thwarted by a spirited Spartans defence that closed all gaps in their own half. When the Hibs forwards did carve an opening, Hamrun goalkeeper Jason Cordina was there to avert danger.

The sparse crowd at the National Stadium thought the match would drag into extra-time but Cohen came to his side's rescue when the second-half substitute curled the ball home from a free-kick to keep his team on course for a second major domestic honour after the Yuletide Quadran-gular Tournament.

Spartans coach Michael Degiorgio elected to start with only one foreign player in his formation, Adam Mansueto, the Maltese Australian midfielder.

Nigerians Maczerob Okoro, Patrick Ndah and Chidi Nwankwo were all named on the bench together with striker Gaetan Spiteri. Ryan Fenech was back in the squad after missing the previous matches through injury.

Robert Gatt, still without long-term absentees Terence Scerri, Peter Pullicino, Jonathan Pearson and Antoine Zahra, effected one change to the team that beat Marsaxlokk.

Edmond Agius came on for Cohen with Haruna Doda filling the striker's role in Hibs' initial 4-5-1 formation.

The opening stages were played at a very slow pace and we had to wait until the 19th minute for the first real shot at goal, Cordina effecting a fine tipping save on David Camilleri's free-kick.

Hibs were dictating the run of play with Hamrun pegged inside their own half defending solidly and trying to surprise their opponents with counter breaks. On 23 minutes, Adrian Pulis drifted an inviting cross towards Agius whose header forced Cordina into a good diving save.

But it was clear that the Paolites were struggling to break down the Hamrun defence, well-marshalled by libero Jonathan Magri Overend.

Mario Muscat, the Hibs goalkeeper, had barely anything to do in the opening half and it was only six minutes from the break when he was called into action. He easily stopped Stefan Sultana's header.

Hibs could have broken the stalemate on the stroke of half-time when Roderick Baldacchino dashed into the area and quickly served Doda who, however, failed to connect in the six-yard box.

At the restart, Hibernians made their first substitution when Cohen replaced Clayton Failla. Gatt clearly was looking to add more punch to his forward line.

It was Hamrun who threatened first three minutes into the second half when from a long David Galea throw-in, Sultana headed the ball towards Mansueto who was anticipated by the alert Muscat. Two minutes later Doda nodded the ball to compatriot Essien Mbong who fired over.

As the minutes ticked away the Spartans were beginning to grow more confident but Hibs almost took the lead on 66 minutes when from Cohen's corner, Mintoff was first on the ball but his header skimmed the upright before finishing wide.

In the 72nd minute, Baldacchino should have put Hibs ahead when he was put through by Camilleri. The Hibs veteran incredibly shot over with only Cordina to beat.

Two minutes later Cordina had to be on the alert to block Cohen's fierce drive after the Hibs forward had beaten two defenders in the box.

The game looked set for extra-time. But all that changed two minutes from time when Hibs were awarded a free-kick just outside the Hamrun box. Cohen stepped up to take the kick and curled the ball past a helpless Cordina.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, A. Mintoff, D. Williamson, E. Mbong, R. Baldacchino ('84 J. Vella), D. Camilleri, E. Agius, C. Failla ('46 A. Cohen), H. Doda.

Hamrun: J. Cordina, A. Attard ('67 S. Sadowski), J. Francica, J. Debattista, D. Galea, A. Mansueto, K. Borg ('90 C. Nwankwo), R. Fenech ('62 R. Fenech), S. Sultana, R. Mangion, J. Magri Overend.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Scorer: Cohen 88.

Yellow Cards: Francica, Fenech, Xuereb, Mintoff, Sadowski.