Late Agius goal ousts holders Hibs

Hibernians 1
Valletta 2

Valletta stayed in the hunt for a league and cup double after edging out holders Hibernians 2-1 in yesterday's FA Trophy quarter-final.

With the score tied at 1-1 and only five minutes of normal time left, Valletta captain Gilbert Agius struck the winning goal to send his team into the last four and end Hibernians' hopes of atoning for their league disappointment by retaining the KO title.

Chasing a third successive triumph in this competition, the Paolites took to this crucial tie in a 4-4-2 formation as coach Robert Gatt sought to contain his opponents in midfield. Andrew Cohen and Terrence Scerri were given the onus of making the most of the supply of passes from midfielders Pablo Doffo and Edmond Agius.

Valletta coach Paul Zammit opted for a 4-3-1-2 formation with Agius deployed just behind the two strikers, Frank Temile and Ian Zammit, as Sebastian Monesterolo was left out of the first team.

Valletta gave every ounce of their energy to win the top-of-the-table match against champions Marsa-xlokk last week but yesterday they did not display any signs of fatigue as the return of Temile from suspension provided the ideal tonic for the Premier League leaders.

Hibs wing-back Clayton Failla was the first player to get a sniff at goal on ten minutes but his volley from the left failed to trouble Andrew Hogg in the Valletta goal.

A minute later, however, Hibernians nearly broke the deadlock as Scerri flashed in to collect a loose clearance in the penalty area and dummied past a defender before attempting a low shot. Valletta defender Kenneth Scicluna was on the right spot to clear the ball off the goal-line.

Just past the first quarter, it was Valletta's turn to put some pressure on the opposing rearguard as Temile did well to lob the ball towards Agius who evaded the offside trap. He was about to make an unchecked run for goal but Mario Muscat, the Hibs keeper, made a timely tackle to avert a certain goal.

On 27 minutes, Scerri delivered a cross from the right towards Agius who managed to win the tackle with Justin Grioli but Cohen's scissors-kick forced Hogg into a fine save.

The game remained balanced. Five minutes from half-time, Scerri drifted into the penalty area but with defender Josef Mifsud closing down the angle, the Hibs striker opted to try his luck with a powerful shot that sailed wide.

When it looked as though the first half would end goalless, Temile stepped up in added time to break the deadlock. The Nigerian flicked the ball towards the centre of the penalty area, left two defenders in his wake and rifled a shot past Muscat to give the Citizens a 1-0 first-half lead.

Hibernians came out for the second half determined to get back on level terms. On 57 minutes, Hibs' midfielder Agius did well to float a dangerous cross into the penalty area but Cohen's flying header was easily blocked by Hogg.

Valletta could have moved closer to a semi-final slot on 61 minutes when Temile crossed for Agius who tried to serve Mifsud in the penalty area but the latter just failed to make contact with the ball from three metres out.

The Citizens paid the price for that missed chance as Hibernians drew level on 68 minutes. Adrian Pulis provided the cross from the right and Scerri was at hand to head firmly past Hogg.

As the game was about to enter the final 15 minutes, the quick-thinking Agius slid a low pass towards Temile who sped his way through only to skew his shot wide.

With the minutes ticking away and extra-time looking probable, Zammit brought Monesterolo on to lead City's attack and add more flair to the forward line.

Timmy Fleri Soler's timely tackle on Temile in the centre of the penalty area denied Valletta another scoring opportunity inside the last ten minutes.

Moments later, Agius went down in the Hibernians penalty area when shadowed by Fleri Soler but referee Adrian Azzopardi cautioned the Valletta player for simulation.

Valletta slowly gained a stronghold on the proceedings and created the better chances.

Six minutes from time, Temile was once again at the centre of a fine move as he clinically served Monesterolo who unleashed a fierce shot from close range only for Muscat to respond with an excellent save.

A goal seemed in the offing and a minute later the boisterous Valletta fans were on cloud nine as Monesterolo's shot was deflected into the path of the unmarked Agius who kept his cool to beat Muscat and end Hibernians' two-year reign as winners of the KO competition.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, T. Fleri Soler, A. Xuereb, J. Caruana, A. Pulis, E. Agius, P. Doffo, U. Edafe ('65 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 ('74 S. Monesterolo), F. Temile.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Scorers: Temile 45; Scerri 68; Agius 85.

Yellow cards: Pulis; Backhaus; Doffo; A. Mifsud; G. Agius; Muscat.