Hibernians 4
Pietà Hotspurs 0
Hibernians found little difficulty in booking their place in the second round of the FA Trophy after easing past Pietà Hotspurs 4-0.
The final scoreline might indicate that the Paolites had a stroll in the park. However, in reality, Mark Miller’s men struggled to impose their play and it was only when Jean Paul Farrugia put them ahead on the stroke of half-time that they took control of the proceedings.
One must commend the efforts of Joe Grech’s Pietà who put up a strong challenge to their more-quoted opponents but, in the end, experience prevailed.
Mark Miller, the Hibs coach, fielded a strong formation with Matthew Clarke and Richie Hart the only absentees in his squad.
The opening exchanges were devoid of any action with Hibs creating the best chance on 14 minutes when Bjorn Kristensen released Farrugia who, with only Miguel Montfort to beat, fired wide.
That early chance failed to galvanise the Paolites who, at times, looked disjointed.
Pietà battled for every ball with Brazilian Robson Luiz Bandeira looking lively with his pace and strength that was keeping the Hibs’ backline on its toes.
Still, we had to wait until the 41st minute for a breakthrough. Farrugia was first to Triston Caruana’s corner and his glancing header gave Montfort no chance.
Six minutes into the second half, the Hotspurs came close to an equaliser when from a free-kick, Stefan Lijeskic just failed to make contact in front of goal.
The tie, however, was all but over on 63 minutes when Jonathan Pearson unleashed a powerful volley that flew past Montfort – 2-0.
Seven minutes later Hibs added a third. Edward Herrera teed up Farrugia who had little difficulty in firing the ball home.
Pietà’s response came in the form of a long range shot from Jurgen Pisani that flew out of range.
Cohen almost grabbed his team’s fourth goal on 80 minutes when he anticipated Ryan Mifsud but his rising shot hit the bar before finishing out.
Cohen then picked McManus inside the area but the latter’s shot was pushed away by Montfort.
Six minutes from time McManus was guilty of a huge miss. He lost his balance with only the keeper to beat after some fine work from Herrera.
However, McManus soon made amends as a minute later he lobbed the ball over the onrushing Montfort to wrap up a positive day for the Paolites.
Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis (57 M. Gauci), J. Pearson, M. Tabone, B. Kristensen (85 A. Azzo-pardi), T. Caruana, E. Herrera, A. Cohen, P. McManus, J.P. Farrugia (77 S. Pisani), Z. Levnaic.
Pieta: M. Montfort, C. Spiteri (77 A. Briffa), R. Mifsud, B. Sciberras, Q. Refalo, R.L. Bandeira, S. Grech (62 D. Mifsud), S. Lijeskic, Z. Muscat, C. Cassar, J. Pisani.
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.