Hibernians 3 Żebbug Rangers 0

Holders Hibernians produced a clinical performance to see off Division Two Żebbuġ and reach the semi-final of the U*BET FA Trophy.

The pre-match build up inevitably focused on the prospect of Żebbuġ claiming another Premier League scalp but Hibernians wasted no time in reminding the Division Two side of the reality of that task. In fact, they took the lead in the 17th minute. Failla took an inswinging corner to the far post and Andrew Cohen reacted quickly to prod home the ball.

Żebbuġ were not short on endeavour but the Paolities’ pace and quality, understandably, was often simply too much for the Division Two side to cope with. On the half-hour mark, Cohen came close to doubling Hibernians’ advantage with an audacious overhead kick that looped over Justin Spiteri but bounced wide of the near post.

Cohen was enjoying the space and service afforded to him and he forced Spiteri into a fin fingertip save with an angled effort after 66 minutes. But Hibernians added a second three minutes later when Roderick Spiteri was penalised by the referee for scything Cohen down in attempt to block him in the box and Failla stepped up to confidently send the resulting penalty in the bottom-left corner.

The Rangers gave Hibernians anxious moments after 76 minutes as Alan Tabone and Lee James Agius brought blocks from Muscat, the signal for a busy last quarter of the match for the Hibernians goalkeeper.

But despite finishing the match strongly, Żebbuġ found themselves three goals down nine minutes from time when Farrugia head the ball in from Failla’s cross.