Hibernians 3
Cohen 17; Failla 71p; Farrugia 81;
Żebbuġ Rangers 0
Holders Hibernians produced a clinical performance to see off Division Two side Żebbuġ and reach the semi-finals of the FA Trophy.
Żebbuġ Rangers built a reputation as gaint-killers in this year’s Trophy as Jesmond Zammit’s team claimed the prized scalp of Sliema Wanderers in the third round.
Michael Woods, no doubt unwilling to give Żebbug any encouragement, fielded a very strong team with Zoran Levnaic and Clayton Failla back in the frame after missing the league derby against Tarxien due to suspension.
Woods had to drop two players from his previous selection with Johann Bezzina and Scott Chircop making way for the returning duo. But Serbian defender Levnaic’s match only lasted 20 minutes as he limped out with injury.
It was a largely forgettable game with Żebbuġ failing to fire in the opening hour and Hibs sealing their win with two late goals after taking an early lead.
The pre-match build-up inevitably focused on the prospect of Żebbuġ producing another upset but Hibernians wasted no time in reminding the Division Two leaders of the reality of that task.
In fact, the Paolites went ahead in the 17th minute. Failla supplied an inswinging corner to the far post and Andrew Cohen reacted quickly to prod home.
Żebbuġ were not short on endeavour but the Paolites’ pace and quality were often 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.
While Żebbuġ remained only one goal in arrears there was always hope and the entire clan breathed a sigh of relief when Jean Paul Farrugia’s powerful header from Failla’s service crashed against the crossbar just before the break.
Yet, moments later, Zammit, the Żebbuġ coach, was sent off for excessive protests after midfielder Alan Tabone appeared to have been hauled down by Failla but referee Paul Caruana waved play on.
Cohen was clearly enjoying the space and service afforded to him as he forced Spiteri into a fine fingertip save with an angled effort after 66 minutes.
Hibs added a second three minutes later when Roderick Spiteri was penalised by the referee for scything Cohen down in an attempt to block him in the box.
Failla stepped up to confidently send the resulting penalty into the bottom-left corner.
The Rangers gave Hibs some anxious moments after 76 minutes as Tabone and Lee James Agius brought saves from Mario Muscat, the signal for a busy closing period for the Hibs goalkeeper.
But, despite finishing the match strongly, Żebbuġ found themselves three goals down nine minutes from time when Farrugia head the ball home from Failla’s free-kick.
Hibernians
M. Muscat, A. Pulis, R. Camilleri, J. Pearson, Jackson Lima, A. Cohen, B. Kristensen (74 B. Muscat), Z. Levnaic (20 J. Bezzina), C. Failla, M. Dias (81 S. Chircop), J.P. Farrugia.
Żebbug Rangers
J. Spiteri (59 I. Verbina), W. Camenzuli, J. Xerri (86 L. Camilleri), L. Galea, M. Francica, M. Farrugia, R. Spiteri (75 O. Rababah), L. J. Aguis, A. Tabone, M. O. Rodrigues Britto, J. Nwoba.
Referee: Paul Caruana.
Yellow cards: Spiteri; R. Camilleri; Failla; Muscat.