Pietà match-winner Raphael Kooh Sohna (left) in a tussle for possession with Bjorn Kristensen, of Hibernians, yesterday. Photo: Stephen Gatt

Hibernians 0
Pietà Hotspurs 1

Hibernians’ defence of the FA Trophy ended unexpectedly at the fourth round as they were knocked out after a 1-0 defeat by Division One promotion seekers Pietà Hotspurs at the Centenary Stadium, yesterday.

The back-to-back winners of the knock-out competition were shocked by the underdogs in a classic ‘David and Goliath’ pairing.

Hibernians saw plenty of the ball in the opening period and hit the woodwork twice within a matter of minutes through Obinna Obiefule and Clayton Failla after the break.

But the Hotspurs sprang to life with the introduction of Jeremiah Ani 13 minutes from time and Raphael Kooh Sohna scored the all-important goal six minutes later.

The starting XI that Branko Nisevic opted to field saw the omission of Ryan Camilleri, Jean Paul Farrugia and veteran keeper Mario Muscat from the side that played Sliema Wanderers in another ill-fated league match for the misfiring Paolites on Sunday which they lost 3-1.

Indeed, Hibernians looked completely out of focus in attack and played at a reduced tempo, so slow that they allowed their modest opponents to remain solid at the back even when the Hotspurs tried to venture forward with counter attacks.

It was defender Jonathan Pearson who had the first attempt at goal after five minutes when his lofted 25-metre shot flew over the Hotspurs’ goal.

For all their possession, Hibernians were rarely menacing upfront and the Hotspurs appeared comfortable but they wasted their best chance midway through the half.

Jurgen Pisani took flight on a solo run on the right before squaring for Luciano Mutasi who tried unsuccessfully to chip the ball over Daniel Balzan instead of advancing and gaining a few more metres inside Hibs territory.

For the Paolites, Obinna Obiefule was particularly way off his best form, firing a succession of miscued shots way off target.

On one occasion, a perfectly-flighted corner by Jackson Lima was met by Pearson whose header was blocked by Andrew Spiteri on the line. The clearance fell kindly to Obiefule’s feet but he lashed the ball out with the goal at his mercy.

On 34 minutes, a Clayton Failla shot took a wicked deflection, almost wrong-footing David Cas-sar the Hotspurs goalkeeper who pulled off a fine reflex save.

Failla seems to have regrouped from the red card incident against Sliema and his influence grew after the break, culminating when the winger cut in from the left to let fly a powerful shot that was warded off by a defiant Cassar.

Pietà had a lucky escape when Obiefule’s shot beat Cassar but hit the post. Hibernians had the bit between their teeth and Failla struck the top of the crossbar a few minutes later.

Nisevic’s side continued to see more of the ball but at the other end Pietà were weaving clever passing patterns in midfield behind the physical presence of Raphael Kooh Sohna as the Hotspurs mentor Noel Coleiro called out the cavalry with former Naxxar Lions striker Jeremiah Ani on the pitch after the introduction of Ricardo Costa earlier in the second half.

And on 83 minutes, Ani showed all his skills in a single burst of pace as he exchanged passes with Luciano Mutasi before releasing Kooh Sohna who advanved inside the box before hitting home past Balzan.

The Paolites lost their plot and Ani almost punished Hibs’ flat-out approach following another flowing counter-attack but the Nigerian striker shot wide and high from a good position.

Hibs were unlucky not to draw level in stoppage time when Obiefule sent the ball into the path of Luis Edison whose shot rolled the wrong side of the upright.

Hibernians: D. Balzan, M. Bartolo, J. Pearson, S. Chircop, B. Kristensen, Jackson Lima, C. Failla, L. Edison, J. Degabriele (87 B. Muscat), O. Obiefule, Z. Levnaic.

Pietà Hotspurs: D. Cassar, C. Attard, O. Anonam, C. Grech, J. Pisani, L. Mutasi, J. Zarate (77 J. Ani), Q. Refalo, A. Spiteri (65 M. Borg), K. Cesare (52 R. Costa), R. Kooh Sohna.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.