HIBERNIANS-2, SPARTAK TRNAVA-4
Hibernians played with 10 men for most of the match as they slumped to a 4-2 defeat to Slovakian team Spartak Trnava in the first leg of their Europa League first qualifying round match this evening.
An early red card to Jonathan Pearson and a quick brace from Spartan's Erik Sabo, the first from a penalty, left Hibs facing an uphill battle and a drubbing but the Paolites made a spirited reaction in the second, scoring twice in the opening five minutes to reopen the issue before Spartak sealed their win with a fourth goal in the dying stages to effectively wrap up their qualification for the next round of the Europa League.
The game started on a terrible note for Hibs as, after 11 minutes, they conceded a penalty and had defender Jonathan Pearson sent off for a penalty-box challenge on Martin Mikovic.
Erik Sabo converted from the spot. Two minutes later, Spartak struck again through Sabo who beat Daniel Balzan with an angled drive after latching on to Kamil Kuzma's corner.
Two-nil down and reduced to 10 men, Hibs were on their knees.
Captain Andrew Cohen tried to lift his team-mates when setting off on a mazy run that took him near the edge of the penalty box but his shot was saved by Matej Strapak, the Spartak goalkeeper.
Jean Paul Farrugia then blasted high and Clayton Failla was wide from the distance.
Nine minutes from half-time, Spartak increased their lead when Jan Vlasko's low strike slipped through the hands of Balzan.
Hibs were a demoralised lot as they headed to the dressing room but they began the second half on a flying note.
Three minutes into the second period, Cohen, one of their best players, narrowed the deficit with an excellent free-kick that went in via the post. Two minutes later, Clayton Failla made it 3-2 from another free-kick, this time hit low towards the far corner.
The game was short on creative football for much of the second half.
Cohen was wide from the distance and Spartak captain Marek Janecka did likewisew before the Hibs fans stole attention for the wrong reasons. They make derogatory remarks towards their own coach after Branko Nisevic withdrew Failla for the young Jurgen Degabriele.
Seven minutes from time, Balzan denied Spartak a fourth goal when saving Martin Toth's grounder but, in the closing stages, substitute Tomas Mikinic hitting home from close in after receiving from Ivan Schranz.