Hibernians 0
Spartak Trnava 3
Mikovic 5; Oravec 57, Tambe 90
(Spartak Trnava win 6-0 on aggregate)
Hibernians: J. Haber, J. Pearson, Jackson Lima, R. Soares, M. Dias, B. Kristensen, C. Failla (72 J. Mbong), J. Varea (79 J.Degabriele), R. Telles, A. Agius (30 D. Mbele), Jorginho.
Spartak Trnava: Ad. Jakubech, I. Bello Babatounde, M. Mikovic, P. Cogley, M. Conka (43 A. Kadlec), B. Godal, I. Schranz (64 E. Jirka), E. Halilovic, E. Correia (50 M. Oravec), R. Ndip Tambe, L. Gressak.
Referee: Anastasios Papapetrou (Greece).
Yellow card: Failla.
With their Europa League fate virtually sealed after a 3-0 defeat at Spartak Trnava, Hibernians were looking to earn a respectable result last night.
However, an insipid display against strong and in-form opposition has rendered their task virtually out of reach as the Slovakian side advanced to the second qualifying round of the competition 6-0 on aggregate.
Mark Miller’s selection options were hampered by the withdrawal of skipper Andrew Cohen but Jorginho, Bjorn Kristensen and Renan Tellus were all drafted in the starting formation.
The Slovaks took little time to stamp their authority on the match.
Only four minutes had elapsed when Martin Mikovic’s effort, expertly picked in the area by Robert Ndip Tambe, took a wicked deflection off Andrei Agius and wrong-footed Justin Haber.
Stunned by this goal, the Paolites tried to regroup.
In the 11th minute, Juan Varea forced his way through from the right before sending a teasing diagonal shot which finished just wide.
Tambe’s bustling pace put Agius in difficulty but his rising shot finished wide off Justin Haber’s far post.
Agius’s woes deepened on the half hour mark when he picked up an injury and was replaced by Diosdado Mba Mbele.
After 35 minutes, Ivan Schranz sped down the left and struck a low cross for Tambe whose grounder hit the foot of the post.
Just before half-time, Clayton Failla gave an illusion of a goal when his angled drive flashed into the side-netting.
Spartak hit back and 12 minutes after the break they doubled their advantage. Emir Halilovic was allowed space to loft the ball towards the far post where Schranz served substitute Matej Oravec who had an easy job nodding past Haber.
Seven minutes from time, Kristensen drew the ire of the Spartak clan when he shot at goal with their goalkeeper Adam Jakubech lying injured, albeit missing the target.
On 89 minutes, Hibernians missed a glorious chance to grab a consolation goal when substitute Jurgen Degabriele placed the ball on Jackson Lima’s head but his effort finished over the bar.
Moments later, Tambe raced clear of the slow-moving Hibernians defence, after a clever pass by Mikovic, to add a third goal.
HIBERNIANS0
SPARTAK TRNAVA3
Mikovic 5; Oravec 57
Tambe 90
(Spartak Trnava win 6-0 on aggregate)
Hibernians
J. Haber, J. Pearson, Jackson Lima, R. Soares, M. Dias, B. Kristensen, C. Failla (72 J. Mbong), J. Varea (79 J.Degabriele), R. Telles, A. Agius (30 D. Mbele), Jorginho.
Spartak Trnava
Ad. Jakubech, I. Bello Babatounde, M. Mikovic, P. Cogley, M. Conka (43 A. Kadlec), B. Godal, I. Schranz (64 E. Jirka), E. Halilovic, E. Correia (50 M. Oravec), R. Ndip Tambe, L. Gressak.
Referee Anastasios Papapetrou (Greece).
Yellow card Failla.