Hibernians 3
Cauchi 3; Malasenoks 6; Barbara 63
Marsaxlokk 0
Having seen off Qormi's stern challenge in a penalty shoot-out in their first outing in the National League 100 Anniversay Cup, Hibernians were handed another tough tie in the fourth round after drawing Marsaxlokk.
The southseasiders are playing outside the elite division of Maltese football after being relegated for match-fixing but their performances so far this season suggest that Marsaxlokk are still a force to be reckoned with.
In the third round, the Blues had the better of none other than Premier League high-fliers Birkirkara but their prospects of claiming another famous scalp suffered a body blow inside the opening three minutes.
Making the most of their opponents' jittery start, Hibs raced into a two-goal lead and then warded off Marsaxlokk's mounting pressure to stay on course to win the Anniversary Cup.
Their passage to the quarter-finals was sealed with Etienne Barbara's third goal 18 minutes into the second half but the final scoreline was harsh on Marsaxlokk who stuck to their positive, attacking approach even after they went 3-0 down.
Judging by Mark Miller's team selection yesterday, the injury crisis at Hibs is finally abating. The likes of Jonathan Caruana, Jonathan Pearson and Ryan Camilleri were on Hibs' starting grid while long-term absentee Ben Camilleri was named among the substitutes.
Rumen Galabov, Christian Callejas and Aaron Xuereb watched the match from the VIP area as they are still recovering from injury.
Marsaxlokk's initial XI featured a host of former Malta internationals, the likes of Carlo Mamo, Peter Pullicino, William Camenzuli and Roderick Bajada.
Patrick Curmi could also call on the services of three foreign players, Emil Yanchev, Florent Raimy and Maksims Danilovs. The match featured two Latvian strikers, Danilovs and Olegs Malasenoks, of Hibs.
Hibernians took just three minutes to break the deadlock. Barbara made headway on the right before delivering a dangerous cross-shot that caused panic in the Marsaxlokk box.
The ball was deflected into the path of Andrew Cohen who miscued his shot from just inside the area but the ball rolled towards Elkien Cauchi who flicked home from close range.
Marsaxlokk conceded again two minutes later. Malasenoks shrugged off Yanchev and drilled a powerful shot past Glenn Zammit.
The Blues looked stunned. Hibs could have made it 3-0 after eight minutes as Malasenoks's header from Cohen's free-kick fell to the unmarked Adrian Pulis who fired wide.
Deployed in a 4-3-3 formation, Marsaxlokk took a while to get over their poor start but Curmi's men began to show themselves more often in Hibs' territory as the first half wore on.
For all their possession, the Blues were finding it hard to break down the Paolites. On the half-hour mark, Martin Deanov darted clear on the right after Edward Herrera had stumbled on the ball but the Marsaxlokk winger's cross was cut out by Camilleri.
Ten minutes from the end of the first half, Danilovs accelerated into the box and rifled a stinging drive that forced Muscat into a fine save.
Marsaxlokk would have reduced the arrears inside the first minute of the second half had Clive Brincat's header from Deanov's cross not dropped just wide of a post.
The introduction of Dylan Kokavessis, who replaced Malcolm Licari at the start of the second half, widened the spectrum of Marsaxlokk's attack thanks to his speed and agility.
Five minutes into the second half, Deanov was foiled by Muscat who shifted to his right to push away the Bulgaria-born winger's low free-kick.
Playing fluid football, the Blues continued to push forward. On one occasion, Marsaxlokk protested for a penalty after Danilovs appeared to have been thrown off balance by Camilleri but referee Adrian Azzopardi saw nothing wrong.
Barbara had the chance to put the brakes on Marsaxlokk's momentum as the former Sliema striker outmuscled the two centre-halves but his stinging drive was central and Zammit saved.
The Marsaxlokk goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Barbara from getting his name on the scoresheet a minute later. Running onto a lofted set-piece pass from Cohen, Barbara sped into the box and hit an unstoppable drive past Zammit.
Barbara's goal took the steam out of Marsaxlokk's fight but to their credit, they strove to regain the initiative. Fourteen minutes from time, Muscat stopped another free-kick by Deanov.
In stoppage time, the post denied Cohen a goal as his curling free-kick came off the upright.
Hibernians
M. Muscat, E. Herrera ('68 Y. Cauchi), A. Pulis, R. Camilleri, J. Caruana, J. Pearson ('75 L. Grech), T. Caruana ('89 M. Tabone), O. Malasenoks, A. Cohen, E. Barbara, E. Cauchi.
Marsaxlokk
G. Zammit, C. Mamo, M. Deanov, P. Pullicino, M. Licari ('46 D. Kokavessis), W. Camenzuli, C. Brincat, M. Danilovs, R. Bajada, E. Yanchev ('75 T. Templeman), F. Raimy.
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.
Yellow cards: Mamo; Raimy; Bajada; Cohen; Brincat; Camenzuli.