Hibernians ease past Żebbuġ Rangers as Valletta too strong for SK Victoria Wanderers

HIBERNIANS            3         

Miullen 41; Fraga 58

Alex Bruno 76

ŻEBBUĠ RANGERS 0

HIBERNIANS

H. Sacco, A. Bruno, H. Gabriel, K Shaw, L. Caruana (65 B. Kristensen), L. Villela (65 A. Martinis), K. Fraga, Miullen (46 F. Falcone), J. Degabriele (84 L. Abela), D. Xuereb (77 M. Ellul), A. Hamanojda.

ŻEBBUĠ

J. Azzopardi, L. Camilleri (64 G. Mifsud), L. Cassar Jackson, C. Diaz, A. Mizzi, S. Diacono, S, Buttigieg (52’ D. Mosquera), F. Mendes, O. Sciberras (79 A. Attard), S. Adeyemi (64 J. Vella), G. Gesualdi (79 G. Gesualdi).

Referee: Emanuel Grech.

Yellow cards: Gesualdi, Vella.

Hibernians secured a place in the Round of 16 of the Meridianbet FA Trophy as they defeated Challenge League side Żebbuġ Rangers 3-0.

In the first half, Żebbuġ were playing a good game in keeping their opponents under control but the Paolites, who will be facing Qala Saints in the next round, scored the opening goal just before half-time, adding another two goals in the second half. 

Shots at goal were few and far in between, especially during the first half.

Khevin Fraga had two attempts blocked into corners within the first five minutes for Hibernians. However, Żebbuġ threatened on 21 minutes with Salem Adeyemi having a shot from the edge of the area which was neutralised by goalkeeper Hugo Sacco.

Camilo Diaz had a freekick from the right on 39 minutes turned into a corner by Sacco.

However, on 41 minutes, Hibernians managed to break the deadlock. Lucas Villa released Miullen on the left and the latter beat goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi with a diagonal shot.

Ten minutes in the second half, Azzopardi performed a good save on a Federico Falcone header off a cross by Hamanojda from the right.

Hibs doubled the score on 58 minutes. Jurgen Degabriele delivered a corner from the right and Khevin Fraga’s header was not held by the Żebbuġ custodian.

Żebbuġ replied with an angled shot by Adeyemi from the right which was parried by Hugo Sacco on the hour.

However, the Paolites sealed the issue with a third goal on 76 minutes as Alex Bruno flicked the ball home in style off an inviting cross from the left. 

Three minutes from time, Żebbuġ went close to scoring a consolation goal but Sacco blocked Duven Mosquera’s close-range effort off a Camilo Diaz cross from the right.

VALLETTA   4

Scicluna 32; Enoch52, 80

Jefferson 84

SK VICTORIA 0

Valletta cruised into the Last 16 with a 4-0 rout of SK Victoria Wanderers.

James Scicluna put the capital club in front on 32 minutes and then Enoch Mushagalusha took centre stage for the Citizens with a second-half double on 52 and 80 minutes

Jefferson sealed Valletta’s win with a fourth goal on 84 minutes.