Hibernians ease past Naxxar Lions to reach FA Trophy semi-finals

HIBERNIANS 2

Villela 12, Carvalho 57

NAXXAR LIONS     0

HIBERNIANS

N. Sanchez, A. Silas, K. Shaw, L. Villela (88 T. Eviparker), K. Fraga (72 S. Sorokin), M. Carvalho (66 I. Chukunyere), B. Kristensen, D. Xuereb, R. Monteiro, A. Bruno (72 M. Ellul), P. Nunes Silva.

NAXXAR

A. Fenech. N. Micallef (66 K. Haber), B. Sane, T. Yamaguchi, N. Pace Cocks (66 G. Bonanno), T. Ndao, R. Cassar, H. Coelho (66 E. Angulo), J. Cardoso (66 J. Farias) Y. Ito (79 M. Micallef).

Referee Malcolm Spiteri.

Lucas Villela’s brilliant goal helped Hibernians beat Naxxar Lions and reach the semi-final of the FA Trophy where they will face Ħamrun Spartans.

Villela received the ball from Felicio Carvalho and jinked past Ryan Gilmour Cassar before he stabbed the ball home.

Carvalho then sealed safe passage with Hibs’ second goal.

Their upcoming semi-final showdown against Ħamrun Spartans will mean that their coach Branko Nisevic will be up against his former club but more importantly are one win away from reaching the FA Trophy final after several years.

The Lions are currently riding a new wave enthusiasm following a streak of three unbeaten games in the Premier League, Lucas Villela silenced their supporters with a moment of sublime brilliance after 12 minutes.

Felicio Carvalho set up his Brazilian counterpart, and Villela provided the finish by demonstrating a ballet dancer’s grace to outsmart Ryan Gilmour Cassar before beating André Fenech.

Hibernians’ attacking play was vibrant, but the Paolites were lacking a cutting edge.

On 22 minutes, Villela turned provider but after squaring the ball for Dexter Xuereb, the defender hit the ball high over the bar.

After 40 minutes, Fenech was well protected by the defence when he could only partially block Khevin Fraga’s long-range drive.

Naxxar started the second half brightly with Hibernians goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez making a good reaction stop from Fernando Barbosa’s drive.

The Paolites, for all Naxxar’s possession, remained an ever-present attacking threat and it was no surprise when they doubled their advantage after 57 minutes.

Fraga broke free to serve Calvalho who outsprinted Fernando Barbosa before hitting a fierce shot past Fenech.

Naxxar striker Edward Bolanos, brought in for Hugo Coelho, broke the shackles, six minutes from time but he was blocked by Sanchez.

A few moments later, Takuma Yamaguchi hit a rising shot that finished just wide off the post.

But that was too little too late to change the outcome of the match as Hibernians surged into the FA Trophy final.