Watch: Hibernians stun Ħamrun Spartans to set up final showdown with Birkirkara

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS           1

Mbong 58

HIBERNIANS             2

Degabriele 31

Villela 42 pen.

ĦAMRUN SPARTANS          

H. Bonello, Talison (46 S. Xerri), J. Mbong, R. Prsa, E. Freitas, J. Cadenovic (64 Eder), O. Bjelicic, R. Mihana (80 C. Menacho), E. Marcelina, R. Camenzuli, R. Lopes Silva.

HIBERNIANS

P. Sanchez, R. Bruno, A. Silas (72 A. Bruno), K. Shaw, L. Villela, K. Fraga, Miullen (75 M. Ellul), J. Degabriele (72 D. Xuereb), B. Kristensen (90 S. Sorokin), A. Martinis, P. Henrique.

Referee Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Yellow card Prsa.

Red card: Bjelicic (ĦS) 90.

Hibernians shattered Ħamrun Spartans’ dream of completing a memorable treble as the Paolites scored two first-half goal on their way to a stunning victory and a place in Sunday’s FA Trophy final.

It was a clinical performance from the Paolites who were happy to soak up the pressure in the first half and managed to hit their opponents with a quick-fire double to take control of the match.

The Spartans fought back after the break and Joseph Mbong pulled one back but the Paolites managed to hold onto their lead to stay on course to not only win the FA Trophy, when they face Birkirkara on Sunday, but also qualify to the Conference League.

Prior to kick-off, Ħamrun skipper Steve Borg was accompanied by a visibly impaired person and his guidedog as part of an initiative by Ħamrun Ħanin.

The voluntary organisation is looking to collect funds to buy a guide dog for a visibly impaired person.

The Spartans started brightly and after eight minutes they were unlucky when Joseph Mbong’s attempted lob hit the bar with Hibernians goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez beaten.

From then on, the match fell into a lull as scoring chances remained very rare.

However, that all changed on 31 minutes when Bjorn Kristensen hit a thumping volley that Henry Bonello could only deflect into the path of Jurgen Degabriele who stabbed the ball home.

The goal stunned the Spartans who struggled to force a reaction with goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez rarely called into action.

Things got worse for thwe Spartans as four minutes from the break they conceded a penalty.

Miullen was brought down inside the area by Joseph Mbong and from the spot Lucas Villela made no mistake as he sent Bonello the wrong way.

On the restart, Talison was replaced by Sven Xerri who took the rightback role with Joseph Mbong taking a more advanced position.

It was Hibs who almost added a third on 50 minutes when Silas played in Villela who was denied by Bonello.

Ħamrun threatened on 55 minutes when Prsa sent Lopes Silva clear, he turned past Sanchez but fired wide.

In the next action, Ħamrun pulled one back. From Bonello’s clearance Lopes Silva found Mbong inside the area and hit past Sanchez.

Bonello kept Ħamrun in the match when he denied the goalbound Degabriele.

At the other end, Xerri picked Prsa inside the area but the Croatian headed wide.

On 70 minutes, Bonello showed great reflexes to push away Villela’s shot.

Ħamrun kept trying finished the match with ten men when Bjelicic was red-carded for hitting an opponent.

Seconds later, the final whistle arrived and Hibs could start their celebrations as their European dream is truly alive.