G. Volpe, L. Cordova, P. Gaitan (81 G. Yipke), T. Papazov, A. Satariano, L. Lacunza, N. Micallef, A. Coppola, D. Makoma, M. Maia, N. Agius (62 K. Reid).
HIBERNIANS
P. Sanchez, R. Bruno, S. Hamanojda (77 D. Xuereb), K. Shaw, L. Villela (90 F. Falcone), K. Fraga, Miullen (65 A. Bruno), J. Degabriele (65 M. Ellul), B. Kristensen, A. Martinis, P. Henrique.
Hibernians ended the season on a high as they won the Meridianbet FA Trophy, defeating ten-man Birkirkara 2-1 in the final.
This was the eleventh FA Trophy success for Hibernians in the history of the club.
The Paolites, therefore, secured a spot in the UEFA Conference League along with league runners-up Birkirkara and third-placed Floriana.
For Birkirkara, it was case of ‘so close and yet so far’ as for the second time in a week, they finished on the losing end in a final after losing narrowly to Ħamrun Spartans in the 360Sports Malta Premier Championship final.
Hibernians were a better side in the opening minutes and to make matters worse, Birkirkara had a player sent off.
However, the Stripes soon gained confidence and threatened the Hibs rearguard on a number of occasions towards the end of the first half.
Birkirkara managed to equalise mid-way through the second half, but Branko Nisevic’s side notched the winner late in the game to claim victory.
Both coaches – Nisevic and Stefano De Angelis – made no surprise choices, opting to confirm their starting eleven after the semi-finals, which saw Birkirkara defeat Floriana and Hibernians beat champions Ħamrun Spartans with an identical 2-1 scoreline.
The Stripes startly badly as they were reduced to ten men on 13 minutes when Alessandro Coppola brought Miullen down as he was heading towards the area.
Referee Malcolm Spiteri sent him off for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity.
From the resulting freekick, Apostolos Martinis beat goalkeeper Giacomo Volpe to put Hibernians ahead.
Two minutes later, Luis Cordova escaped with just a caution after pulling Miullen down outside the area following another fine run by the Brazilian forward.
Lucas Villela went close for Hibernians with a powerful shot from outside the area, which was, however, parried by the Birkirkara custodian on 27 minutes.
But just past the half-hour, Donovan Makoma replied with an effort from midfield which ended just over the bar.
Nicholas James Agius, served by Makoma from the left, rounded two players before testing goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez with a powerful shot which was however blocked by the Hibernians custodian.
Just before the end of the first half, Leandro Lacunza just failed to connect off an inviting cross by Alex Satariano from the left.
Five minutes in the second half, Martinis served Lucas Villela, who rounded a defender before trying his luck with a fine shot from the edge of the area, which was turned into a corner by Volpe. Birkirkara replied with a powerful drive by Satariano two minutes later which ended off target.
Pablo Sanchez performed a great save on a close-range effort by Pablo Gaitan on 58 minutes when served from the left by Maxuell Maia.
Five minutes later, Hibs missed a good opportunity when Hamanojda intercepted a pass by a defender, serving Villela, whose diagonal shot scraped past the post.
Birkirkara levelled matters on 72 minutes after they were awarded a freekick when Alex Satariano was brought down just outside the area by Khevin Fraga.
Maxuell Maia delivered the free kick, placing the ball in the top left corner.
However, ten minutes from time, Hibernians regained the lead.
Martinis delivered a corner from the right and Kurt Shaw headed home past goalkeeper Volpe.
Hibs went close to increase the lead further on 86 minutes when Alex Bruno concluded a good run on the right flank with a cross for # Villela whose close-range effort hit the foot of the upright.
Deep into stoppage time, Volpe came to the rescue for Birkirkara, blocking a close-range effort by Alex Bruno when served on the right by Kristensen.
