Hibernians reach U*BET FA Trophy final after defeating Valletta

Hibernians started the match by having the first attempt on goal as early as the fifth minute. Bjorn Kristensen had a good chance on goal with his header, but goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo made sure the ball stayed out of the net.

On the 12th minute, Valletta's Michael Mifsud tested goalkeeper Mario Muscat with his powerful shot.

Valletta were denied a goal on the 17th minute after a shot by Ryan Fenech hit the woodwork. Fenech had another chance for goal on the 27th minute, but it was cleared into a corner.

Hibernians were awarded a penalty on the 37th minute. A shot by Clayton Failla was handled by Jason Vandelannoite. Vandelannoite was sent off. From the penalty spot, Clayton Failla's shot was partially saved by goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo, but off the rebound, Failla made sure he did not miss to put Hibernians ahead.

Valletta's goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo was sent off after the penalty shot after he kicked an opponent.

Hibernians now had total control of the match and managed to double the score on the 45th minute. Off a pass by Marcelo Dias, Clayton Failla made no mistake by beating substitute goalkeeper Yenz Cini.

Another player would be sent off in added time this time being Hibernians goalkeeper Mario Muscat. Muscat brought down Ryan Fenech inside the area and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. From the penalty spot, Demba Toure scored to make the score 2-1 just before the first half ended.

In the second half, even though Valletta were playing with one man less, they still produced some good chances in front of goal.

Hibernians managed to make the score 3-1 on the 66th minute. Edison Luis dos Santos managed to wrestle the ball away from a Valletta defender to then go on and beat Cini with his shot.

Hibernians' Andrew Cohen was denied by the woodwork on the 85th minute.

In added time, Valletta managed to reduce the gap to make the score 3-2. A powerful shot by Roderick Briffa was deflected by a defender to beat goalkeeper Daniel Balzan.

This will be the second consecutive final between Hibernains and Qormi. Last season, Hibernians defeated Qormi 3-1.

VALLETTA Manuel Bartolo, Jonathan Caruana, Ian Azzopardi, Ryan Fenech, Michael Mifsud (75′ Abubakar Bello-Osagie), Roderick Briffa, William Barbosa (38′ Yenz Cini gk), Demba Toure, Denni Rocha dos Santos, Jason Lee Vandelannoite, Luke Dimech.
Subs not used: Joao Gabriel da Silva, Edmond Agius, Joseph Jo Jo Ogunuppe, Dyson Falzon, Llywelyn Cremona.
Coach: Mark Miller
Asst. Coach: Gilbert Agius
Goalkeepers' Coach: Reuben Debono

HIBERNIANS Mario Muscat, Ryan Camilleri, Jonathan Pearson, Rodolfo Soares, Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen, Marcelo Dias, Clayton Failla, Zoran Levnajic (58′ Jackson di Lima Siqueira), Edison Luis dos Santos (79′ Obinna Obiefule), Jean Paul Farrugia (45+2′ Daniel Balzan gk).
Subs not used: Allan Kardeck dos Santos, Adrian Pulis, Brandon Muscat, Ayrton Azzopardi.
Coach: Michael Woods
Asst. Coach: Darren Abdilla

Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Paul Apap
Additional Assistant Referees: Chris Lautier, Mario Apap
Fourth Official: Ingmar Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Azzopardi, Barbosa, Pearson, Caruana, Dimech
Red Cards: 37′ Jason Vandelannoite, 39′ Manuel Bartolo, 45+2′ Mario Muscat
Scorers: 39′ Clayton Failla, 45′ Clayton Failla, 45+2′ Demba Toure, 66′ Edison Luis dos Santos, 90+1′ Roderick Briffa