Hibernians survived a first-half scare to see off San Marino side Folgore and book their place into the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.

 

Buoyed by their 3-1 win in last week’s opening leg in San Marino, the Paolites looked well on course for a comfortable evening when Jurgen Degabriele put them ahead after nine minutes.

 

But that early breakthrough seems to have the wrong effect on the Paolites who looked to have relaxed too much. Folgore took full advantage as netted twice late in the first half to put the tie firmly in the balance.

 

However, after the break the Paolites managed to rediscover themselves as quick-fire goals from Degabriele, Wilfried Domoraud and Jake Grech sealed the win that sent Hibernians through 7-3 on aggregate.

 

Their reward is a third qualifying round against either Riga, of Latvia, and KF Shkendija, of Macedonia.

 

Hibernians coach Stefano Sanderra made two changes to the team that won in San Marino last week as Zachary Grech was preferred to Ayrton Attard while Dunstan Vella replaced the injured Sergio Raphael.

 

As expected, it was Hibernians who made all the early running and after six minutes Jurgen Degabriele sped past two defenders but his effort was pushed away by goalkeeper Riccardo Giorgi.

 

From the ensuing corner-kick taken by Degabriele, Leandro Almeida saw his header coming off the post before finishing wide.

 

Hibs pressure finally yielded an opener when Jake Grech sped inside the area and he picked Degabriele who blasted the ball past Giorgi.

 

The Paolites looked in control and they seemed happy to administer their advantage.

 

However, midway through the first half Hibs were punished for lapse in concentration when Folgore drew level.

 

Andrea Nucci fed Eric Fedeli on the edge of the area and the San Marino player placed the ball into the top corner with Nicky Vella well beaten.

 

The goal seemed to have stunned Hibernians as they struggled to reclaim some sort of fluency in their play.

 

On the stroke of half-time Hibernians were punished again when Kristensen’s pass towards Andrei Agius was intercepted by Yassey who sped clear, turned past Vella and planted the ball into an empty net to put Folgore just one goal behind on aggregate.

 

Hibs’ response to that setback was immediate at the start of the second half as two minutes from restart Thaylor sent a dipping cross towards Wilfried Domoraud who headed home.

 

The Paolites went on to all but seal the tie when Kristensen played Degabriele through and the Malta forward slotted past Giorgi.

 

Hibernians added a fourth goal, 13 minutes from time when Degabriele played in Jake Grech who kept his cool to beat Giorgi from close in.

 

Sportsdesk – Valhmor Camilleri