A late penalty undid Hibs good work as they fell to a 2-1 loss to Spartak Trnava in the first leg of their second round qualifier in the UEFA Conference League.
Played in sweltering conditions at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, Hibs more than held their own against their more experienced opponents in the opening half hour or so. This was their first competitive game of the new season and with new signings in the starting line-up, it was Hibs who enjoyed the better play in the opening spell. Miullen on the right was proving a handful for the Spartak defence, Degabriele was finding players near their box with some clever passes but the final decisive touch eluded the Hibs players. There was a momentary lapse by the Spartak keeper whose hurried clearance rebounded off Miullen and almost rolled back into the goal before it was thumped away by a defender.
Spartak had their moments as well. Fast breaks along the left showed how dangerous they could be but their forwards did little to threaten Branescu making his debut in goal for Hibs.
The breakthrough came just before the half hour when Holik met a cross from the left and tapped in at the back post. Spartak in front, a bit fortunate perhaps as Hibs had been the better side until then.
Spartak almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half time but at the break it was Hibs 0-1 Spartak.
The second half was maybe a bit slower, the heat taking its toll on both teams. The moment Hibernians had worked so hard for came in the 79th minute when new signing Charleston rose above the Spartak defence to head Hibs level.
Joy for the players and supporters who were starting to believe a draw could be possible. A dream that lasted two minutes. A headed backpass by Charleston failed to reach Branescu who fouled the onrushing Kudlicka. Penalty said referee Kastrati. Up stepped Prochazka who sent Branescu the wrong way. Spartak back in the lead.
That was how it finished. Spartak take a 2-1 into the second leg next week. Heartache for Hibernians who came so close to getting a point from this first leg but promising enough considering it was their first competitive match with a new line-up.
