Hibernians 3

Balzan Y 0

For large parts of a fairly sterile encounter, Hibernians dominated and beat ten-man Balzan Youths with three clear-cut goals that put them back in the groove after their reverse against Birkirkara in the previous game.

Andrew Cohen ran the show and was able to assert his influence with his menacing free kicks before scoring his side’s third goal, 20 minutes from time. By then, Balzan were playing with ten men, following the dismissal of their experienced midfielder Jamie Pace for a crude tackle towards the half hour. And with Pedro Calcado again absent and defender Jonathan Francalanza suspended, the Youths, who are still on a learning curve, struggled to keep up with superior opponents.

Balzan ran completely out of sorts in the second half, after holding to a goalless first period.

Hibernians named Luis Edison among the substitutes, with Andrew Cohen their most advanced player in attack and Dias starting the match wide on the right.

With nothing tangible to play for, and far from helped by the soaring heat at Ta’ Qali, the two teams stayed mostly in second gear.

Balzan were cautious and stayed composed, with six or seven men behind the ball as Hibernians always held the initiative but rarely looked menacing.

In their first real danger after 19 minutes, Cohen headed over on a Ryan Camilleri deep cross from the right.

Past the half hour, Ryan Camilleri went inside the Balzan area from the byeline on the right. His cross found no support and Farrugia could clear the danger.

On 36 minutes Cohen hit a direct free kick over and one minute before the break, Herrera foraged down the left, cut through the middle but his shot was blocked by keeper Matthew Camilleri on the ground.

Balzan totally collapsed within the first quarter hour of the second half as they conceded two goals from set pieces and had a player sent off.

On 48 minutes Vandelannoite’s shot took a slight deflection into a corner, taken by Failla for the same Vandelannoite to head past keeper Camilleri.

After Pearson stopped Ciantar’s incursion, clearing into a corner, Hibernians struck the second goal on 55 minutes. Rodolfo Soares connected well to another Lima corner from the left to knock the ball in with his outstretched leg at the far end.

On 57 minutes, Balzan were reduced to ten men after Jamie Pace’s dismissal following a late tackle on Cohen.

Hibernians exploited their numerical superiority with another goal on 72 minutes. Andrew Cohen won possession on the edge of the Balzan area and after evading an opponent, drilled an unstoppable shot at the top right hand corner beyond Camilleri’s reach.

Balzan were disbanded and it was only thanks to their shot stopper that Hibernians did not add further goals. He held out a Cohen poisonous effort and repelled another Failla shot.

Balzan also missed their best chance in the dying minutes when substitute Lydon Micallef advanced unhindered but hesitated too long and Herrera robbed him of the ball.

Hibernians M.Muscat, J. Pearson (A. Azzopardi), R. Soares, C. Failla, J. Vandelannoite, B. Kristensen (L. Edison), J. Lima (B. Muscat), E. Herrera, A. Cohen, M. Dias, R. Camilleri

Coach M. Miller

Balzan Y M. Camilleri, R. Farrugia, Y. Camilleri, R. Forace, N. Tasic, B. Guga, J. Pace, B. Bondin( N. Zammit), M. Ciantar (M. Borg), G. Bonello (L. Micallef), M. Deanov

Coach I. Zammit

Referee G. Tonna

Asst.refs E. Spiteri, C. Francalanza

4th official K. Azzopardi

Scorers J. Vandelannoite 48, R. Soares 55, A. Cohen 72

Yellow cards B. Guga, B. Kristensen, B. Bondin

Red card J. Pace

Player of the match A. Cohen (Hibernians)

TMI top 3 1. A. Cohen 2. C. Failla 3. M. Camilleri