Balzan Youths   3

Hibernians 2  

A late penalty scored in the final two minutes by Calcado saw Balzan Youths register a thrilling victory against Hibernians to further bolster their credentials.

Balzan Youths were looking for a good result against Hibernians who on their part were hoping to gain the three points and continue chasing Valletta for the top spot. Both teams made changes to their starting formations with Balzan bringing in Forace and Bondin to bolster their midfield.

Hibernianss started strongly and after just one minute managed to force a corner which was cleared in extremis by the Balzan defence.

And Hibernians missed a glorious chance to go ahead when they missed a penalty after Francica was adjudged to have handled in the box but Soares saw his penalty saved by keeper Camilleri. Seconds later Bondin saw his effort from outside the box smash against the post and wide as Balzan reacted.

The game quietened down slightly after that incident with Hibernians though always much more on the offensive. On 22 minutes, Bezzina tried his luck from outside the box but his effort was saved by Camilleri. Seconds later Bezzina was again in action with another long range effort that was again brilliantly saved by Camilleri for a corner.

On the half hour mark, Bright had a fine angled shot which went just wide as Balzan Youths began operating on the counter. However Hibernians came close on 33 minutes when Pisani saw his point blank shot brilliantly saved by Camilleri. But the goal was not long in coming when from the resultant corner, Andrew Cohen managed to slot the ball in from close range to give the Paolites the lead.

But Balzan managed to equalize on 44 minutes when Grima crossed to Kim Bright who managed to conclude successfully from close range easily beating keeper Mario Muscat.

After 51 minutes, Balzan Youths overturned the result when Luis Bernardes went off on an irrepressible run eventually blasting the ball past a hapless Muscat. Hibernianss reacted on 63 minutes when a stinger by Caruana cannoned off the crossbar with Camilleri beaten.

On 76 minutes, Hibernians won their second penalty when Bondin was adjudged to have handled in the box after a shot by Pisani. Luis Edison Dos Santos made no mistake from the spot, coolly converting the spot kick.

Hibernianss came close again when Edison almost reached Anizoba but the Balzan defence managed to clear.

However on 87 minutes, the referee ordered another penalty this time in favour of Balzan with Pedro Calcado smashing in and sealing the three points for the Youths.

Balzan Youths: M Camilleri, Y. Camilleri, J. Francica, B. Guba, R. Forace, B. Bondin, D. Grima, D. Grima, D. Fenech (C. Ciantar), L B. Fagnes (S. Ciscaldi), P. Calcado (M Ciantar 90’), K Bright

Coach: I. Zammit

Hibernians: M Muscat, E Herrera, R Soares, R. Camilleri (J. Pearson), S. Pisani, B. Kristensen, C. Failla, T. Caruana, A. Cohen, J. Bezzina (P. Anizoba), L. Edison Dos Santos

Coach: Mark Miller

Referee: T. Farrugia Cann

Scorers: A. Cohen 34, K. Bright 44, L. Bernardes 51, L. Edison 78 (pen), P. Calcado 88 (pen)

Yellow cards: Francica, Bright, Grima, Kristensen, Herrera, Dos Santos

Player of the match: Matthew Camilleri (Balzan Y)

TMI top 3: 1. M Camilleri 2. L. Edison 3. K.Bright