Balzan Y 1

Hibernians 4

For all their dominance, Hibernians had to dig deep to overcome Balzan’s resilience and take full points, after Valletta’s win on Saturday had widened the gap between them to six points. The Paolites knew they could not afford to drop any points but Balzan, who had to play with ten men for more than half an hour and forced to substitute two injured defenders, put up a decent challenge and were only undone by two goals in the final five minutes.

The inclusion of Marcelo Dias as a substitute for Luis Edison, gave Hibernians the required impetus as the Brazilian scored his side’s third and provided the assist for the fourth to dismantle Balzan and keep up the chase with leaders Valletta.

Hibernians made four changes from the side which lost to Birkirkara the previous week. Mario Muscat was serving a one-match ban, replaced by 18-year old Nicholas Grima in goal. Aaron Xuereb was also suspended but Luis Edison was back while Edward Herrera and Jonathan Pearson started the match as Marcelo Dias was again exiled to the bench.

Balzan included the returning Dylon Grima, Bledjon Guga and Miguel Ciantar in their starting line-up, instead of Michael Borg and Glenn Bonello as Jonathan Francica was suspended. Their coach, Ivan Zammit was also suspended and watched his side from the stands.

Hibernians were the first out of the blocks and forged ahead with hardly four minutes on the clock, Jackson Lima connecting to Failla’s cross to shoot past keeper Matthew Camilleri.

Balzan, who were immediately facing an uphill task, tried to rake long balls forward in the direction of Ciantar or Calcado but the Hibernians defence was good to close the gaps and Micallef could only come up with a tame effort.

On 23 minutes, Lima picked a clearance from edge of the area but shot narrowly wide. Shortly after, Edison shot wastefully wide when put clear by Lima.

Hibernians started to mount some sustained pressure and forced the Balzan rearguard into some frantic defending. On Vandelannoite’s cross, Cohen’s looping header was cleared out by Yessous Camilleri and on 33 minutes the Paolites had what looked legitimate claims for a penalty turned down after Guga tripped Edison as he controlled Vandelannoite’s long pass and went past the onrushing goalkeeper.

On 39 minutes, Guga went off with a dislocated arm to be replaced by Bondin in the Balzan defence.

Hibernians laid siege and forced a series of corners.

But the goal came on the other end, three minute into the half’s added time, and had some panache around it. Pedro Calcado picked Deanov’s cross from the left and beat keeper Grima with an exquisite curling shot from the edge of the Hibernians area to restore equilibrium.

The pattern of the game did not change much in the second half, with Hibernians technically superior but Balzan remained adamant to buckle under pressure.

Deanov almost caught keeper Grima out if his line with a shot that went narrowly wide.

On 50 minutes, Edison chased Lima’s pass but his poor effort lacked precision.

Four minutes later Failla delivered a cross inside the Balzan area, Soares headed towards Andrew Cohen who shot past keeper Camilleri.

Balzan suffered another setback shortly after falling behind. Their defender Roderick Farrugia was sent off for two bookable offences in quick succession.

As Hibernians tried to exploit their numerical superiority, Balzan remained dangerous on the break. Past the hour, Ciantar ran down the right but shot over the bar.

Hibernians were soon tracking their opponents inside their own area. On Cohen’s cross, Lima lofted the ball in front of goal and on 69 minutes, Lima had his shot blocked on another Failla cross. Hibernians threatened again from a Lima corner which Soares headed towards Edison whose shot was blocked by the keeper.

Balzan were still in the game and on 72 minutes, keeper Grima was forced to turn Calcado’s shot into a corner.

The Paolites put in Steve Pisani and Marcelo Dias in the late stages in search of the assuring third goal.

The match turned out to be a shooting practice for Hibernians. Failla and Cohen both went close with their efforts and on 83 minutes, with the Balzan keeper off his line, Pisani incredibly missed the target when served by Dias.

But Hibernians’ third goal looked inevitable and came five minutes from time, courtesy of a Marcelo Dias strike from outside the area that could have had a slight deflection.

Balzan looked derailed even because Dylon Grima, who gave a hearty performance in defence, also limped off injured minutes before.

There was still time for Hibernians to score their fourth with three minutes remaining. That came through other substitute Steve Pisani who finished off Dias’ cross from close range to put the issue beyond doubt.

Balzan Y M. Camilleri, R. Farrugia, Y. Camilleri, B. Guga (B. Bondin), R. Forace, L. Micallef (G. Bonello), J. Pace, D. Grima (M. Borg), M. Ciantar, M. Deanov, P. Calcado

Coach J. Borg

Hibernians N. Grima, J. Pearson, R. Soares, A. Pulis (S. Pisani), J. Vandelannoite, B. Kristensen, E. Herrera, J. Lima, A. Cohen (A. Azzopardi), C. Failla, L. Edison (M. Dias)

Coach M. Miller

Referee P. Caruana

Asst.refs J. Camilleri, T. Debono

4th official G. Tonna

Scorer J. Lima 4, P. Calcado 45, A. Cohen 54, M. Dias 85, S. Pisani 87

Yellow cards P. Calcado, A. Cohen, M. Ciantar, R. Farrugia

Red card R. Farrugia

Player of the match Andrew Cohen (Hibernians)

TMI top 3 1. J. Lima 2. A. Cohen 3. Y. Camilleri

Attendance 1,061