Hibernians 2
Balzan 0
Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis (A. Azzopardi), R. Camilleri, R. Soares, A. Cohen, C. Failla, Z. Levnaic, J. Lima (J. Bezzina), B. Kristensen, M. Dias, J.P. Farrugia (S. Pisani)
Balzan FC: D. Martinez, J. Borg, S. Giglio, M. Mendy, R. Forace (C. Micallef), D. Grima, J. Pace, R. Conceicao (B. Bondin), C. Caruana (R. Consani), F. Aboulezz, R. Darmanin
Referee: T. Farrugia Cann
Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, T. Debono
4th official: A. Azzopardi
Scorers: S. Giglio og 30, J.P. Farrugia 43
Yellow cards: M. Mendy, M. Dias, J. Lima
Red card: M. Mendy
Player of the match: A. Cohen (Hibernians)
TMI top 3: 1. B. Kristensen 2. C. Failla 3. D. Grima
With Valletta winning on Saturday to open a four-point lead in the BOV Premier League, the attention turned on Hibernians yesterday as they needed to win against Balzan to bridge the gap.
It looked like being a tricky match for the Paolites before kick-off, against opponents still with a slim chance to land a place in the Championship Pool. Hibernians had only beaten Balzan narrowly with a 3-2 scoreline in the first round.
But the gulf that separated the sides yesterday was palpable and Hibernians easily disposed of toothless opponents after they were reduced to ten men by the half hour when their defender Matthew Mendy was dismissed for accumulation of two yellow cards.
Both teams had made progress into the quarter finals of the U*BET FA Trophy in mid week. Hibernians were at full strength, with the exception of Kardeck, who was released. Pedro Calcado and Jonathan Francica had not yet recovered from injuries, while Aaron Agius and Yessous Camilleri were suspended for Balzan. That presented coach Ivan Zammit some selection problems in defence, with Stefan Giglio and Renato Conceicao as centreal defenders. New signing Feraz Aboulezz was given his first start, playing in a central midfield role, alongside Caruana and supporting their main striker Ryan Darmanin, as Elton Da Silva was only named among the substitutes.
Hibernians made the more assertive start with Farrugia blasting the ball over and later, a Failla cross from the left took a wicked deflection off Borg withy the ball thumping against the bar.
Hibernians’ wide players, Dias and Failla were a regular source of menace to the Balzan defence who often were forced to resort to some late tackles to hold them at bay.
Balzan’s robust defending, always looked likely to make it an intriguing affair for the Paolites and the exchanges in the first half were more competitive rather than cohesive, with some tough tackles from both sides.
Two fatal minutes around the half hour were the turning point of an otherwise lacklustre match. An own goal by Stefan Giglio, when heading Failla’s free kick from the right into his own net, presented Hibernians with the oppportunity to go in front. Immediately after, defender Matthew Mendy was sent off for two bookable offences and Balzan were also forced to substitute their injured captain Rene Forace.
That somehow made things easier for Hibernians who even capitalised on another Balzan defensive lapse to double their lead two minutes before the break.
Jean Paul Farrugia shrugged off Conceicao’s challenge inside the Balzan area and had the better of a lucky rebound when faced with keeper Martinez, to slot the ball into an empty goal.
That made virtually the points secure and Hibernians played the second half with training ground easiness, never exerting themselves and saving their energies for sterner tests ahead. Balzan, despite putting in Bonmdin and Consani, were unable to summon enough effort to ever trouble Mario Muscat in the hibernians goal.
By the end, the sterility that is often present in local football had spread among both sides.