Hibernians-Balzan 1-0
Hibernians: M. Muscat, J. Pearson, R. Soares (R. Camilleri), M. Dias (M. Bartolo), A. Cohen, B. Kristensen, C. Failla, J. Lima, Z. Levnaic, L. Edison (O. Obiefule), J.P. Farrugia
Balzan FC: J. Cipriott, S. Bezzina, G. Calabretta, A. Scicluna, D. Grima, F. Vignaroli, L. Sciberras, Joselito (J.Armaro Negrin), E. Beu (G. McKay), L. Micallef, R. Darmanin
Referee: A. Arciola
Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, A. Camilleri
4th official: A.M. Sant
Scorers: B. Kristensen 45,
Yellow cards: J. Lima, D. Grima, A. Scicluna
Player of the match: C. Failla (Hibernians)
TMI top 3: 1. C. Failla 2. L. Micallef 3. J. Cipriott
Hibernians were back on the winning track after two previos draws, when they narrowly beat lowly Balzan. Bjorn Kristensen grabbed the only goal of a match that Hibernians dominated without creating many chances.
The Paolites were below par in the first half and took an undeserved lead from a set piece, on the stroke of halftime. They failed to add more goals after the restart, although they improved their performance, and finally merited the three points.
They thus make sure that they remain at the top for at least another week.
Balzan put up a very timid display, remained mostly crammed inside their own half and tested the Hibernians keeper Mario Muscat only once throughout the entire 90 minutes.
Balzan had serious selection problems in goal for this match. With first choice keeper Miguel Martinez injured, Michael Falzon suspended and Matthew Camilleri ineligible to be resigned by the club, it was down to young 20-year old Jacob Cipriott to start the match. Defender Justin Grioli was also suspended and forward Jose Armaro Negrin was named among the substitutes. Balzan coach Jesmond Zerafa reshuffled the defence with Gianluca Calabretta playing in an unusual role in defence.
Although they had Luis Edison back in attack, Hibernians showed little, if any, offensive flair during the first period, which failed to produce any kind of excitement and served only as a cure for insomnia.
Balzan defended in numbers, putting eight and nine men behind the ball, with Lydon Micallef trying to progress from midfield, but his passes in the final third hardly ever reached lone striker Ryan Darmanin.
There were a couple of close shaves by Hibernians as Cipriott just flicked the ball off Dias’ head on a testing Failla cross from the left and then Edison headed Lima’s cross out from close range.
The only goal of the match came on the stroke of halftime. The Balzan keeper dived at Cohen’s feet to halt his progress and as the Hibernians’ midfielder fell inside the area, the ball rolled to Edison whose shot was deflected into a corner.
Soares was injured and had to be substituted in the same action. When Failla kicked the corner from the right, Bjorn Kristensen took advantage of some sluggish Balzan defending to head home.
The Paolites improved slightly after the restart as their opponents were giving away possession too cheaply and had to chase their opponents for long stretches. The finishing remained erratic though. Dias skied the ball horrendously on an Edison pass. Keeper Cipriott was called to make two saves within five minutes. First he stretched himself to hold out Failla’s free kick and then he superbly tipped Cohen’s rising shot over the crossbar.
Balzan fashioned their best move on 65 minutes with an individual effort from Lydon Micallef, who put Lima off balance and tested keeper Muscat with a long range drive at the top corner.
Hibernians kept up the threat and went close again in the last stages. Farrugia’s header on a Failla corner was saved by the keeper and Lima was unlucky when he thumped the ball against the crossbar from a distance, with practically the last shot of the match.