Hibernians-Balzan Y 4-2

Hibernians: J. Borg, T. Tabone Desira, I. Radusinovic, R. Camilleri, S. Chircop (J. Degabriele), A. Cohen (J. Bezzina), B. Kristensen, J. Lima, C. Failla, O. Obiefule ( J.P. Farrugia), L. Edison

Balzan FC: M. Bartolo, J. Grioli, S. Bezzina, A. Scicluna, K. Magro, F. Vignaroli, L. Micallef, M. Spiteri, E. Zarate, L. Sciberras (F. Aboulezz), J. Armario Negrin (R. Darmanin)

Referee:  F. Zammit

Asst.refs:  T. Debono, S. Attard

4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: A. Scicluna 2, J. Lima 21, C. Failla 24 pen, 48, M. Spiteri 54,  J.P. Farrugia 90

Yellow cards: M. Bartolo, L. Edison, A. Cohen, J. Grioli, R. Camilleri,

Player of the match: C. Failla (Hibernians)

TMI top 3:  1. C. Failla  2. S. Chircop  3. M. Spiteri

Attendance: 491

This was a chance for Hibernians to improve upon their recent poor form and two consecutive defeats they suffered against Mostra and Valletta in the Championship Pool

However they had to recover form an early shock, going down to Balzan’s goal after only two minutes on the clock, before turning the tables on their opponents with two goals in each half, one from a penalty, as Clayton Failla notched a brace.

Hibernians had to do without the injured Zoran Levnaic and Jonathan Pearson, although the latter was named among the substitutes as Timothy Tabone Desira was preferred to Matthew Bartolo as right back. Jean Paul Farrugia again started on the  bench.

Balzan, without the suspended Dylan Grima and Pedro Calcado noit included in their squad, put up a decent challenge, especially in the first half but as the match wore on they were gradually outplayed by more technical opponents.

Balzan, made the more assertive start. On Spiteri’s corner from the left, the Hibernians keeper Jurgen Borg failed to hold out Andrew Scicluna’s  header to give Balzan an early lead.

The goal demanded an immediate response from Hiberniana. Obiefule was blocked by defender Bezzina inside the Balzan area and a Lima shot was saved by keeper Bartolo. Hibernians won a couple of corners. The one kicked by Failla from the right after 21 minutes procured a scramble inside the Balzan area. Finally Jackson Lima resolved the issue, shooting through several legs, the ball hitting the innerside of the post before ending behind the back of keeper Bartolo. This was Lima’s first goal for Hibernians in more than a month.

Within three minutes Hibernians were in front when awarded a penalty for Magro’s tackle from behind on Obiefule inside the area. Clayton Failla beat keeper Bartolo at top corner.

Balzan were suddenly back pedalling as Hibernians were always on the ascendancy, although they failed to add more goals until halftime.

The Paolites took a stranglehold on the match with their third goal, three minutes after the restart. Luis Edison anticipated Balzan’s static defence on Chircop’s cross from the left, dropped the ball loose for Clayton Failla to beat keeper Bartolo with a diagonal shot.

Hibernians remained the better side and Obiefule headed Cohen’s cross over the bar. Their spirits were dampened though as Balzan reduced the arrears on 54 minutes. Mark Spiteri, one of Balzan’s best players on the field, headed Vignaroli’s sailing free kick from close range.

Balzan still failed to summon enough effort to take anything form the match, despite introducing Ryan Darmanin for Negrin, and, leaving too many gaps in midfield, they handed Hibernians the initiative for the remiander of the match. Failla went past Grioli, crossed the ball for Obiefule whi headed over, before making way for Jean Paul Farrugia. The substitute shot straight on the goalkeeper when put through by Edison on 78 minutes.

A C ohen rasping free kick was tipped into a corner by Bartolo and the Balzan shot stopper produced the best save of the match on an Edison goalbound effort. In the dying minutes, Hibernians scored their fourth goal. Substitute Jurgen Degabriele’s efdfort was blocked by the Balzan defence but Jean Paul Farrugia hit in the loose ball to add morte gloss on the Paolites’ win.

This was marred by defender Scott Chircop’s injury. The youngster, who gave a very promising performance, was stretchered off  in the late stages.