Balzan-Hibernians 4-4

Balzan: E. Bartolo, S. Bezzina, LR dos Santos, A. Scicluna, D. Grima, K. Magro, FF. Aboulezz, ED Bilbao Zarate, P. dos Santos Calcado, L. Micallef, JL Armario Negrin.

Hibernians: D. Balzan, R. Camilleri (T. Tabone Desira), J. Pearson, I. Radusinovic, B. Kristensen, C. Failla, Z. Levniac, J. Lima, O. Obiefule (B. Muscat), E. L. Dos Santos, JP Farrugia (A. Cohen).

Referee: C. Lautier

Asst refs: A. Borg Cardona, D. Castillo

Additional asst. refs: G. Tonna, F. Zammit

4th official: A. Mario Sant

Scorers: J. Pearson, J. Pearson own goal, JP Farrugia, L. Micallef, O. Obiefule, JL Armario Negrin, C. Failla,

Yellow cards: Z. Levniac, B. Kristensen, S. Bezzina, T. Tabone Desira, 

Player of the match: L. Micallef

TMI Top 3: 1. L. Micallef, 2. O. Obiefule, 3. F. Aboulezz

Hibernians and Balzan produced an eight-goal thriller at Ta´Qali yesterday which left the sparse crowd certainly satisfied.

It was a balanced match in which neither side imposed itself on the other, although both defences left a lot to be desired.

The two sets of strikers, in fact, made the most of the several defensive lapses although other goals could have been scored as well on either side.

The first half was very entertaining with both sides playing some good football, scoring two goals each apart from hitting the post once each. Moreover, we had one player, Jonathan Pearson of Hibernians, who scored twice – first putting his side in the lead and then unfortunately giving the equaliser for Balzan (an own goal).

In the second half, the match followed the same pattern and another four  – two each – were scored to the delight of those present.

Hibernians were perhaps slightly better in midfield but Balzan also had their own good moments and provided the Hibs defence with some anxious moments. In fact, they could have even snatched a late winner.

I must commend Jesmond Zerafa and his boys who offered a good challenge to the Paolites, even if they have no further interest in the proceedings.

Neither team had settled down and Hibernians had already taken the lead by the fourth minute.

From a Failla freekick, Obiefule crossed from the right for dos Santos to square for Jonathan Pearson to hit a low shot past Bartolo.

In the ninth minute, it was Kristensen who went close with another low shot that went just wide.

Balzan equalised on the 14th minute when a low cross from Lydon Micallef saw Pearson extending his left foot to deviate the ball past his own goalie Daniel Balzan.

In the 29th minute, Edison dos Santos and Obiefule exchanged the ball on the right, and from the latter’s cross, it was Andrew Scicluna who anticipated dos Santos and hit his own upright in his effort to clear.

Hibernians regained the lead on the 36th minute. Dos Santos hit the ball badly on the edge of the area. It hit a Balzan defender and fell exactly in the path of Jean Paul Farrugia who made no mistake from close in.

Three minutes later, Balzan were back on level terms when a Negrin shot hit the crossbar and Lydon Micallef picked up the rebound to hit home past the helpless Balzan.

Early in the second half, Hibs threatened through a Farrugia incursion who then set Obiefule but the latter’s effort was blocked by the diving Bartolo.

In the 51st minute, Hibernians went ahead once again. It was Failla who set Obiefule for the latter to advance and lob over the onrushing Bartolo and into the net.

Four minutes later, in another Hibs attack, Farrugia advanced on the right, but his cross was just missed by Obiefule in front of goal.

Balzan hit back once again to get back on level terms when from an Aboulezz cross, it was Armario Negrin who flicked the ball home.

But their joy was once again shortlived as Hibs scored again two minutes later. It was Failla who scored a gem of a goal, direct from a freekick.

The entertainment continued as Balzan equalised once again in the 74th minute. It was Bezzina who passed a good ball to Lydon Micallef who beat Hibs goalie Balzan with a low shot.

In the 87th minute, Balzan went near to scoring again but a Micallef effort went just wide of the target.

In the 90th minute, Pearson tested Bartolo but the Balzan goalie saved on deck.