Hibernians 5
Balzan 1
Hibernians: M. Jovicic, D. Vella, M. Barbosa da Silveira, J. Mbong, J. Grech (D. Xuereb 81'), M. Dias (B. Kristensen 28'), I. Ntow (T. Tabone Desira 82'), T. Marcolino, M. Sahanek, A. Agius, T. Adan Fonseca.
Balzan: S. MIntoff, J. Grioli, N. Sljivic, S. Pisani, P. Fenech (C. Fiori Mendes 58'), A. Effiong, U. Ljubomirac, E. Serrano Valero, R. Correa (S. Bezzina 78'), A. Majdevac, M. Lepovic (S. Cipriott 70').
Referee: Mario Apap
Ass. Referees: Alan Camilleri, Edward Spiteri
Fourth Official: Matthew Degabriele
Scorers: J. Grech 20', T. Adan Fonseca 46', T. Marcolino 64', 77', 80', U. Ljubomirac 68'
Yellow cards: J. Grioli, E. Serrano Valero
Red Card: E. Serrano Valero 69 min
Player of the match: Jake Grech (Hibernians)
TMI Best three: 1. T. Marclin, 2. J. Grech, 3. I. Ntow
Attendance: 1,711
Hibernians were rewarded with Hamrun's late strike against Valletta, and now face the outgoing champions in a decider. Hibernians did their part, crushing Balzan to gain the three points that mattered and hope in a slip from Valletta.
The slip did arrive in stoppage time, with the Hibernians victory already acquired, the players and supporters waited for the miracle to happen, and upon Hamrun's equaliser, both players and supporters went in raptures.
Hibernians so are still in the fight, and on yesterday's performance, and also given the obvious shock Valletta are still in, they should start favourites to win the title. But that is another story.
Yesterday Hibernians were superior, especially in the second half were they demolished a demotivated Balzan side. Balzan however were still in contention for the fourth place, but they were never really in the game, and will now focus on the FA trophy, but there again they need to improve considerably, if they want to make an impact.
Hibernians had a better start and eleven minutes went close with a Taylon effort going over the bar. On 20 minutes Hibernians broke the deadlock when Jake Grech was put through by Sahanek and the ex-Birkirkara player drilled ball low into the net.
Sixty seconds later Balzan's first attempt at goal when Duarte passed towards Effiong who missed an easy chance hitting wide when well placed. Half way through the first half Hibernians were forced to make a substitution when Marcelo Dias limped off and was replaced by Bjorn Kristensen.
On the half hour Balzan almost drew level but Correa's drive was saved by the alert Jovicic. On 36 minutes a Sahanek shot deflected by Serrano Valero almost deceived the Balzan custodian.
A minute into the second half Hibernians doubled the score when a Correa back pass caught Serrano Valero on the wrong foot, and Tiago Adan Fonseca fired low into the net.
On the hour Balzan almost pulled one back but Alfred Effiong's header from a Fiori Mendes cross, just missed the target. Four minutes later Hibernians sealed the issue with a third goal when Taylon Marcolino beat Mintoff with a dipper from an ideal position.
On 68 minutes Balzan pulled one back when Uros Ljubomirac found the back of the net, solving a melee in front of the Hibs goal. But sixty seconds later Balzan were down to ten men when Elkin Serrano Valero received a second booking.
Hibernians were now in full control and took full advantage of their numerical superiority by scoring two further goals in the remaining minutes.
On 77 minutes Taylon Marcolino headed home an Isaac Ntow cross, and three minutes later Taylon Marcolino notched his hat trick scoring with relative ease after an inviting pass from Sahanek.