Hibernians registered an important win against Balzan winning by the odd goal in three in the main match of the tenth day of the BOV Premier League. It was an entertaing match with both teams living to expectations and giving a good account of themselves.
Balzan were the team in form claiming maximum points from their last three matches. These came from wins against Gzira United, Gudja United and their last match against Sirens which they won by a 6-1 score.
On the other hand, Hibernians were still unbeaten and their aim was apart from keeping this record, that of regaining a five-point lead on second-placed Valletta. But their latest performances weren’t of a consistent nature. In fact amongst their recent results they were held by Santa Lucia, Birkirkara and Valletta.
Leandro Almeida was serving a one-match ban for Hibernians.
Balzan were the first to threaten when on 10 minutes a Fenech grounder was saved with some difficulty by Kone. A minute later Balzan were denied a legitimate goal when following a goal mouth scramble Ljubomirac’s conclusion was cleared by Agius but the ball seemed to have crossed the line.
Hibernians went near in the 21st minute when Aldama changed the ball with Grech and his cross was cleared by Loof before Domoraud could connect.
On the other end a Da Paixao shot from the edge of the area sailed just over the bar. Just past the hour Hibernians drew first blood. A long ball by Artiles was cleared by Zlatkovic but his header hit Domoraud falling in front of him with the French striker firing home from close range.
Balzan’s reaction was an immediate one and six minutes later they levelled the score. A long ball from Zlatkovic found Ljubomirac on the right flank and his cross was perfectly met by captain Paul Fenech who slotted into the roof of the net.
And on the stroke of half time Balzan could have taken the lead when Ljubomirac found Da Paixao but his shot was saved by Kone.
Hibernians had a wonder start to the second half when in the 46th minute they regained the lead. Aldama’s cross from the right found an unmarked Grech who volleyed home scoring his seventh goal of the campaign.
In the 68th minute Fenech set Duric whose diagonal shot ended over the bar.
Hibernians controlled the situation well till the end with Balzan trying to be more offensive but to no avail.
Photo Domenic Aquilina