Balzan hold Hibernians to a draw

Gritty Balzan had other ideas, going on to score a stoppage-time goal to share the points with the defending champions.

Hibernians managed to take the lead on the 57th minute. That's when Andrew Cohen served Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro with a pass from midfield, and Ribeiro passed to Jorge Pereira da Silva. Pereira then made his way past Samir Arab to make no mistake and beat goalkeeper Valerio Senatore with his shot.

When Hiberians were looking to take all points for the encounter, Balzan managed to score the equaliser in added time. Off a freekick by Terence Agius, Alexsanar Vujacic managed to beat goalkeeper Jurgen Borg to make the final score 1-1.

BALZAN Valerio Senatore, Steve Bezzina, Clive Brincat, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Lydon Micallef (68′ Alexandar Vujacic), Samir Arab (68′ Terence Agius), Godwin Mensha, Alfred Effiong, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Dylan Grima (84′ Ryan Darmanin), Justin Grioli.

Subs not used: Christian Cassar, Sean Cipriott, Maxim Focsa, Luke Sciberras.

Coach: Oliver Spiteri

HIBERNIANS Jurgen Borg, Rui da Gracia Gomes, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Andrew Cohen (86′ Johann Bezzina), Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Andrei Agius, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro (90′ Jurgen Degabriele), Jorge da Silva Pereira (78′ Jorge Santos Silva).

Subs not used: Rudy Briffa, Jonathan Pearson, Dunstan Vella, Joseph Mbong.

Coach: Branko Nisevic

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi

Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Christopher Francalanza

Fourth Official: Mario Apap

Yellow Cards: Jorginho, Brincat, Grioli, Zarate, Grima, Cohen

Scorers: 57′ Jorge da Silva Pereira, 90+5′ Aleksandar Vujacic

BOV Player of the Match: Andrew Cohen