Hibernians back on track with victory over Balzan

With this victory, Hibernians are one point ahead of Sliema who however have a game in hand.

For Balzan, this was their fourth consecutive defeat and they still have not registered any points in the Championship pool.

Balzan took the lead just after two minutes of play. Off a corner by Edison Bilbao Zarate, Andrew Scicluna's header was not cleared properly by goalkeeper Jurgen Borg and the ball ended up in goal.

The lead did not last long for Balzan as Hibernians managed to score the equaliser on the 22nd minute. A shot by Jackson Lima Siqueira from close range hit the woodwork and bounced of goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo to end up at the back of the net.

The match went from bad to worse for Balzan as Hibernians were awarded a penalty just two minutes later. Kurt Magro brought Obinna Obiefule down inside the area to have the referee immediately point to the penalty spot. From the penalty spot, Clayton Failla beat Bartolo with his shot to make the score 2-1.

Hibernians did not waste any time in the second half when they made the score 3-1 on the 48th minute. Off a pass by Obiefule to Edison Luis dos Santos, the latter served Clayton Failla who made no mistake in beating goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo with his shot.

Hibernians were close to increasing their lead just two minutes later when Obinna Obiefule hit the woodwork with his shot.

Balzan managed to reduce Hibernians lead on the 54th minute. Off a freekick by Fabio Vignaroli, a fine header by Mark Spiteri left no chance for goalkeeper Jurgen Borg.

In stoppage time, Hibernians made sure they secured the victory when off a corner by Clayton Failla, the ball was blocked by a defender and off the rebound Jean Paul Farrugia made sure he found the back of the net with his shot.

HIBERNIANS Jurgen Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Igor Radusinovic, Scott Chircop, Andrew Cohen (92′ Johann Bezzina), Bjorn Kristensen, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Clayton Failla, Timothy Tabone Desira, Obinna Obiefule (69′ Jean Paul Farrugia), Edison Luis dos Santos.
Subs not used: Daniel Balzan, Jonathan Pearson, Matthew Bartolo, Brandon Muscat, Jurgen Degabriele.
Coach: Branko Nisevic

BALZAN Manuel Bartolo, Justin Grioli, Steve Bezzina, Andrew Scicluna, Kurt Magro, Fabio Vignaroli, Lydon Micallef, Mark Spiteri, Edison Luis Bilbao Zarate, Luke Sciberras (71′ Firas Aboulezz), Jose Luis Armario Negrin (62′ Ryan Darmanin).
Subs not used: Michael Falzon, Jacob Cipriott, Shaun Bugeja, Jordan Jason Nadalin, Charlie Fuller
Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Thomas Debono, Sammy Attard
Fourth Official: Marco Borg
Yellow Cards: Bartolo, Tarabai, Grioli, Camilleri
Scorers: 2′ Andrew Scicluna (B); 21′ Jackson di Lima Siqueira (H); 25′ Clayton Failla pen (H); 48′ Clayton Failla (H); 54′ Mark Spiteri (B); 90+3′ Jean Paul Farrugia (H)
BOV Player of the Match: Clayton Failla