BOV Premier League | Balzan 2 – Hibernians 1

Balzan made a perfect start to the match and went ahead after just five minutes. Bojan Kaljevic served Matteo Piciollo inside the penalty area and the latter hit a low shot past Andrew Hogg.

Hibs replied immediately and equalised two minutes later. Jorge Da Silva Pereira received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired a shot that ended up in the top corner of the net past Ivan Janjusevic.

On the 9th minute, Alfred Effiong of Balzan attempted a shot from the left side of the penalty area that was neutralised by Hogg.

Hogg was on the alert to deny Balzan once more on the 21st minute. Abdelkarim Nafti delivered the ball towards Effiong who went through but saw his effort being saved by the Hibernians goalkeeper.

Mark Miller’s side responded two minutes later. Jurgen Degabriele delivered a cross towards Joseph Mbong who sent a header that ended up high.

Hibs went close to go ahead on the half hour mark. From a free kick, Jackson Lima Siqueira fired a stunning shot that hit the post.

On the 37th minute, Nafti went on a good run, but failed to hit the target as his shot went wide of the post.

On the brink of half time, Piciollo found Nafti who fired a volley that ended up high.

Balzan suffered a setback on the 64th minute when Effiong was sent off by Glenn Tonna following an incident involving Marcelo Dias.

Ryan Fenech had a chance for Balzan on the 76th minute.The thirty-year old fired a strong shot that sailed high of the post.

Hibs went close a minute later when Dias sent a cross towards substitute play Andrew Cohen who headed over.

Balzan scored the winning goal on the 88th minute. Following a free kick, Nafti sent a cross inside the penalty area that was met by Kaljevic. The Montenegrin striker fired a header that took a deflection off a defender before ending up inside the net.

Balzan starting line-up: Ivan Janjusevic, Bruno Giglio De Oliveira, Dylan Grima, Bojan Kaljevic, Elkin Serrano Valero, Ryan Fenech, Alfred Effiong, Abdelkarim Nafti, Clive Brincat, Paul Fenech, Matteo Piciollo

Hibernians starting line-up: Andrew Hogg, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Timothy Tabone Desira, Jackson Lima Siqueira, Joseph Mbong, Johann Bezzina, Jorge Da Silva Pereira, Jurgen Degabriele, Bjorn Kristensen, Andrei Agius

Referee: Glenn Tonna

Assistant referees: Alan Camilleri, William Debattista

Fourth official: Philip Farrugia

BOV player of the match: Johann Bezzina (Hibs)