Paolites see off Balzan to stay in title race

Hibernians 4
Lima 4; Cohen 54; Dias 87; Pisani 89;
Balzan Youths 1
Pedrinho 45;

Hibernians stayed in the title race after a hard-fought victory over Balzan Youths who played most of the second half with 10 men following the dismissal of Roderick Farrugia.

Although the final scoreline might suggest that Hibs enjoyed a comfortable afternoon, in reality they had to dig deep into their reserves of energy and fighting spirit to collect the three points.

Determined to bounce back from the disappointing defeat to Birkirkara, Hibs looked on way to reach their objective when Jackson Lima put them ahead after only four minutes.

Mark Miller’s team continued to dominate but, for all their possession, they failed to increase their advantage and their profligacy was punished by Balzan who pulled level through Pedrinho on the stroke of half-time.

Balzan’s equaliser hit the Paolites hard but they showed character to turn the match in their favour thanks to their inspirational captain Andrew Cohen who grabbed the vital second goal.

Two late strikes wrapped up their win as Hibs trimmed the gap on leaders Valletta to three points ahead their title showdown on Saturday.

Miller was forced to make two changes from the team that lost to Birkirkara as goalkeeper Mario Muscat and defender Aaron Xuereb were both serving suspension.

Nicholas Grima was given the nod to guard Hibs’ goal while Jonathan Pearson flanked Rodolfo Soares in the heart of defence. Chief goalscorer Luis Edison ‘Tarabai’, back from suspension, replaced Peter Anizoba.

Balzan also had some key personnel missing. Coach Ivan Zammit began a two-match touchline ban with Joe Borg directing the team from the dug-out. Defender Jonathan Francica and midfielder Nikola Tasic, both suspended, were replaced by Dylan Grima and Bledjon Guga.

Striker Miguel Ciantar started ahead of Glenn Bonello who was among the substitutes.

The Paolites were off to a flier, breaking the stalemate after only four minutes. Clayton Failla’s low cross was perfectly met by Jackson Lima who hammered the ball past Balzan goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri.

Hibs went close again on 12 minutes when Cohen served Tarabai and the Brazilian’s shot was blocked by Camilleri.

The Paolites retained the initiative but had to wait until the 23rd minute to threaten the Balzan goal. Edward Herrera sent in a teasing cross towards Tarabai who failed to make contact with the ball. Jackson Lima was first to the rebound but his sizzling drive flashed wide.

Yessous Camilleri came to Balzan’s rescue on 31 minutes when the defender cleared Tarabai’s goalbound header from a Jason Vandelannoite cross.

The Paolites shouted “penalty” on 33 minutes when Tarabai controlled a long pass in the area before slumping to the ground after being challenged by Guga but Paul Caruana waved play on. Four minutes later, Failla tried his luck from the distance but his rising shot just missed the target.

On 38 minutes, Balzan were forced to make their first change as Guga injured his arm. Bjorn Bondin came on for the Albanian.

Five minutes from the break, Vandelannoite almost put his name on the scorers sheet when he managed to meet Cohen’s corner at the far post but his header finished wide.

For much of the first half, Balzan rarely unsettled the Hibs defence but they hit the jackpot with their first attempt at goal.

The clock marked 45 minutes when Martin Deanov picked Pedrinho on the edge of the area and the Brazilian let fly a firm drive that flew past Grima and into the net.

After the interval, Hibs survived a scare when goalkeeper Grima rushed out of his goal to clear the ball outside the area. The ball fell to Pedrinho who quickly played it to Deanov but his curling drive finished just wide.

Balzan’s equaliser at the end of the first half seemed to rattle the Paolites who, after the restart, looked a disjointed side with their play affected by poor distribution of the ball from their midfielders and forwards.

The Paolites needed a touch of brilliance from their forwards to put them back in charge. That duly arrived on 54 minutes when Cohen was first to the ball after the Balzan defence had failed to clear a Lima free-kick and the Malta forward volleyed the ball into the net.

Balzan’s challenge suffered another blow on 55 minutes when they were reduced to 10 men, Farrugia being red-carded after picking up two yellow cards in two minutes.

Despite being a man down, Balzan remained dangerous and on 63 minutes, Pedrinho released Ciantar who burst into the area but his firm drive sailed over.

At the other end, Cohen found Lima in the area but the Brazilian fired over.

Pedrinho was a thorn in the side of Hibs’ defence and on 72 minutes, the Brazilian turned past Pearson but his low drive was pushed away by Grima.

Eleven minutes from time, Failla almost surprised Camilleri but his swerving drive flew over.

Herrera should have wrapped it up for Hibs eight minutes from time when he dashed into the area to meet a cross from substitute Marcelo Dias but the ball finished just over.

The Paolites missed another sitter on 84 minutes when Dias passed to Steve Pisani in the area but the Hibs substitute incredibly hit wide.

The third goal finally arrived three minutes from time when Dias’s shot from outside the area flew past a helpless Camilleri. Balzan were demoralised and a minute later, Hibs netted a fourth when Dias set up Pisani who buried home from close in.

Hibernians
N. Grima-6, J. Pearson-6, R. Soares-6, A. Pulis-6 (70 S. Pisani-6.5), J. Vandelannoite-6.5, B. Kristensen-6, E. Herrera-6.5, J. Lima-6.5, A. Cohen-7 (90 A. Azzopardi), C. Failla-6.5, L. Edison-5 (75 M. Dias-6.5).

Balzan Youths
M. Camilleri-6, R. Farrugia, Y. Camilleri-6.5, B. Guga-5 (38 B. Bondin-6), R. Forace-6.5, L. Micallef-6 (57 G. Bonello-5), J. Pace-6, D. Grima-6 (82 M. Borg), M. Ciantar-6, M. Deanov-6, Pedrinho-7.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Yellow cards: Pedrinho; Cohen; Ciantar; Farrugia.

Red card: Farrugia (B) 55.

BOV player of the match: Andrew Cohen (Hibs).

Attendance: 1,061.

Playing today
Tedesco Stadium: 6 p.m. Tarxien Rainbows vs Ħamrun Spartans; 8.15 p.m. Qormi vs Mqabba.