Hibernians 3
Kristensen 31, 42; Pearson 49;
Balzan 2
Effiong 35; Serrano 85;

So often the leading man for Hibernians, Andrew Cohen stole the limelight again yesterday as he had a hand in all of his team’s goals that enabled them to secure a 3-2 victory over Balzan at the Tedesco Stadium yesterday.

Hibernians have so far struggled to reproduce the enterprising football that saw them sweep towards the league title last season and yesterday it looked even more likely that they would have to rely on their set-piece prowess to break through a resolute Balzan defence.

It was here that Cohen came to the fore as his excellent deliveries from set-piece situations provided the platform for Bjorn Kristensen and Jonathan Pearson to score the all-important goals that handed the three points that lifted the Paolites to the top of the Premier League standings, level with Valletta on 25 points.

While Cohen earned the plaudits for his dead-ball expertise, the tireless performance from Kristensen, author of two goals, Clayton Failla and Marcelo Dias in the middle of the park swung the balance in the Paolites’ favour yesterday as they appeared to have learnt from the corresponding first-round fixture where they had led for long spells before being pegged back by Aleksandar Vujacic’s last-gasp leveller.

Yesterday, the Paolites did not lift their foot off the accelerator, hitting the crossbar twice before conceding a late goal by Balzan, which had little effect on the final outcome.

Hibs handed a rare start to defender Pearson while Jorginho made a welcome return to the starting formation after recovering full fitness following a long lay-off.

Pearson joined Andrei Agius in central defence as Rui da Gracia Gomes moved to the left flank as a defence-minded player shadowing Alfred Effiong with Branko Nisevic pushing Clayton Failla into midfield.

The Serbian mentor banked again on the scoring instincts of Jorge, the Premier League leading scorer with seven goals, positioned upfront alongside Jorginho with Cohen and Jackson Lima providing support from behind.

Balzan’s tactical gameplan had Edison Bilbao Zarate given roaming duties behind the attacking duo of Vujacic and Effiong.

Lydon Micallef provided support on the left flank as well as keeping checks on the fast Dias in a 4-3-1-2 cum 5-3-2 tactical module in which Luke Sciberras was detailed to man-mark Cohen.

The opening exchanges were balanced, although Hibernians, with Failla and Cohen working hard to gain a foothold in midfield, were the more adventurous side.

Jorge showed tremendous skill to beat the Balzan rearguard but Valerio Senatore, who was preferred to Christian Cassar in the Reds goal, turned his shot to a corner.

On 15 minutes, Jorginho drifted infield from the flank but his drive was again pushed away by Senatore.

There was a thick maze in midfield, with players from either side trying to find an opening.

The match finally came to life on 31 minutes. A well-floated free-kick by Cohen from the right, reached the unmarked Kristensen whose well-placed header beat Senatore all the way.

The Paolites’ joy was short-lived, though, as Balzan soon equalised.

Effiong’s dazzling skills were in abundant evidence as his polished footwork ran the Hibs defence ragged before placing the ball past the onrushing Jurgen Borg, the Hibs goalkeeper.

The champions’ response was to throw more men forward in a bid to regain their lead just before the interval.

The modus operandi was the same as Cohen’s set piece soared again towards the Balzan box and Kristensen scored with another glancing header.

Jackson Lima hit the bar from a free-kick as Hibernians started the second half on the offensive.

Despite their edge in possession, Hibernians could not find any fluency. So, set pieces were likely to do the trick.

Cohen’s deliveries were a source of discomfort for Oliver Spiteri, the Balzan coach.

In the 49th minute, the Hibs skipper swung another dangerous cross from a corner kick with Pearson putting a headed touch to the ball to beat Senatore.

Effiong tried to carry the weight of Balzan’s attack on his own as he ran to a long-range pass from Edison Zarate only to shoot over the bar.

Ten minutes from time, Failla rattled the crossbar with a fine long-range effort as the Paolites remained fully in control.

Hibernians paid for their profligacy as Balzan pulled a goal back five minutes from time.

Substitute Godwin Mensha’s free-kick was touched by Zarate on its way towards Valero Serrano who headed home.

But that was too little too late for Spiteri’s troops as Hibernians held on for the three points.

Hibernians
J. Borg-6, R. Da Gracia Gomes-6, J. Pearson-6.5, Dias-7, Jorge-6, J. Lima-6.5, A. Cohen-8 (76 J. Degabriele), B. Kristensen-7, C. Failla-7, A. Agius-6, Jorginho-5.5 (65 Gilmar-5).

Balzan
V. Senatore-5, D. Grima-5, J. Grioli-5, S. Arab-5 (80 R. Darmanin), L. Micallef-5 (66 G. Mensha), C. Brincat-5, A. Effiong-6.5, E. Serrano-6, E. Bilbao Zarate-6, A. Vujacic-5, L. Sciberras-5.5 (80 S. Bezzina).

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.

Yellow cards: Brincat, Zarate, Pearson.

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

Attendance: 1,128.

Standings

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Valletta	12	8	1	3	23	11	25
Hibernians	12	7	4	1	22	14	25
Birkirkara	12	6	5	1	28	12	23
Balzan	12	7	2	3	19	12	23
Floriana	12	7	2	3	19	11	23
Tarxien	12	6	4	2	21	11	22
Mosta	12	5	3	4	17	13	18
Pembroke	12	4	2	6	18	22	14
Sliema	12	4	2	6	11	17	14
Naxxar Lions	12	2	2	8	11	30	8
Qormi	12	1	3	8	9	18	6
St Andrew’s	12	0	0	12	6	33	0