BALZAN-1, HIBERNIANS-1
(AET; Hibs win 4-3 on penalties)
Hibernians showed extraordinary resilience as they held on with 10 men in extra-time before beating Balzan 4-3 on penalties in a nailbiting FA Trophy quarter-final this evening.
Balzan had done well to equalise at the death to send the game into extra-time but their efforts to settle the tie were held off by the valiant Hibs who then prevailed thanks to goalkeeper Henry Bonello, who saved two penalties, before Clayton Failla struck the decisive shot to keep his team on course for the double.
Hibernians seized the initiative from the outset.
Steve Sultana, the Balzan goalkeeper, pushed away another dangerous effort from Jackson Lima but, on 16 minutes, it was the woodwork that came to the Reds' rescue.
Joseph Mbong, a conspicuous figure on the right, made another fine run into the box to reach Clayton Failla's cross but his rising shot from point-blank distance came off the crossbar.
In their first notable attack, Balzan almost scored.
Justin Grioli's cross from the right landed in the goalmouth where Edison Zarate managed to anticipate goalkeeper Henry Bonello but his flick rolled past the post.
Hibernians were quick to respond, Marko Rajic driving wide from the edge of the box.
After a poor start, Balzan improved as the first half wore on but Hibs took the lead on 31 minutes.
Lima's cross from the left sailed into the box where Balzan striker Bojan Kaljevic looked well-placed to clear but the Montenegrin failed to hold the ball which dropped to Mbong who fired it past Sultana.
On the brink of half-time, Sultana kept his team in the game as he turned Lima's strike around the post.
Balzan also had a great chance to equalise when Oscar Guerrero's corner from the right flew across the face of goal and past Kajevic who failed to get a touch.
Inside the first minute of the second half had only just started when Failla raced into the box from the left before cutting the ball back to Cohen but the Hibs captain's first-timer was off target.
A fine Balzan move created an opening as Grioli traded passes with Dylan Grima on the right before the latter flicked the ball to Kaljevic whose firm drive almost caught Bonello by surprise after taking a deflection.
The Hibs goalkeeper needed two touches to keep the ball out with Balzan players claiming that the ball had crossed the line but the Georgian match officials decided otherwise.
On one occasion, Steve Bezzina dragged in a dangerous cross-shot from the byline and Bonello saved partially but Zarate's follow-on flick was tame.
Tempers boiled over 15 minutes from time when Balzan demanded a yellow card for Kristensen, who had already been booked, for a late tackle Guerrero in midfield.
Edison was sent off, for a second caution, after he squared up to Guerrero who was booked.
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, who replaced Guerrero, went close but his drive was repelled by Bonello.
Balzan upped the pressure in the dying stages but, in a counter-attack, Hibs threatened to apply the killer blow as Cohen's crossfield pass picked out substitute Farrugia who advanced into the box but his low effort was wide.
Balzan equalised with the last kick of the game, substitute Ryan Darmanin being on the right spot to hit home from Bezzina's headed assist.
Darmanin had a brilliant chance to put Balzan ahead in the second minute of extra-time but he fired over in front of a gaping goal after Mifsud Triganza's shot had come off the foot of the post.
Sultana then blocked a central header from Farrugia. Hibs thought they had scored when Lima's cross, from a free-kick, was headed backward by Kristensen but the ball dropped wide of the far post.
Bonello foiled Balzan when keeping out Darmanin's screamer as the Reds broke on the counter.
Hibs were down but not out. Farrugia drew a fine save from Sultana after being released by Kristensen.
There was another chance for Balzan when Piccioni's pass found Micallef unmarked in the box but the latter's drive was stopped by Bonello.