HIBERNIANS 5

Grech 19; Fonesca 46; Taylon 63,77, 79

BALZAN 1

Ljubomirac 67

Hibernians set up a title showdown with Valletta when they crushed Balzan 5-1 at the Hibs Stadium to join the Citizens at the top of the table after the end of the Premier League campaign.

The Paolites were off to a fast start and they took just 19 minutes to take the lead.

Latching on a through pass from Marco Sahanek, Jake Grech held his nerve to direct the ball past the on-rushing Sean Mintoff.  

The goal came at a cost for Hibs as they lost the services of Marcelo Dias who was replaced by Bjorn Kristensen.

Balzan responded with efforts from Alfred Effiong and Riccardo Correa that was well saved by goalkeeper Marko Jovicic. 

Inside the first minute of the second half, Fonseca pounced on a sloppy back pass from Correa to slot the ball under the body of Mintoff and open a two-goal cushion for the Paolites.

Hibs’ third goal was also calamitous when Taylon was allowed a clear shot at goal by another careless clearance to hit a rising shot past the goalkeeper.

Not to be undone, Balzan reduced the deficit when Uros Ljubomirac made contact at full stretch with a cross from the right to hit home.

Any hopes that Balzan had of coming back into the game disappeared when Elkin Serrano Valero was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

On 77 minutes, Ntow combined with Sahanek to set up Taylon who beat Mintoff with a header.

Two minutes later, Taylon was at it again hitting home after receiving from the Austrian winger to complete his hat-trick.

There was a nervous wait from the Hibs supporters for the final whistle but the news that Ħamrun equalised eventually reached Corradino and the celebrations started.

Jake Grech of Hibernians was named BOV Player of the Match.