BOV Premier League | Hibernians 0 – Balzan 1

In a match that failed to live up to expectations, Balzan registered a 1-0 win over Hibernians to make sure that they will finish the first round at the top of the table.

9 December 2017, 6:32pm
by Warren Zammit

2 min read

The match was mediocre with neither team managing to test the opposing goalkeeper. In fact, the two sides shared possession inside their own halves throughout the majority of the game.

Hibernians created the first chance of the match on the 18th minute. Clayton Failla hit a shot from distance that went wide.

The Paolites threatened again on the 36th minute. Dunstan Vella served Johann Bezzina inside the penalty area and the Hibs midfielder finished off target.

In the first fifteen minutes of the second half, Balzan showed better football and had a number of opportunities on goal.

On the 50th minute, Ryan Fenech hit a shot that went well over.

Balzan went close again on the 55th minute. Bojan Kaljevic sent a powerful shot that ended up centimetres wide.

Five minutes later, Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes fired a shot from a free-kick that failed to hit the target.

Hibernians hit back on the 77th minute. Johann Bezzina’s shot from the left went across the frame of goal.

Balzan scored the winning goal on the 90th minute. Substitute Alex Da Paixao Alves went past two defenders and finished past Andrew Hogg.

Hibernians starting line-up: Andrew Hogg, Dunstan Vella, Martin Kreuzriegler, Rui Da Garcia Gomes, Jackson De Lima Siqueira, Rodolfo Soares (Jurgen Degabriele – 90), Marcelo Dias, Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla (Marco Sahanek – 76), Johann Bezzina, Jorge Elias Dos Santos (Joseph Mbong -83)

Balzan starting line-up: Ivan Janjusevic, Steven Bezzina, Elkin Serrano Valero, Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac (Alex Da Paixao Alves – 69), Ryan Fenech, Bojan Kaljevic, Bruno Gilio de Oliveira, Paul Fenech, Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes (Michael Johnson – 90), Samir Arab (Justin Grioli - 88)

Referee: Matthew Degabriele

Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Sammy Attard

Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit

Yellow Cards: Paul Fenech (Balzan), Bruno Gilio de Oliveira (Balzan), Bjorn Kristensen (Hibs), Elkin Serrano Valero (Balzan), Jorge Elias Dos Santos (Hibs)

BOV Player of the Match: Jackson Lima (Hibs)