Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/667669
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 APRIL 2016 Sport 50 FOOTBALL Hibs keep title bid alive with easy win over Balzan PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD Hibernians ......................3 Balzan ............................1 HIBERNIANS maintained their Premier League title challenge with a thumping victory over Balzan. Buoyed by Valletta's derby loss to eternal rivals Floriana last week- end, Hibs joined the Citizens at the top of the league on the 48-point mark, with Valletta having a game in hand. Hibs were deserved winners and Brazilian playmaker Gilmar was in inspirational form for the reigning champions. On the other hand, Balzan suf- fered a fatal blow to their faint title hopes as they are now five points behind the front two. Jorge da Silva Pereira put Hibs ahead on the 19th minute with a curved shot which gave Balzan goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic no chance. Hibs doubled their lead on the 27th minute when Gilmar's close- range shot was blocked by Janjuse- vic but Jorge Santos Silva was quick to pounce on the rebound to place the ball at the back of the net. A shell-shocked Balzan created their first notable goal scoring op- portunity in the final minutes of the first half. As the game resumed after the break, Balzan tried to raise their game but Hibs held firm. Hibs sealed the points by scoring their third on the hour when Jorge Santos Silva placed the ball at the back of the net with a back-heel shot. Four minutes from time, Balzan scored a consolation goal thanks to Justin Grioli whose powerful drive from well outside the penalty area ended in the top left corner. HIBERNIANS: Justin Haber, Jon- athan Pearson, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla (73' Diosdado Mbele Mangue Mba), Andrei Agius, Jorge da Silva Pereira, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, Jorge Santos Silva (90' Jurgen Dega- briele). Subs not used: Jurgen Borg, Dunstan Vella, Zach Scerri, Joseph Essien Mbong, David Xuereb. Coach: Branko Nisevic BALZAN Ivan Janjusevic, Justin Grioli, Paul Fenech, Steve Bezzina (73' Ryan Fenech), Pedro dos San- tos Calcado, Samir Arab (31' Samir Arab), Alfred Effiong, Alan da Silva Souza, Lydon Micallef (75' Alek- sandar Vujacic), Elkin Orlando Ser- rano Valero, Dylan Grima. Subs not used: Christian Cassar, Bojan Kaljevic, Sean Cipriott, Luke Sciberras. Coach: Oliver Spiteri Referee: Clayton Pisani Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, David Castillo Additional Assistant Referees: Mario Apap, Emanuel Grech Fourth Official: Luke Portelli Yellow Cards: P. Fenech, Pedrinho, Dias, Serrano, Santos Silva, R. Fene- ch Scorers: 19' Jorge da Silva Pereira, 27' Jorge Santos Silva, 60' Jorge San- tos Silva BOV Player of the Match: Jorge San- tos Silva Attendance at the National Sta- dium: 1,586 Hibernians' victory over Balzan has increased the pressure on Valletta FC