Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/972198
maltatoday SUNDAY 22 APRIL 2018 Sports 52 FOOTBALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG HIBERNIANS ....................1 BALZAN ...........................0 WARREN ZAMMIT HIBERNIANS had an excellent chance to go ahead on the 16th minute. Ivan Janjusevic failed to clear his marks and gave Jurgen De- gabriele the chance to finish inside an open goal. However, the latter saw his effort being cleared off the line by Elkin Serrano Valero. Balzan hit back on the 23rd min- ute. Steve Bezzina delievered a cross towards Bojan Kaljevic whose header went slightly over. Marko Micovic was forced to make a substitution during half- time as Janjusevic suffered an in- jury and had to be replaced by Sean Mintoff. Alfred Effiong created the first chance of the second half, but his effort went wide. The Paolites broke the deadlock on the 56th minute. Following a corner, Rodolfo Soares served Clay- ton Failla and the latter finished inside the net. This goal shocked Balzan and made their game an uphill struggle. On the 73rd minute, Effiong de- livered a cross from the right that went into the path of Alex da Paix- ao Alves whose shot ended up mar- ginally wide. Mintoff was on the alert to deny Hibernians on the 86th minute. Johann Bezzina's powerful shot forced a great save from Balzan's custodian. Balzan pushed hard in the latter stages of the match, but could not find a way past Hibernians. Hibernians starting line-up: Andrew Hogg, Marcelo Dias, Rui da Gracia Gomes, Andrei Agius, Clayton Failla, Rodolfo Soares, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Dunstan Vella, Johann Bezzina, Jurgen De- gabriele, Joseph Mbong Balzan starting line-up: Ivan Janjusevic, Bojan Kaljevic, Ivan Bo- zovic, Alex da Paixao Alves, Elkin Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech, Ryan Fenech, Steve Bezzina, Alfred Ef- fiong, Michael Johnson, Milos Lepovic Referee: Glen Tonna Assistant Referees: Duncan Sul- tana, Thomas Debono Fourth Official: Darryl Agius Balzan's hopes of winning their first title were completely shattered as they suffered 1-0 defeat at the hands of Hibernians Balzan suffer a heartache against Hibernians