That is it…hard fought win for Hibs….Balzan 0-1 Hibernians.
Last minute of extra time .Balzan have free kick, Busuttil fires ball straight to Saco…that may well be it….
Chukunyere nearly hero but his effort in front of goal sails over…
90 mins played. fourth official shows 3 mins extra time.
89m. Chukunyere snap shot inside box so close..Balzan keeper just gets hand to it…
82m. Awosanya fires in cross from right, Shaw first to the danger, thumps ball clear..warning that Balzan are not finished yet.
Close..Chukunyere, another substitute, hits post from close range. Hibs trying to extend their lead as we head into last 15 minutes.
GOAL. 70m. Substitute Carvalho turns and fires home from close range. Balzan 0-1 Hibernians.
69 m. Big chance for Balzan, Busuttil just inches away from sliding ball into net….best chance so far for Bazan.
60 mins. Still goal-less. neither side can find finishing touch..
Confusion in Hibs box as they fail to clear danger. Caruana takes a shot from outside box. just over..warning for Hibs….still a tight game this.
Busuttil effort from close range tipped over by Saco for corner..good try.
50m Hibs corner. Kristensen at near corner, his header finds Balzan keeper Golovic.
HT. Balzan 0-0 Hibernians
Arab Samir sees goal looming but his shot from edge flies high and wide..probably heading for the Grand Harbour.
Into the last five minutes of entertaining first half, Balzan get two corners in quick succession. Hibs supporters making their voices heard. Still no goals.
Busuttil gets half a yard in Hibs box. defenders relieved to block his effort. despite their position in bottom half of table, Balzan are proving a stiff test for Hibs. tight game so far.
23m. Balzan have free-kick just outside box. central with D..Lima fires way over bar.
Awosanya proving handful for Hibs left back…bit nippy this lad..has the pace to get behind defenders. Hibs need to be on their toes.
18 m. Bruno gets past Balzan defenders on right wing but flag goes up. just offside…close call that.
Early pressure coming from Balzan. Jan Busuttil tries powerful shot from 30 yards, forces Hibs keeper Saco to push ball out for corner. Balzan fail to make it count. Still 0-0.
Balzan v Hibernians kick-off.
With Floriana and Sliema Wanderers ending goal-less, Hibernians have the chance to go level on points with second placed Floriana with a win over Balzan.
