Hibernians registered a 5-1 win over Balzan at the Hibernians Stadium on Saturday. A win which enabled them to join Valletta on top the BOV Premier League table on the 58-point mark and at this point a Championship Decider is necessary to determine which way the title will go.

The Paolites took the lead on the 19th minute when Jake Grech received an assist by Marco Sahanek and advanced into the area before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.

One minute in the second half, Hibernians doubled the score thanks to Tiago Adan Fonseca who entered the area from the right after taking advantage of a Ricardo Correa back-pass, hitting low past the Balzan goalkeeper.

Taylon Nicolas Correa Marcolino made it 3-0 for Hibernians on 63 minutes, beating the Balzan custodian with a rising shot to put victory beyond doubt.

Five minutes later, Uros Ljubomirac pulled one back for Balzan with a rising shot which gave Marko Jovicic no chance.

However on 69 minutes, Balzan were reduced to ten men after having Elkin Serrano Valero sent off by referee Mario Apap.

Taylon Correa made it 4-1 on 77 minutes as he headed the ball home off a cross from the left by Ntow.

Three minutes later, Taylon added another beating Mintoff with a shot from just inside the area, when served by Mbong.

HIBS Marko Jovicic, Dunstan Vella, Marcio Barbosa da Silveira, Joseph Mbong, Jake Grech (80′ David Xuereb), Marcelo Dias (23′ Bjorn Kristensen), Isaac Ntow (82′ Timothy Tabone Desira), Taylon Nicolas Correa Marcolino, Marco Sahanek, Andrei Agius, Tiago Adan Fonseca.
Subs not used: Rudy Briffa, Connor Zammit, Daneel Abela, Andreas Vella.
Coach: Stefano Sanderra
Asst. Coach: Ryan Pulis

BALZAN Sean Mintoff, Justin Grioli, Nenad Sljivic, Steve Pisani, Paul Fenech (58′ Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes), Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac, Elkin Serrano Valero, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte (78′ Steve Bezzina), Andrija Majdevac, Milos Lepovic (71′ Sean Cipriott).
Subs not used: Steve Sultana, Dale Camilleri, Lydon Micallef, Michael Johnson.
Coach: Jacques Scerri
Asst. Coach: Velibor Kopunovic

Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Edward Spiteri
Fourth Official: Matthew De Gabriele
Yellow Cards: Grioli, Serrano
Red Cards: 69′ Serrano
BOV Player of the Match:

Attendance: 1,711