Luis Edison charges forward for Hibs yesterday. Photo: Jason Borg

Balzan 4
Pearson og 14; Micallef 39, 74; Negrin 62;
Hibernians 4
Pearson 4; Farrugia 36; Obiefule 50, Failla 64;

Hibernians’ defensive frailties undermined a vibrant attacking display as they squandered the lead four times in an extraordinary 4-4 draw against Balzan.

The final stalemate was a fair outcome as neither side deserved to lose but Branko Nisevic must have been incensed to see his team fail to kill off their resilient opponents.

The match developed into an interesting affair with Hibs’ propensity to move forward into offensive positions left Balzan with little option other than to deploy more men behind the ball and then bank on quick counterbreaks.

But Jesmond Zerafa will no doubt praise his side’s spirit who fought until the end to leave Ta’ Qali with a point in their bag.

Nisevic’s starting XI showed one change from the 3-2 defeat to Valletta.

The returning Jonathan Pearson was preferred to Timothy Tabone Desira who had to settle for a place on the bench as the Serbian tactician reshaped his backline with Ryan Camilleri switching to right-back, Clayton Failla reverted to left-back and Pearson partnering Igor Radusinovic at the heart of defence.

The tactical gameplan was 4-1-2-3 with the attacking triumvirate of Jean Paul Farrugia, Obinna Obiefule and Luis Edison.

The Balzan line-up showed two changes from the 1-0 victory over Sliema. Dylan Grima deputised for the suspended Justin Grioli on the right flank while Firas Aboulezz received Zerafa’s nod to start ahead of the half-fit Mark Spiteri who was among the substitutes.

The Paolites stunned Balzan when taking the lead inside the opening four minutes.

Edison was prominent as his looping header from Failla’s free-kick released Pearson who rammed past Emanuel Bartolo, the Balzan goalkeeper.

Balzan’s reply was immediate and the score became even on 13 minutes. Pearson went from hero to zero when he turned Lydon Micallef’s cross into his own net.

Edison’s movement troubled the Balzan defence to the point that Andrew Scicluna almost committed an own goal after 28 minutes in a bid to anticipate the Hibernians striker.

The excitement was kept up and at the other end, Edison Bilbao Zarate outpaced Camilleri on the right flank but Daniel Balzan came to his side’s rescue when he rushed off his line to block the Chilean midfielder.

Hibs regained their lead on 36 minutes. Capitalising on some hesitant defending by Balzan, Edison served Farrugia who pulled clear of the back-tracking Bilbao and Aboulezz before rifling past Bartolo.

Hibernians’ joy was shortlived as Balzan equalised three minutes later.

José Armario Negrin cashed in on a defensive error by Radusinovic only to see his effort crashing against the bar. However, the ball fell kindly into the path of Micallef who had the easiest of tap-ins.

The tit-for-tat of the game persisted after the break.

Obiefule made it 3-2 five minutes into the second half.

The shaky Balzan defence was unlocked by a neat three-man move as Edison cut the ball back for Failla who set up the Nigerian striker to prod the ball home with a delicate lob over Bartolo.

An open game continued to produce scoring chances sporadically.

Past the hour mark, Micallef burst past two defenders on the right flank but his attempt was deflected towards Aboulezz who squared for Negrin who poked home from few metres out.

The flurry of goals continued. Hibernians were awarded a free-kick after 64 minutes when Bezzina flattened Edison just outside the box and Failla bent his shot beyond the wall and away from Bartolo’s reach.

It looked like Hibs would hold on this time but Micallef had other ideas, when the Balzan striker powered his way into the box outmuscled Tabone Desira, who had came in for Camilleri after the break, before unleashing a swerving shot into the far corner.

Balzan’s equaliser knocked Hibernians out of their stride.

Micallef missed an inviting chance to snatch the winner five minutes from time, hitting just wide after ball had been diverted into his path.

Balzan
E. Bartolo-5, Ramon-5, S. Bezzina-7, A. Scicluna-5, K. Magro-5, L. Micallef-8, E. Zarate Bilbao-6, F. Aboulezz-6.5, J. L. Armario Negrin-6.5, Pedrinho-5, D. Grima-5.

Hibernians
D. Balzan -5, R. Camilleri-5 (46 T. Tabone Desira-5), I. Radusinovic-4.5, J. Pearson-6, Jackson Lima-6, B. Kristensen-6, C. Failla-7, Z. Levnaic-5, O. Obiefule-6.5 (81 B. Muscat), J.P. Farrugia-6 (63 A. Cohen), L. Edison-6.5.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Yellow cards: Levnaic; Kristensen; Bez-zina, Tabone Desira.

BOV player of the match: Lydon Micallef (Balzan).