Hibs ease past tame Balzan

HIBS 2 BALZAN 0 Two first-half goals were enough for Hibs to see off the tame challenge of Balzan whose hopes of a positive result were shattered as early as the 32nd minute when Gambian defender Matthew Mendy was sent off for two yellow cards. The Paolites easily preserved their two-goal cushion in an uneventful second half to narrow the gap on leaders and rivals Valletta to one point. As for Balzan, this defeat has all but dashed their Championship Pool hopes. Hibernians pressed forward from the initial whistle. Eight minutes into the game, Jean Paul Farrugia released Clayton Failla whose cross-shot came off the crossbar after taking a deflection. Balzan created their first chance on 16 minutes when Firas Aboulezz made a superb run down the left and his cross was flicked on by Ryan Darmanin but Jacob Borg's weak effort was blocked by the Hibs defenders. The game was 30 minutes old when Hibs took the lead. Failla delivered a menacing cross from the right and Stefan Giglio headed into his own net as he attempted to clear. After losing Renie Forace to injury, Balzan suffered another blow when Matthew Menduy was sent off after earning a second booking for a poor challenge on Andrew...