by The eighth weekend in the Assikura Women’s League offered victories for Valletta, Birkirkara and Mgarr United, while Swieqi United and Hibernians could not get the better of each other after ninety minutes. This round-up summarises the matches in the Maltese domestic league, which will return in November following the international break.
Valletta Win Over Lija, Hibs & Swieqi Deadlocked
The second round of the Assikura Women’s League opened with a 1-0 victory for Valletta against Lija Athletic on Thursday, with the only goal coming from the penalty spot by Eduarda Martins Souza. The full report may be read here.
It was followed up by the second match on Friday, where the Victor Tedesco Stadium played host to the encounter between league leaders Hibernians and third-placed Swieqi United. The two ended the night deadlocked, with Hibernians playing the numbers game knowing that the onus was on the Owls to get the three points.
Swieqi United had at least one golden opportunity from a free-kick early on in the second-half, right on the penalty box line, but the Hibernians wall did its job. Karima Abdulai also struck the woodwork for the Owls with curled effort from outside the box. Salamatu Abdulai was also released free on goal late on, but was denied by Elizabeth Harrington.
On their part, the league leaders picked their spots to go forward, but where largely kept at bay by Swieqi United. Joelma Alves Gabriel attempted a curler of her own but was wide of the mark with the finish, while the Swieqi United defence did its job against closer range efforts. The side looked to get the spring on the Owls with a late counter-attack through Alexis Espitia which landed Emma Xuereb in the book following her obstruction of play.
Although Hibernians will not be too worried by the result, Natalee Geren’s late dismissal following a second booking late in the match puts some spanners in the works for the confrontation against Mgarr United. That will be played following the return from the international break (more below).
The result ensures that Hibernians maintain the top spot, with a four-point gap to third place. It dashes the hopes of Swieqi United who would’ve closed it down to one point at the start of the second round, had they secured the victory. Still the Owls will be encouraged by having avoided defeat which would have left them trailing by seven points from the top this early in the season.
Birkirkara Move Within One Point From The Top
The draw benefits defending champions Birkirkara who captured a 5 – 0 victory against San Gwann to close the gap to leaders Hibernians to just one point. The result more than halves the initial scoreline with which the Stripes won against the Yellows in the opening matchday, but San Gwann will still walk away with no points from the encounter.
The Stripes got the comfort of a two-goal cushion in quick succession with Calista Schechinger and Alishia Cassar finding the net within the span of a minute close to the quarter-hour mark.
Cassar backed it up with the thrid goal before the break, while Calista Schechinger also made it a brace for herself and four for the team in the 69th minute. Erica Bispo delivered the final blow for San Gwann in the 75th minute.
The match also featured the first appearance for Kirsty Paris in San Gwann colours who was deployed from the bench by Julian Camilleri for the final twenty minutes.
Mgarr United Bounce Back To Slash Gap To Third
Fourth-placed Mgarr United also bounced back with a 6 – 0 win against bottom-side Mtarfa, with the result enabling the Greens to close the gap to third-placed Swieqi United to one point. Despite the defeat the Blues walk away with a much-improved scoreline from the one accrued in the opening matchday.
Both sides sported new kits for the match, with Mgarr United decked out in an all-blue kit, while Mtarfa were fitted in canary yellow. Mgarr United looked to get themselves in control early on utilising the wet conditions quicken their play.
Valeria Villegas Caly opened the scoring in the 27th minute, tapping home a cross from Brenda Borg who powered past the Mtarfa defence to find space for the pass. The second goal came just five minutes later, with Veronique Mifsud playing it forward to Brenda Borg who stood on the defensive line. The skipper cut-back to Valeria Villegas Caly who struck the shot from outside the box to find the back of the net for the second time.
Having been denied earlier on, Yulya Carella headed home Brenda Borg’s corner delivery for the third goal in the 35th minute. Mgarr United’s number eleven was on the money again just three minutes later. Yanina Mendez delivered a free-kick from the right-win, which Maia Debono helped on, before Carella applied the finishing touch at the far post.
Veronique Mifsud got things going in the second half with a precise free-kick that nestled into the bottom left corner of the net from just outside the box.
Mtarfa threatened a response from the left flank with a counter-attack. Claire Versteegh drove forward before trying to apply the chip over Giulia D’Antuono from distance, but was wide with the finish.
However, it was Mgarr United that finished off the score with Yulya Carella making it a hat-trick in the 68th minute. The winger powered her way on the right flank, before sliding on the finish that struck the left post on its way in.
International Break & Next Matches
The Maltese women’s league will be on hiatus as the international break plays out. Malta’s contingent will be facing Italy for a friendly in Rome on the 25th October at 18:15. Other European nations will be competing in play-off matches for qualification in the UEFA Women’s European Qualifications, with the full list of ties available here.
The Assikura Women’s League returns on November first with a double-header. Hibernians will meet Mgarr United at the Centenary Stadium (20:30) with the two sides sitting in first and fourth place, five points apart. Meanwhile, San Gwann will look to bounce back against Mtarfa on the 1st November at 20:30, with the former eyeing the opportunity to take their points to double figures with a victory.
On their part, Swieqi United return against Valletta on the 2nd of November at Mgarr Ground (KO 14:00). Birkirkara will return against Lija Athletic on the same date and at the same venue with a 16:30 kick-off.
Normal match-by-match coverage of the Assikura Women’s League will return following the international break.
Lead Images: Elise Bajada / Lara Schembri
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