Carella Stunner Settles Tight Contest As Mgarr Edge Out Hibernians

by Eleanor Saliba

Yulya Carella’s strike proved decisive as Mgarr United edged Hibernians 1–0 in a tense encounter. The Greens came close to extending through Valeria Villegas Caly’s & Yanina Mendez both striking the post, and held on against sustained late pressure from the Paolites in search of an equaliser. Though the Greens edge closer to the maiden title with the win, it was also match overcast by what appears to be a serious injury to Mgarr’s full-back, Rebecca Bajada.

Team Selections

Hibernians’ Maya Cachia started in goal behind a defence consisting of Amber Galea, Natalee Geren and Amy Catania. Olivia Nazarko and Francesca Bartolo accompanied captain Nicole Sciberras in midfield. Yolande Attard and Cali Schechinger started out on the wings, with Leah Ayres and Nyorah Celeste.

Mgarr United’s Giulia D’Antuono retained the place between the sticks for the league leaders behind an unchanged defence, including Rebecca Bajada, Leanne Cefai, captain Abigail Camilleri and Yanina Mendez. Maia Debono anchored the midfield, with Amber Grech and Brenda Borg pushed further forward. Yulya Carella and Alejandra Villegas Caly started out wide, with Valeria Villegas Caly trusted forward in attack.

How It Unfolded

The opening stages were cautious, with early nerves evident on both sides with onlookers struggling to contrast the two teams donning white-washed outfits and matching socks as the Maltese game continues to defy the footballing gods.

Hibernians looked to press high and disrupt Mgarr’s rhythm, while the Greens were quick to play direct in transition. Mgarr’s shape saw Brenda Borg pushing forward aggressively, almost as a secondary striker, with Amber Grech operating higher up the pitch but retreating diligently to support defensively when required. Maia Debono anchored the last line, offering stability in front of the back four.

Though Mgarr showed promise in early stages, Hibernians delivered a corner after eight minutes, with Cali Schechinger working the ball to the edge of the box for Francesca Bartolo, whose powerful strike flew wide. Moments later, the match opened up briefly as Amy Catania intercepted a diagonal pass and quickly transitioned into a release for Nyorah Celeste on the counter. However, Giulia D’Antuono raced off her line and blocked decisively before gathering.

The battle in midfield intensified as the half progressed, with both sides well aware of each other’s strengths. A promising long-throw routine involving the Villegas Caly sisters was snuffed out by good defensive work from Natalee Geren and Amber Galea. At the other end, Hibernians pushed out wide, but found a compact Mgarr defence ready to pick off the meagre numbers in the box.

The breakthrough arrived after 35 minutes and it came in spectacular fashion. A diagonal ball was met first time by Yulya Carella, who unleashed an unstoppable volley into the roof of the net, catching Maya Cachia marginally off her line and leaving the goalkeeper with no chance despite a full-stretch effort. In a match crying out for someone to stand up and be counted, the youngster delivered.

Mid-Flight: Yulya Carella looks on as Maya Cachia set up for the ball that ultimately sealed the win for Mgarr United on the night. Credit: Dorienne Grech.

The goal tilted the balance. Frustration began to show on the Hibernians touchline as Martina Borg urged her side to move the ball forward more quickly, while Mgarr sensed vulnerability and pushed for a second. Maia Debono tested Cachia from distance, forcing a parry, before Valeria Villegas Caly struck low and true from outside the box, denied only by the post.

Hibernians attempted to respond before the break, but found Mgarr compact and organised, with Giulia D’Antuono dealing confidently with crosses and through balls. The sides went into the interval with Mgarr holding a narrow but deserved advantage.

Hibernians emerged with renewed intent after the restart, with a change on the right wing as Georgiana Mifsud replaced Yolande Attard. Leah Ayres and Nyorah Celeste looked to inject energy into the attack. Cali Schechinger drove an early effort goalward that signalled a brighter start. However, Mgarr remained dangerous, with Yanina Mendez almost doubling the lead when her curling effort from the left clipped the crossbar.

Crossbar rattled by Yanina Mendez as the Greens sought to extend. Credit: Dorienne Grech.

Set-pieces continued to test Maya Cachia, who produced a strong palm to deny another inswinging delivery from Amber Grech, while Mgarr’s defensive structure limited Hibernians’ counter-attacking threat despite sustained effort from Leah Ayres on the flank.

A tense but sportive affair took a dark turn on the hour mark when Rebecca Bajada was stretchered off following injury. It prompted a reshuffle that saw Maia Debono move wide and Luz Hernandez introduced. Substitutions followed at both ends as Hibernians also deployed a tripled switch with Ileana Farrugia, Misozi Zulu and Kayleigh Chetcuti replacing Olivia Nazarko, Francesca Bartolo and Nyorah Celeste. The Paolites set about their chase for the equaliser with fresh instructions dished by Martina Borg.

The match hit a sombre note as Rebecca Bajada’s injury ended her night. Credit: Dorienne Grech.

Despite increasing pressure, clear chances proved elusive for the Paolites. Mgarr’s back line remained disciplined, with Leanne Cefai reading danger well to cut out runs in behind, including a key interception as Misozi Zulu attempted to break late on.

The defining moment nearly came in stoppage time. Leah Ayres was released behind the defence and rounded the goalkeeper, but with limited support arriving, Mgarr recovered in numbers to block successive rebound efforts from Ileana Farrugia and Misozi Zulu, preserving their lead amid frantic scenes. Ryan Vella applauded from the touchline as Martina Borg urged her side forward in search of a late equaliser.

Leah Ayres (17) dribbling away from Giulia D’Antuono, with the Paolites’ forward searching for support in the box moments later as the side chased a late equaliser. Credit: Dorienne Grech.

However, Mgarr saw out the remaining seconds by smartly working the ball into the corner, and the final whistle confirmed another narrow but significant victory. A performance built on organisation, patience, and a single moment of brilliance — qualities that continue to define Mgarr United’s campaign. For Hibernians, the effort and intensity were there, but once again, the decisive edge proved elusive.

Final Score: Hibernians 0 – 1 Mgarr United

Standings & Next Matches

The Greens extend their lead to fifteen points above Hibernians, who remain in third place. Mgarr United will kick off the final round against the second-placed and defending champions, Swieqi United, at the Centenary Stadium at 20:15. Hibernians will seek to bounce back against San Gwann on Friday at the Charles Abela Stadium (20:30).

However, before then the weekend will continue with the clash between San Gwann & Birkirkara tonight at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30), before Swieqi United welcome Valletta at the Charles Abela Stadium tomorrow at 18:00.