by Valletta secured a winning start to the final phase with a 1 – 0 victory against Lija Athletic. The Citizens earned an early lead courtesy of a header from Ylenia Grech. The side could not add to their tally despite further chances, while Lija Athletic will rue late opportunities to earn the equaliser.
Team Selections
Gabriella Grima started in goal for Valletta, behind a back trio consisting of Megan La Rosa, Eunice Micallef and captain Anna Aloisio. Lucie Lucas and Lilou Lucas flanked Ylenia Grech in midfield, while Laura Muscat and Suzanne Farrugia Sacco operated as wing-backs. Rodianne Zerafa partnered Oriane Le Gouez in attack.
Isabel Sanchez occupied the space between the sticks for Lija Athletic, behind a trio of Lorna-Maria Cassar, Nell Zarb Cousin and captain Sarah Micallef. Emma Ruth Lake and Ilona Sultana started as the wing-backs. Shakira Bugeja and Leanne Micallef operated in midfield alongside Kylie Pantalleresco. Margerita Ulani Belkis and Kayleigh Abela led the attack.
How It Unfolded
Valletta got their noses in front early on with a free-kick launched from midfield that Ylenia Grech headed into the right corner from close range. However, they struggled to back it up despite control of possession, with Lija Athletic also looking for their own opportunities to build from the back and mount an attacking threat.
Both sides had corner opportunities early on, but neither were able to make it pay off. There was plenty of interest in midfield with Lija looking to play direct through the centre, while Valletta were more keen to utilise their wing-backs.
Kayleigh Abela and Margerita Ulani Belkis were doing their best to take a run at Valletta’s defensive trio, while at the other end, Valletta were seeking to release their forward line on goal. However, Lija’s Isabel Sanchez was keen to jump off her line, while the defensive trio made their presence known.
Valletta’s support were in unison in a penalty claim in the 37th minute. However, referee Mark Azzopardi waived play on, with the Citizens getting on with it rather quickly.
The Citizens mounted pressure further toward the end of the half in search of their second with a major opportunity in the 41st minute as Suzanne Farrugia Sacco squared a ball to Ylenia Grech who was in space in the penalty box. However, Isabel Sanchez came out on top.
The side had one final chance to launch a ball forward, with Gabriella Grima testing her counterpart Isabel Sanchez. She made the initial save, before Anna Aloisio’s rebound was fired over the bar.
Half-Time Score: Valletta 1 – 0 Lija Athletic
Lija Athletic’s Jethron Azzopardi made one change at the break in attack, bringing on Phoebe Camilleri in replacement of Kayleigh Abela, with Margerita Ulani Belkis thrusted forward.
The rain that started before the end of the first half did not relent for the remainder of the match, but it did not dampen the spirits, nor the voices of those involved. The referees got an earful in the 53rd minute, when Valletta’s Suzanne Farrugia Sacco saw her shot blocked for a corner by Isabel Sanchez, only for the officials to award a goal-kick.
The Citizens looked to push further, unafraid to pull the trigger from distance. Lilou Lucas worked Isabel Sanchez with a central effort, before Rodianne Zerafa attempted to find the far post with her right foot from distance only to see it skid just off the wrong side of the post.
Both coaches made changes as the hour elapsed. Valletta’s Jean Lopes made a triple change with Oriane Le Gouez, Ylenia Grech and Suzanne Farrugia Sacco replaced by Leona Carabott, Monique Sultana and Alicia Mifsud.
Lija’s Jethron Azzopardi brought on Ylenia Azzopardi on the right wing, replacing Emma Ruth Lake, with the change triggering a change in shape to a back four.
There was little to shout for as the half wore on, with the midfield battle ensuing and Valletta still more threatening but struggling to find the quality up top. Rodianne Zerafa appeared to be onto something in the 75th minute, rolling a marker before skipping past another to dive into the box. However, Sarah Micallef shuffled across to clear for a corner. Laura Muscat picked Zerafa out once more but she could not manage to get a shot away before Lija cleared.
Jean Lopes made another double swap, with Laura Muscat and Rodianne Zeafa making way for Sarah Fenech and Sara Bonello Ghio. Jethron Azzopardi’s final change was to bring on Maria Ibrahim in replacement of Margerita Ulani Belkis.
Valletta continued their search and were waived away from another penalty shout for a handball in the box. Lucie Lucas swerved to make space for the shot, earning the deflection for a corner which Lija saw away. A final opportunity arose from a free-kick which Lucie Lucas launched into the box. However, Lija Athletic managed to clear.
Having withstood most of the pressure Lija had three chances to put the ball into the box with a free-kick on the left wing defended for successive corners. However, Valletta cleared their lines twice more to hold on to the three points.
Final Score: Valletta 1 – 0 Lija Athletic
Standings & Next Matches
Valletta take their tally to fourteen points and put some distance to Lija Athletic who remain on nine. The two are expected to face Mtarfa and San Gwann respectively in their next matches. However, the exact fixtures are still to be released.
Further matches are to be played this weekend, with the other encounter in the Bottom Four between Mtarfa and San Gwann to be played tonight at the Charles Abela Stadium at 20:30. Tomorrow presents a double-header at Dingli Ground as top two Hibernians and Birkirkara face each other at 14:00, before Mgarr United and Swieqi United meet at 16:30.
Lead Image: 19r_studio / Valletta FC Women
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