by Mgarr United claimed their first title in the women’s game, the Assikura Women’s Knockout, with a 2 – 0 victory against Hibernians. Luz Hernandez and Valeria Villegas Caly were on the mark, while Yulya Carella clipped the crossbar twice and was denied from the spot by Elizabeth Harrington. Hibernians’ captain, Martina Borg, also marked her final appearance in the match.
Team Selections
Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino retained a mostly unchanged defence. Elizabeth Harrington protected the goal, with Amber Galea and Natalee Geren being accompanied by the returning Jessica Dimech. Kayleigh Chetcuti returned to the heart of midfield alongside Nicole Sciberras. Yolande Attard and Ileana Farrugia started on the flanks. Alexis Espitia and Joelma Alves Gabriel started in attack. Captain Martina Borg completed the attack in her final playing appearance.
Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella made a change between the posts, with Giulia D’Antuono making the start. Rebecca Bajda and Yanina Mendez started as the full-backs, between the trusted partnership between Leanne Cefai and long-time servant, Abigail Camilleri, who also continued captaining the side in the absence of the injured Brenda Borg. Ann-Marie Said returned to the starting eleven in the midfield partnership with Amber Grech. Yulya Carella and Luz Hernandez started on the flanks, supporting Alejandra Villegas Caly and Valeria Villegas Caly who spearheaded the attack.
How It Unfolded
The match kicked off with the early battles shaping up as Natalee Geren closely marked Valeria Villegas Caly as the Greens looked to employ the quick transition. At the other end, Amber Grech and Joelma Alves Gabriel were keeping a close eye on each other.
Both sides had early corner opportunities but it was Mgarr United that made the routine pay off. Movement in the box appeared to be straight out of the training ground and although Elizabeth Harrington punched out the first, Luz Hernandez was lethal with the header to open the scoring in the 6th minute.
If there was any doubt of the importance of the contest, it was made clear with the elbows-out approach that both teams took as Hibernians chased the game, while Mgarr United sought to find the second on the counter.
Referee Rapjan Xhyra was looking to keep a tight eye on things but allowing play to flow. However, the Paolites’ frustration grew at a penalty shout that was dismissed, following which further questions were probed toward the assistants Paula Buttigieg and Sara Kankaras.
The Paolites were hard at work but growing frustrated as miscommunications tampered with their attempt to get back into the match. The Greens were holding the fort, with a high energy desire to charge down every ball and close every space across the pitch. They were looking dangerous every time they sped forward in transition.
Yulya Carella came close, brushing the crossbar in the 25th minute. However, six minutes later it was Hibernians who came close. Natalee Geren launched a free-kick from midfield, which travelled in the wind and caught Giulia D’Antuono. The goalkeeper got something on it but let slip, with the clearance arriving just in time to deny Hibernians the tap in.
Mgarr United’s Luz Hernandez was denied from closing in on goal by an excellent recovery by Amber Galea, with the young defender keen on keeping the team in it. The Paolites grew in the half, with Martina Borg managing to open space enough to let fly, but finding more bodies ready to block the effort.
However, the Greens found the second goal just before half-time against the run of play with Hibernians authoring their own demise. A loose free-kick from defence was picked off by Mgarr United. Alejandra Villegas Caly drove forward before applying a weighted-curler toward Valeria Villegas Caly. The in-form forward beat Elizabeth Harrington despite the goalkeeper trying to close the angle.
There were no changes at the break from either coach. Hibernians’ hopes of an early fight back appeared to be immediately under threat as referee Rapjan Xhyra pointed to the spot in the 48th minute, after Luz Hernandez was brought down by Elizabeth Harrington. However, the goalkeeper kept out Yulya Carella’s effort from the penalty, before Carella’s rebound header clipped the crossbar.
Kenneth Costantino made a double switch soon after, bringing on Leah Ayres in attack, with Yolande Attard making way. The change triggered a switch to a back-four as the Paolites tried to get back into it. There was a straight swap in defence with Jessica Dimech making way for Georgiana Mifsud.
Hibernians upped the ante, with Natalee Geren attempting an effort in the 55th minute. However, Giulia D’Antuono was alert at the near post. Having started to knock on the door, the Paolites fashioned a clearer opportunity as Joelma Alves Gabriel squared a cross toward Alexis Espitia. However, the finish flashed across the face of goal.
Still, Hibernians kept up the pressure, but found a solid Mgarr United defensive line keen on their clean sheet. Abigail Camilleri made a crucial tackle on Leah Ayres as Hibernians drove forward with numbers in the box and time ticking away.
Martina Borg and Nicole Sciberras continued to be key in attempting to drive Hibernians forward, but Mgarr United proved disciplined in blocking efforts. Joelma Alves Gabriel managed to sneak one toward goal, but it lacked the venom to trouble Giulia D’Antuono.
Yulya Carella sent the ball into the net in the 70th minute, against the run of play, but saw it cancelled by the offside flag. Tensions rose further with Rapjan Xhyra getting involved and brandishing bookings for Valeria Villegas Caly and Leah Ayres as the 70th minute expired.
Final changes were made. Mgarr United, Ryan Vella shut up shop by bringing on Maia Debono instead of Luz Hernandez, with the Greens switching to a back five, while Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino deployed Nyorah Celeste in attack, with Kayleigh Chetcuti making way. Despite this, Hibernians’ could not trouble late on, with Mgarr United effective in taking any momentum out of the match en route toward their maiden title.
Final Score: Hibernians 0 – 2 Mgarr United
Lead Image: Elise Bajada
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