by Hibernians could not be contained by Valletta to ultimately secure a 7 – 0 victory yesterday evening. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco delivered a hat-trick against her former club, with Sarah Vella Barberi completing her two assists with with an Olimpico. Alanah Ghio delivered a debut goal, before substitute Ileana Farrugia and captain Nicole Sciberras completed the scoring late on.
Team Selections
Maya Cachia retained her place between the sticks for Hibernians, behind a back-four consisting of Yolande Attard, Georgiana Mifsud, Jessica Dimech and Calista Schechinger. Captain Nicole Sciberras continued to operate alongside Natalee Geren, while Suzanne Farrugia Sacco made her start in the number ten position. Sarah Vella Barberi and Kayleigh Chetcuti operated on the wings, while Laura Muscat led the attack.
Dorienne Grech also kept her place in goal for Valletta, behind a back four consisting of Julianne Camilleri, Shakira Bugeja, Ilona Sultana and Maria Abdilla. Eliza Csik started alongside Hannah Fenech in midfield. Edera Marmara’ and Sarah Fenech occupied the flanks. Captain Joelma Alves Gabriel operated in the number ten position behind the Liliana Cohete.
How It Unfolded
The two teams had early set-piece opportunities to deliver a ball into the box, but Hibernians had started to turn the cogs in possession by the seventh minute to take hold of the match. Sarah Vella Barberi was rampant on the wing, with the midfield finding the runs at will with their diagonals.
The opening goal arrived close to the quarter hour mark from a set-piece. Natalee Geren delivered, and although Valletta got something on it, Suzanne Farrugia Sacco fired the finish into the bottom right corner to open the scoring against her former club and her first goal in senior Hibernians’ colours.
The Paolites pushed for more and Jessica Dimech was denied by the crossbar in the 21st minute, heading a delivery from Sarah Vella Barberi at the far post.
However, Suzanne Farrugia Sacco continued her fine form in front of goal with the second goal just a minute later. This time it was Sarah Vella Barberi with the cross from the wing, with Suzanne Farrugia Sacco delivering the finish from inside the box into a gaping net.
The diagonal to Sarah Vella Barberi continued to work to good effect. Nicole Sciberras picked out the winger, before the two former Raiders’ linked up again for the third in the 27th minute, with Farrugia Sacco finishing Vella Barberi’s delivery with her left foot into the bottom right corner.
There was no respite for the Citizens who continued to struggle to earn respite in defence. Hibernian’s Yolande Attard was next to rise for a header in the box, but unable to direct it goalward, before Dorienne Grech did enough against a shot from Sarah Vella Barberi, which clipped the post.
However, Hibernians’ number seventy-seven delivered the fourth in the 41st minute direct from the corner flag to send the two sides into the break split wide open.
Half-Time Score: Hibernians 4 – 0 Valletta
The two coaches made changes at the break. Hibernians’ Martina Borg made three switches, with Yolande Attard, Sarah Vella Barberi and Suzanne Farrugia Sacco all making way. Amber Galea slotted in the heart of the defence, with Georgiana Mifsud moving to the right, while Olivia Nazarko and Lisa Calleja swapped with Farrugia Sacco and Vella Barberi.
Meanwhile, Anton Cremona brought on Kristina Zammit in the centre of the defence, while Lorna Cassar slotted on the left. Hannah Fenech and Maria Abdilla made way, with the team switching to a back-three.
The Paolites continued to dominate possession, with the Citizens struggling to get past the half-way line. Hibernians’ earned another major opportunity with Cali Schechinger continuing to make an impressive start to life with them as a willing winger to deliver into the box. However, Nicole Sciberras’s header did not hit the mark. The American delivered another cross to Olivia Nazarko moments later who made an intelligent run at the far post. However, the youngster also could not keep the first-timer placement on target at the far post.
Hibernians’ Martina Borg looked to her bench once more, deploying Ileana Farrugia instead of Kayleigh Chetcuti. Alanah Ghio also took to the pitch in midfield, with Laura Muscat making way and Lisa Calleja becoming the central forward for the side.
The two substitutes were keen to make their mark, with Alanah Ghio looking to get on the ball to start attacks, while Ileana Farrugia delivered a cross to Lisa Calleja within minutes. However, the forward could not trouble Dorienne Grech with the finish.
Valletta responded with a rare surge, as Eliza Csik and Joelma Alves Gabriel combined to get the team moving forward. However, Maya Cachia continued to yearn for a single chance to make a save. Sarah Fenech also attempted to play Liliana Cohete behind the defence moments later, but this time Amber Galea was next to dispossess cleanly before sending the team back on the front foot.
At the other end, Hibernians reignited the goalscoring touch in the 73rd minute. Cali Schechinger delivered the cross, with Alanah Ghio making the run forward and getting the tap in for the fifth goal of the night and a debut goal in her first senior appearance.
Anton Cremona made two further changes late on, with Liliana Cohete and Julianne Camilleri making way for Kate Muscat and Leona Carabott.
The Paolites missed successive opportunities with Valletta unable to contain Cali Schechinger and Ileana Farrugia who continued to orchestrate effectively. However, the side still found two more goals to finish off the night.
Nicole Sciberras delivered the diagonal to Ileana Farrugia who fired it into the far post for the sixth to get her name on the scoresheet in the 85th minute. The Hibernians’ captain finished off the night with a goal of her own, receiving the ball in the box Sciberras wriggled out the space before firing a left footed effort into the bottom left side of the goal.
Final Score: Hibernians 7 – 0 Valletta
Standings & Next Matches
Hibernians continue to match Mgarr United at the top of the table, with the two sides maximising the points out of the opening three matches.
Valletta will have a short turn-around as they next face San Gwann at the Centenary Stadium at 20:30 on Thursday. The two sides will grapple for their first points of the season. Meanwhile, Hibernians will prepare themselves to face the defending champions, Swieqi United, who on their part will be coming into it following a 1 – 0 victory against Birkirkara. They meet on Friday at the Charles Abela Stadium (20:30).
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Timeless Snaps By Francesca
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