by Hibernians secured their second win on the trot with a 2 – 1 victory against Birkirkara. Izabella Camilleri gave Birkirkara the lead early on, but the Paolites roared back with a penalty from Natalee Geren, with the defender also causing trouble to force an own goal by Birkirkara for Hibernians to secure the three points.
Team Selections
Hibernians’ Martina Borg handed Maya Cachia the start against her former club in goal, together with Cali Schechinger who continued to operate on the left wing. Yolande Attard started on the right, while Georgiana Mifsud partnered Jessica Dimech at the centre of the defence. Captain Nicole Sciberras continued the growing partnership with Natalee Geren in midfield, while Olivia Nazarko made her first senior start in the number ten position. Sarah Vella Barberi made her first appearance of the season on the right-wing, while Kayleigh Chetcuti operated on the left. Leah Ayres led the attack.
Birkirkara’s Billy Mock continued to utilise the experience of Janice Xuereb in goal. There were no changes in defence, with Mariah Cardona, Izabella Camilleri, captain Stephania Farrugia and Eunice Micallef holding their place. Amy Busuttil started against her former club in front of the defence alongside Ylenia Grech, while Gabriella Zahra operated further forwared. Maya Pellegrini and Lara May Azzopardi started on the wings, while Patricia Lamanna made her return to the Stripes spearheading the attack.
How It Unfolded
The Stripes had an early opportunity to get the ball into the box earning a free-kick on the left wing. Izabella Camilleri teased Maya Cachia with a curler but the goalkeeper punched out for a corner which Amy Busuttil headed over the bar.
However, Izabella Camilleri had her hands in the air in celebration in the 7th minute as the young defender fired a free-kick from the right-side of midfield that opened the score. The wind helped the delivery from the half-way line, but the Paolites were caught napping, allowing the ball to bounce in the box before nestling into the top left corner of the goal unencumbered.
Hibernians attempted a quick response with Cali Schechinger darting into the box. Stephania Farrugia attempted to dispossess but Leah Ayres was live to the ball. However, the shot from the tight angle was fired into the side netting.
Jessica Dimech pushed from the back with a dink for Schechinger to chase behind once more after the quarter hour mark. The American got the cross in, but Sarah Vella Barberi could not control the touch at the far post with the finish ending an easy gather for Janice Xuereb.
Birkirkara’s initial momentum continued to fizzle out, with the Stripes lacking to build momentum for further goals. Hibernians continued to look for ways to get themselves level with Cali Schechinger causing trouble again with a dart into the box that led to Raiden Psaila to point to the spot.
Natalee Geren fired the penalty into the top right corner of the net with power and precision to get the Paolites level on the half-hour mark. Martina Borg urged her side for more.
Both teams attempted to elevate play with the score back on level terms as the Stripes tried to go through the gears to regain control. Sarah Vella Barberi and Mariah Cardona continued to battle it out on the wing, with the Birkirkara full-back in control on the most part.
However, it was Hibernians who had one final opportunity before the break. Leah Ayres was released behind, with the forward doing the hard yards to sit down Janice Xuereb on the turn. However, Hibernians’ number seventeen was denied a spectacular goal with a lifted left-footed curler that was sailing into the centre of the net, but for a flying defensive header by Birkirkara’s captain, Stephania Farrugia.
Half-Time Score: Hibernians 1 – 1 Birkirkara
Billy Mock introduced a double-switch three minutes into the half, with Amelia Vassallo replacing Ylenia Grech, while Izabella Stringer entered the pitch in attack. Eunice Micallef gave way, with Lara May Azzopardi shifting into the right-back position.
Stringer sent an inviting cross in the 54th minute, which Patricia Lamanna climbed for in earnest. However, Maya Cachia was first to it in the air. The Stripes sought to bypass the defence with long kicks, but it was Hibernians who were on the front foot with a high press working to good effect.
Attempting to play from the back almost landed the Stripes in hot water in the close to the hour mark as the Paolites’ Olivia Nazarko won the ball against Izabella Camilleri. However, Janice Xuereb was lightning with the reactive save to keep things level. Nazarko continued to show no signs of hesitation at her first senior start with the young midfielder keen in getting involved.
The Paolites continued having the better spell of possession, with Nicole Sciberras next to thread a neat pass behind the defence. However, Janice Xuereb was off her line once more to collect ahead of Kayleigh Chetcuti who made the run behind.
Martina Borg made her first switch just after the hour mark, with Ileana Farrugia replacing Sarah Vella Barberi, taking to the left flank while Kayleigh Chetcuti shifted to the right.
Referee Raiden Psaila continued getting his fair share of stick for stopping play at every opportunity for players to get treatment mid-way through play, with both sides on his case at different moments in the match.
Despite this, Hibernians capitalised on their momentum in the 72nd minute to complete the comeback from a free-kick. Calista Schechinger’s delivery was not well cleared by the Stripes. Natalee Geren was first to the loose ball to fire goalward with the ball deflected on its way in by Maya Pellegrini.
Birkirkara’s Patricia Lamanna was shifted wide with Izabella Striner pushed centrally as the Stripes attempted to get themselves back into it. Meanwhile, Martina Borg continued to refresh the side in search of holding onto the points. Yolande Attard gave way to Laura Muscat. Lisa Calleja and Francesca Bartolo also made late appearances as Leah Ayres was forced off following a knock, while Georgiana Mifsud was retreated.
Birkirkara’s attack struggled to regain the momentum of the opening stint, with little to shout for, for their faithful, even in possession. However, the Stripes did earn a final opportunity with a free-kick in the 89th minute, which once again earned plenty of jeers from the Paolites at the soft approach from the officials.
Izabella Camilleri’s initial delivery was cleared but not with enough distance allowing Gabriella Zahra to take a swing at it. However, it was at a comfortable height for Maya Cachia who collected.
Calista Schechinger delivered a final long-range test for Janice Xuereb, utilising the wind from midfield, but the experienced goalkeeper was fully concentrated on collection.
Final Score: Hibernians 2 – 1 Birkirkara
Next Matches
The Paolites make it two wins out of two. They return against Valletta on the 13th of September at 20:30 at Dingli Ground. Meanwhile, Birkirkara will look to bounce back against Swieqi United on Friday 12th at the Centenary Stadium (20:30).
However, the second weekend of the Assikura Women’s League continues tonight as Valletta take on Mgarr United at 20:30 at the Centenary Stadium. Swieqi United welcome San Gwann at the same stadium and time tomorrow.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Maraya Gauci
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