by Hibernians triumphed over Valletta by another 3-0 victory. Nyorah Celeste opened the scoring, while Alexis Espitia extended with a brace. Kayleigh Chetcuti and Chloe Ellul grab the assists.
Team News
Valletta’s Andressa de Souza Ramos continued her stay in goal. Denis Guerra initially started with a defensive trio of Georgiana Mifsud, Sabrin Blihi and Eduarda Martins Souza, who were flanked by Anna Aloisio and Miriana Conti. Captain Monique Sultana operated in midfield alongside Ylenia Grech and Laura Muscat. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco was handed a start partnering Marcelle de Oliveira Julio up top.
Meanwhile, Sharon Costantino returned in goal for Hibernians. There were no changes in defence as Chloe Ellul and Yolande Attard continued to flank the duo of Amy Busuttil and Natalee Geren. Gouder also stuck to the 4-3-3 formation, with Nicole Sciberras often pushing forward alongside Kayleigh Chetcuti and captain Martina Borg dropping deeper. Nyorah Celeste was given a start on the right wing, while Sarah Urpani continued her stay on the left. Alexis Espitia led the line.
Hibernians With Early Start
Gouder’s side started registering shots as from the first minute as Chloe Ellul picked out Nicole Sciberras’ run into the box. However, the number twenty was wayward with the volley. Sarah Urpani was next to try her luck but the left-footed shoot fizzed above the crossbar.
Their intent was clear and they opened the scoring in the sixth minute from a corner earned as Alexis Espitia pressed high, forcing an error at the back which led to a hasty clearance. Kayleigh Chetcuti delivered onto the head of Nyorah Celeste who made made good on her selection by heading in the opening goal despite the goalkeeper getting something on it.
Valletta made their first approach into attack toward the tenth minute. However, a cross from Miriana Conti had too much height on it which allowed Hibernians to regroup. Despite this, it got the team forward and out of their half well.
A good battle started to develop between Marcelle de Oliveira Julio and Natalee Geren, which lasted throughout the match and more often than not saw the Hibernians defender win the duel to deny Valletta’s forward goalscoring opportunities.
At the other end, Hibernians’ Chetcuti delivered another corner onto the head of Martina Borg whose header went wide of the mark. Meanwhile, Valletta displayed more attacking intent toward the twentieth-minute mark with Georgiana Mifsud relaying it to Eduarda Souza Martins who launched toward Marcelle de Oliveira Julio. However, her strike was off target. The forward managed to get past Geren five minutes later but her touch allowed Sharon Costantino to gather untroubled.
At the other end, Hibs tried to add to their tally by working a short free-kick. However, Andressa de Souza Ramos collected the resulting cross in the air to relieve pressure. Guerra’s team attempted to get forward quickly as Ylenia Grech attempted to release Marcelle de Oliveira Julio behind, however Natalee Geren was there once more to block for a corner. Hibernians cleared easily though before attempting the counter which was pulled back for offside.
The half-hour mark saw Marcelle de Oliveira Julio register a left-footed volley toward the goal. However, Sharon Costantino had her near post well covered.
Valletta appeared to be onto a crucial counter-attack as Eduarda Souza Martins released into Suzanne Farrugia Sacco. However, she was fouled before she had time to pick out Marcelle de Oliveira Julio. Hibernians, thwarted any threat from the free-kick.
Guerra’s side were punished for not doing more with these opportunities in the 35th minute. Alexis Espitia connected with a cross from Chloe Ellul getting a boot on the ball mid-flight to send it flying into the net for Hibernians’ second goal and her first of the night.
There were were limited chances for either side following that, with the referee’s whistle sending Hibernians two up at the break.
Espitia Extends Lead
Denis Guerra opted for a shift in formation at half-time into a 4-4-2. Eduarda Martins Souza pushed into centre of midfield alongside Monique Sultana, while Ylenia Grech and Laura Muscat took to the wings. Despite this, the team had limited goal threat.
Both sides had opportunities from corners, while each attempted counter-attacks that they could not quite convert. Hibernians appeared to be onto something in the 56th minute as Martina Borg surged forward and opened wide to Sarah Urpani who ran up to support. However, the number eight’s strike from distance lacked any accuracy to trouble the goalkeeper. Hibernians’ captain attempted a similar ball three minutes later toward Nyorah Celeste, but this time Anna Aloisio got a foot in to send it out for a throw-in.
Valletta developed one of their best opportunities shortly after with good team build-up in midfield that saw multiple players involved before Monique Sultana attempted to release Suzanne Farrugia Sacco behind. The ball deflected into her path and the youngster struck from distance, but could not work the goalkeeper. Denis Guerra made his first substitution shortly after, bringing on Gaia Antonelli instead of Ylenia Grech.
Hibernians won a free-kick on the hour mark which saw Alexis Espitia try the spectacular with volley from distance, but she had to wait a bit further for her goal. It arrived three minutes later. She was rewarded for her work ethic, winning the ball from the defence before surging forward and winning the duel with the goalkeeper by finishing low into the net.
Guerra’s team attempted to get something with Eduarda Martins Souza surging forward before being fouled by Amy Busuttil on the edge of the box. However, Hibernians defended the free-kick well.
Laura Muscat was replaced by Megan La Rosa toward the 72nd minute. Keith Gouder looked to his bench for the first time shortly after, bringing on Martina Cortis and Leah Ayres instead of Sarah Urpani and Nyorah Celeste. Cortis swapped with Urpani, while Ayres slotted in the centre of attack thus pushing Espitia out wide.
Hibernians were still searching for more as Martina Borg attempted to release Alexis Espitia for the hat-trick. However, Sabrin Blihi intercepted the pass, before Natalee Geren skied a long-distance attempt. The defender also worked the goalkeeper from an effort in the final minutes of the match. Kayleigh Chetcuti also had a couple of hits but was wide of the mark. Nicole Sciberras was also picked out by the number seven from a corner delivery but her volley was also not cleanly struck letting Valletta off the hook.
At the other end, Valletta attempted to make the most of a corner opportunity but Monique Sultana’s attempt was also wide. The team had one final opportunity to threaten from a free-kick three minutes from time. The delivery was targeted toward Marcelle de Oliveira Julio but her shot was blocked before Chloe Ellul cleared to safety.
The two coaches made late substitutions with Keith Gouder giving some minutes to Cristina Hili and Federica Zahra, who directly replaced Yolande Attard and Kayleigh Chetcuti. Meanwhile, Kate Paula Muscat made a late appearance instead of Suzanne Farrugia Sacco. She slotted on the wing, pushing Megan La Rosa in attack. Despite this, Valletta were unable to get a goal back for their efforts.
Final Score: Valletta 0 – 3 Hibernians
Next Matches
The victory ensures that Hibernians notch another three points to maintain their presence at the top, while Valletta lose the opportunity to close the distance to the top four.
Hibernians will next prepare themselves for another direct encounter against Mgarr United which will be played on Saturday 18th November at 15:30 in Dingli Ground. Meanwhile, Valletta will look to bounce back against Mtarfa, who they play on Friday 17th November at the Centenary Stadium (20:15).
However, there is still plenty more action to unfold this weekend as Mgarr United welcome San Gwann in their home ground tonight (20:30). Tomorrow’s double-header at Dingli Ground will see Mtarfa battle against Swieqi United (13:00), which will be followed by Lija Athletic against Birkirkara (15:30).
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