by Hibernians concluded their calendar year with an 8 – 0 victory against San Gwann last Friday. Alexis Espitia scored five on the night, while Joelma Alves Gabriel grabbed a brace. Substitute Leah Ayres completed the scoring. The Paolites also registered their tenth clean sheet of the season in the match.
Team Selections
San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri stuck to the majority of the starting eleven that faced Swieqi United in mid-week. Justyne Caruana started in goal, protected by the quartet of Kirstie Vella, Jeanelle Falzon, Nanako Kobayashi and Naomi Blundell. Captain Annabelle Rapa returned to the starting eleven, alongside Martina Schembri and Rabab Mhalli. Shania Gheiti led the attack flanked by Hailey Russell and Chaimaa Tourki.
Meanwhile, there was also little rotation from Hibernians, with Elizabeth Harrington starting in goal, protected by the trio of Amber Galea, Natalee Geren and Jessica Dimech. Chloe Ellul and Ileana Farrugia started on the wings, while Kayleigh Chetcuti, Nicole Sciberras and Martina Borg occupied the centre of the pitch. Joelma Alves Gabriel and Alexis Espitia continued their partnership up front.
How It Unfolded
The match kicked off to windy conditions with Hibernians looking to apply early pressure on San Gwann in search of breaking the deadlock. Joelma Alves Gabriel had an early opportunity, but the miscued effort was palmed by Justyne Caruana.
The Paolites kept up the intent to rotate the ball in search of opening up the defence, while unafraid to pull the trigger from distance. On the other hand, San Gwann picked their spot to try to drive forward with little joy.
Hibernians’ pressure paid off on the quarter-hour mark. Joelma Alves Gabriel picked out Alexis Espitia with a cross, who rose to head it into the far left post.
The lead was doubled immediately, with Nicole Sciberras winning the ball on the restart and driving forward. She played a combination with Joelma Alves Gabriel, who fired from the edge of the box into the left corner once more.
Hibernians’ wing-backs almost combined for a third in the 25th minute, with Chloe Ellul driving the cross toward Ileana Farrugia who made the run toward the post. However, Justyne Caruana had her near post covered.
Neither side were able to capitalise on free-kick opportunities, with the wind also continuing to provide an additional challenge for the two.
However, Hibernians extended their lead following the half-hour mark. Nicole Sciberras was once again crucial in winning the ball back in midfield, finding Joelma Alves Gabriel. The Brazilian picked out Alexis Espitia’s unmarked run at the left post, with the American opening up her body to curl it into the far corner.
Joelma Alves Gabriel made it four just two minutes later. She latched onto a poor clearance, bringing the ball under control with a touch at the edge of the box. She slotted it into the left post once more.
Alexis Espitia completed the fifth for Hibernians and her hat-trick in the 37th minute. She rose to head home the cross from Chloe Ellul into the far left post.
Despite having had a tough opening half, San Gwann earned themselves a corner late into it. However, the delivery was dealt with at the near post by Hibernians. Hailey Russell managed to finally wriggle herself free with space for a shot just before the half-time stop, but saw her effort roll just on the wrong side of the post.
Half-Time Score: San Gwann 0 – 5 Hibernians
San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri made a defensive change at the break, bringing on Fatma Al Girbi instead of Shania Gheiti.
Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino made four switches shortly into it. Yolande Attard and Sarah Vella Barberi were deployed on the wing instead of Ileana Farrugia and Chloe Ellul. Kayleigh Chetcuti made way for Amy Busuttil in midfield, while Leah Ayres was thrusted into the attack instead of Joelma Alves Gabriel.
The Paolites continued the match with the intent of extending their lead. Natalee Geren almost managed to sneak Leah Ayres behind the defence shortly into it, but Justyne Caruana swept effectively. The newly deployed wing-backs almost combined, with Yolande Attard picking out Sarah Vella Barberi at the far post. However, the finish was wide.
Despite this, Hibernians found the sixth in the 57th minute. Amber Galea crossed to Sarah Vella Barberi who made the run inside. Her effort was saved, but Leah Ayres followed up with the rebound to get her name on the scoresheet shortly into her appearance.
San Gwann earned themselves an opportunity from a free-kick following the hour mark. Fatma Al Girbi lined up the effort from distance. However, Elizabeth Harrington was equal to the central shot. Hailey Russell worked the goalkeeper with a curled effort shortly after, with Harrington helping it over the crossbar. However, San Gwann could not cause trouble from the resulting corner.
On their part, Hibernians gave little respite with the substitutes putting their shift into the match in search of making their mark. Justyne Caruana was kept busy but ultimately beaten once more in the 73rd minute with a curled effort from the edge of the box. Leah Ayres laid it for Espitia, who fired the effort with precision into the corner.
Final changes were made by both coaches late into the match. Kirsty Paris made an appearance instead of Kirstie Vella for San Gwann. Maya Muscat was also substituted in goal for Hibernians, replacing Elizabeth Harrington.
Hibernians concluded proceedings with another goal by Alexis Espitia. Amber Galea picked out Sarah Vella Barberi on the wing, who released Leah Ayres out wide. She sped to the byline before crossing to Alexis Espitia who back-heeled it home.
Final Score: San Gwann 0 – 8 Hibernians
Standings & Next Matches
Hibernians ensure the three points to maintain their place in second, just one point below leaders Swieqi United who lead with 31 points, following their own victory over Mtarfa on Saturday. San Gwann remain fifth place, with 13 points.
The two teams are expected to return for the final match of round two, with Hibernians facing Lija Athletic, while San Gwann will prepare for the encounter against Valletta. The Assikura Women’s League is expected to return in January 2025, but the exact fixtures are yet to be announced by the Malta Football Association.
Lead Image: Hibernians FC Women
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