by Hibernians translated sustained pressure into a 7–0 victory over Valletta, with Sylivia Kabene and Yolande Attard leading the scoring as the Paolites capitalised on a series of decisive individual finishes. Shana Farrugia also added her name to the scoresheet, while the match saw debuts for Yasmine Ghenam and Valletta’s Molly Crowe, as Hibernians controlled proceedings throughout to return to winning ways in the final stretch of the league campaign.
Team Selections
Gabriella Grima started in goal for Valletta, behind a back-four of Shakira Bugeja, Ilona Sultana, Sarah Micallef (captain) and Edera’ Marmara. Sarah Fenech and debutant Molly Crowe started on the wings, with Kylie Pantalleresco partnering Carla Giles in midfield. Eliza Csik supported Ines Mohammed further forward.
Maya Cachia returned in goal for Hibernians, behind a heavily shuffled defence consisting of Ileana Farrugia, Georgiana Mifsud, Amber Galea and Yolande Attard. Captain Nicole Sciberras continued to operate alongside Francesca Bartolo, with Suzanne Farrugia Sacco trusted in the number ten position. Kayleigh Chetcuti and Sylivia Kabene started out wide, with Laura Muscat leading the attack.
How It Unfolded
Hibernians returned to league action in commanding fashion, securing a 7–0 victory over Valletta at the Charles Abela Stadium as the Paolites translated sustained territorial dominance into a series of clinical individual finishes.
The Paolites began brightly and were already threatening inside the opening minutes. In the 6th minute Laura Muscat fired straight at Gabriella Grima from close range, while Sylivia Kabene burst into the box moments later but could not control the finish.
Valletta struggled to gain territory as they remained largely confined to their own half, attempting to frustrate Hibernians with a deep defensive block. The Paolites continued probing patiently, with Francesca Bartolo’s diagonal run creating space for a cross that just eluded Muscat at the far post.
A long-range effort from Kayleigh Chetcuti curled narrowly wide in the 26th minute before a lively spell saw chances at both ends. Yolande Attard’s effort was blocked from a corner, while Valletta briefly advanced through a set piece of their own.
Though they had to wait, the breakthrough eventually arrived in the 38th minute, when Sylivia Kabene produced a long-range strike that found the bottom-right corner, giving Hibernians a deserved lead.
The Paolites continued to press for more before the break, with Kabene striking the post from a diagonal effort as Valletta struggled to progress beyond the halfway line.
Their persistence paid off just before half-time when Yolande Attard found space outside the area and fired a low effort into the bottom-left corner to double the advantage.
Half-Time Score: Valletta 0 – 2 Hibernians
Valletta made a change at the interval with Melissa Galea replacing Gabriella Grima, while Hibernians introduced Shana Farrugia for Ileana Farrugia.
The visitors resumed with the same attacking intent. After an early free-kick opportunity from the right failed to produce a finish, Hibernians struck again in the 50th minute. Amber Galea released Sylivia Kabene on the wing, and the forward drove into the box before firing low into the net from a tight angle to make it 3–0.
Kabene remained central to Hibernians’ attacking play and added another five minutes later, cutting in from the right before her cross-shot crept inside the far post.
Valletta attempted to respond through Eliza Csik, whose forward run briefly sparked an attack before the offside flag halted play.
The Citizens made a double substitution shortly after, with Ulani Awal and Somaya Muscat replacing Sarah Fenech and Carla Giles, while Hibernians introduced Lisa Calleja and Nyorah Celeste in place of Suzanne Farrugia Sacco and Laura Muscat.
Hibernians continued to stretch Valletta’s defensive shape and found their fifth goal in the 69th minute when Yolande Attard tapped in at the far post following Amber Galea’s cross.
Further changes followed for the final twenty minutes as Alanah Ghio and debutant Yasmine Ghenam replaced Francesca Bartolo and Sylivia Kabene, but the momentum remained firmly with the visitors.
Just minutes later Shana Farrugia added a sixth, striking from distance to extend the lead.
Valletta produced a rare attacking moment when debutant Molly Crowe combined well with Eliza Csik to win a corner, though the resulting delivery was cleared by the Hibernians defence.
The Paolites continued to threaten from open play and set pieces alike, and Yolande Attard completed her hat-trick in the 83rd minute, her delivery from the right wing drifting all the way into the far corner.
Valletta made their final change with Kristina Zammit replacing Ilona Sultana, while Hibernians continued to test the goal through long-range efforts from Lisa Calleja late on.
Final Score: Valletta 0 – 7 Hibernians
Standings & Next Matches
The result ensures Hibernians return to winning ways in convincing fashion, while Valletta will look to regroup ahead of their remaining fixtures in the closing stages of the campaign.
The Paolites will take their win into the direct confrontation against second-placed Swieqi United at Dingli Ground at 18:00 on Saturday (21st). Valletta will seek to bounce back and close the gap to San Gwann in another direct confrontation taking place at the Charles Abela Stadium on the same day at 19:00.
The weekend continues with a double-clash this evening as Swieqi United take on Birkirkara at Dingli Ground, while new champions Mgarr United meet re-shuffling San Gwann at Charles Abela Stadium. Both matches kick off at 18:00.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Maraya Gauci
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