Hibernians Earn First Victory Under Costantino

Hibernians earned a 1-0 victory over Mgarr United to extend the gap to fourth, while continuing the chase toward the top two. Alexis Espitia headed home Martina Borg’s cross for the goal, while the defence enjoyed their first clean sheet of the season against Mgarr United.

Team Selections

Mgarr United’s Patricia Ebejer was protected by unchanged back-four, with Anastasia Sivolobova and Abigail Camilleri providing the width to Leanne Cefai and Chantelle Grech. Captain Maia Debono continued operating in front of the defence alongside Luana Cabral, while Brenda Borg was the most advanced. Rebecca Bajada and Yulya Carella occupied the wings, while Fernanda Peinado was the lone attacker.

Meanwhile, Zeeyana Jivraj continued operating behind the back-four of Chloe Ellul, Amy Busuttil, Natalee Geren and Kiley Norkus. Nicole Sciberras returned to the starting eleven alongside Kayleigh Chetcuti, while captain Martina Borg occupied the number ten role. Sarah Urpani and Alexis Espitia provided the width to Leah Ayres in attack.

Hibernians Get Purchase On Attacks

The Paolites started the match with the strongest attacking intensity. However, were unable to make a number of corners pay in the opening ten minutes. In fact their first good chance came from open play in the fourth minute, as Martina Borg released Leah Ayres behind the defence. The striker tried to place a low shot into the far left corner but it rolled just on the wrong side of the post.

Mgarr United made their first real venture forward in the tenth minute, with Fernanda Peinado getting the better of her marker but delivering a weak shot which Zeeyana Jivraj was untroubled by.

The Greens settled into their counter attacking stance and looked to be creating something fruitful just over the quarter-hour mark. Yulya Carella burst forward before releasing Fernanda Peinado wide. However, the Brazilian complicated matters on the dribble which opened the door for Chloe Ellul to recover possession.

Meanwhile, Hibernians continued commanding chances. Nicole Sciberras tried an effort from distance but Chantelle Grech made the block. Shortly after, it was Martina Borg who dove down the right side and delivered a perfectly weighted low cross which begged for a touch to find the back of the net, but no one obliged.

The game continued to take life with more end to end action. Hibernians sprang what looked to be a devastating counter with Martina Borg attempting to find Leah Ayres’ burst behind the defence, but instead opting for Sarah Urpani after the forward had run offside. However, Mgarr United recovered possession before surging forward towards the other end. Brenda Borg opted for the shot which was blocked, despite having Fernanda Peinado out wide, with neither team able to capitalise on the open space.

Things continued to heat up between Rebecca Bajada and Kiley Norkus, with the American landing herself in the book just before the half-hour mark. However, Mgarr could not utilise the set-piece to their advantage.

At the other end, Hibernians’ Leah Ayres was tame with a long-range effort. Shortly after, the Paolites created even more with Alexis Espitia cutting back to Martina Borg who laid it to Sarah Urpani. However, the number eight’s shot lacked the necessary curl to find the far right corner, instead sending it wide.

However, Hibernians were duly rewarded in the 41st minute for a creative routine. A quickly taken free-kick was spread wide to Martina Borg at the byline. The skipper crossed into Alexis Espitia who headed into the far left corner to open the scoring.

The Hibernians’ defence almost undid all their work with a bizarre back-header just three-minutes later, which luckily for them struck the post before Hibernians’ cleared. Meanwhile, things appeared to unravel for Mgarr with Maia Debono going into the book just before half-time, while Luana Cabral and Kayleigh Chetcuti were continuing the ongoing battle in midfield until the whistle.

Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 0 – 1 Hibernians

Mgarr Unable To Recover, Hibs Unable To Extend

Hibernians looked to pick their spots to try to double the lead, without looking to force play too much. Mgarr United almost doubled their own demise with a poor clearance which Alexis Espitia fired low. However, Patricia Ebejer reacted well to make the save and keep her team in it.

The Greens’ Luana Cabral tried to launch the ball forward for her compatriot Fernanda Peinado to chase, but Natalee Geren was exactly in the right place once more to force the Brazilian back, allowing Amy Busuttil to recover possession. The Greens looked to create more with Brenda Borg linking with Rebecca Bajada out wide. The number twenty-two delivered a first-time cross into Fernanda Peinado who brought it under control but the laced effort swerved wide.

Despite having some forward momentum, Mgarr United created further trouble for themselves with a dip in concentration at the back close to the hour mark. Kayleigh Chetcuti was handed back possession and fired a low shot which Patricia Ebejer got a hand on just in time. Leanne Cefai put distance into the clearance from the resulting corner.

Hibernians looked to capitalise on the momentary lapse. Alexis Espitia flashed a low cross but Leah Ayres arrived just late enough, before Sarah Urpani’s effort was cleared in the goal-mouth by Abigail Camilleri. Martina Borg was sent down the right wing shortly after by Chloe Ellul. The skipper’s change in direction sat down her marker but Mgarr United recovered possession following the cut-back.

Mgarr United’s Brenda Borg responded by firing a long-range effort which was deflected into a change in direction but Zeeyana Jivraj shifted well. Yulya Carella followed suit with another long-range effort which the Canadian collected. The Greens’ skipper Maia Debono also attempted release Fernanda Peinado behind, but Natalee Geren won the footrace once more.

Kenneth Costantino brought on Yolande Attard instead of Sarah Urpani with 15 minutes to go, while Mgarr United continued to try to grind out a real chance. The final few moments of normal time approached with Mgarr United still seeking out a point from the match. A real opportunity developed as Hibernians’ Zeeyana Jivraj was caught out of the box, with Brenda Borg beating her on the dribble but in doing so taking herself further wide. Despite the gaping net, Borg played the percentage game in opting to try to loop in Luana Cabral who made the run into the box, but could not get the touch in time.

Nyorah Celeste was brought onto the pitch instead of Leah Ayres in the final throes of the match. Fresh on pace, the youngster sparked a real attack on the width before cutting back to Kayleigh Chetcuti for the shot. However, she pulled the effort wide from the tight angle.

Meanwhile, Mgarr United appeared to be forced into their only substitution with Rebecca Bajada being taken off and replaced by Kelly Agius Pace. The team went into an all-out attack approach in search of grabbing a point during the five minutes of added time. However, could not make the pressure, including from two free-kicks from midfield, pay dividends.

Final Score: Mgarr United 0 – 1 Hibernians

Standings & Next Matches

Hibernians earn their first victory in Kenneth Costantino’s second match in charge. They extend the gap to the Greens to nine points, while crucially closing that to Swieqi United in second to two points.

The team will seek their first win against leaders Birkirkara next Saturday (3rd February) at Mgarr Ground at 16:30. Meanwhile, Mgarr United will aim to turn positives into points against Swieqi United in the earlier kick-off (14:00) that afternoon.

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