by Hibernians secured the three points with a 10 – 0 victory over Mtarfa. Joelma Alves Gabriel grabbed four on the night to open her account with the Paolites, while Nicole Sciberras chipped in with a brace. Leah Ayres, Jessica Dimech, Amy Busuttil and Natalee Geren completed the scoring.
Team Selections
Elizabeth Harrington continued her stay in goal for Hibernians. There was one change in defence, with Amber Galea coming into the first eleven, alongside Natalee Geren and Jessica Dimech. Yolande Attard and Ileana Farrugia started on the wings. Nicole Sciberras captained the side and continued partnering Kayleigh Chetcuti in midfield. Joelma Alves Gabriel operated further forward, alongside Alexis Espitia and Leah Ayres in attack.
Meanwhile, Mtarfa’s captain Dorienne Grech started in goal. Claire Versteegh debuted as a left-back, while Maria Abdilla continued to operate on the right. Rebecca Zammit partnered Paula Ciappara in the heart of defence. Ruth Micallef made a start alongside Eliza Csik in midfield, while Estelle Borg and Jasmine Camilleri occupied the wings. Katie Gribbon partnered debutant Danna Fuentes Alvarez in attack.
How It Unfolded
Hibernians’ were quick to get off their mark as Jessica Dimech launched a ball to release Joelma Alves Gabriel behind the defence, catching them cold. The Brazilian chipped Dorienne Grech from inside the penalty box to open the scoring within the first two minutes.
However, the quick start worked against the Paolites who commanded possession, but were wasteful in the final third. The side peppered crosses into the box, before several decided to fire from distance, but wayward with the strikes. It resulted in a struggle for the team to add to their tally until the latter portions of the first half.
Joelma Alves Gabriel created one of the major opportunities in the 18th minute, by playing a well-weighted pass with the outside of the foot to lay it on a plate for Leah Ayres inside the box. However, the forward was too casual with the finish, pulling it wide.
On the other hand, Mtarfa were dealt a blow as Maria Abdilla had to be substituted off in the 21st minute due to injury. Angele Fenech slotted in her place in defence.
The Paolites’ defence and midfield were keen in rotating play, with Nicole Sciberras and Kayleigh Chetcuti funneling play with ease. However, once the ball went toward the box, it appeared the Paolites were shooting for the birds from all angles.
Through the sea of opportunities, the side did hit the woodwork more than once. Joelma Alves Gabriel looked to be enjoying things, playing a game of keepy-uppies to rotate away from her marker. However, she struck the post with her shot as she tried to find the far post from inside the box.
Kayleigh Chetcuti was next to rattle the crossbar in the 35th minute. Hibernians’ number seven was hard at work in midfield, before making a run into the box which was well picked out by Alexis Espitia. However, the shot struck the woodwork, before Nicole Sciberras second effort sailed over the bar.
Kenneth Costantino was in full voice as the half-time approached, enraged by the nonchalant manner shown by his team, who for all the possession had not managed to convert any further.
However, the side found the second goal in the 44th minute. Ileana Farrugia was clattered into by Angele Fenech just outside the box, which set up a dangerous opportunity for the Paolites. Joelma Alves Gabriel curled the effort into the near post to make it two for herself and for Hibernians.
Half-Time Score: Hibernians 2 – 0 Mtarfa
Mtarfa’s Gaetano Papaleo made a double switch at the break, handing a debut to Clara Westerlund in attack, replacing Katie Gribbon, while Saleisha Ghigo took to the field on the right wing. Ruth Micallef gave way, with Jasmine Camilleri moving into midfield.
Rebecca Zammit put in a major block on the restart to deny Nicole Sciberras from close range. Hibernians were keen on making the pressure pay, looking to play shorter passes around the box in search of adding to their tally.
Natalee Geren and Alexis Espitia played a good combination, before Geren whipped in a cross toward Joelma Alves Gabriel who just couldn’t get the finishing touch on the stretch. The side developed another good opportunity in the 57th minute with Jessica Dimech launching a ball into Joelma Alves Gabriel who chested it down for Kayleigh Chetcuti to take it into her stride. Leah Ayres fired goalward, but Dorienne Grech reacted well to keep her out.
Kenneth Costantino made his first swap a double, taking off Kayleigh Chetcuti and Yolande Attard, while bringing on Amy Busuttil and Chloe Ellul. Busuttil slotted in defence, enabling Natalee Geren to push into midfield, while Ellul swapped into Attard’s position.
Geren’s move into midfield paid dividends immediately, with the American making a run behind the defence before playing a square pass to Nicole Sciberras. Hibernians’ skipper on the night made no mistake from close range to put the team three up.
It opened the floodgates with Leah Ayres finding the fourth in the 63rd minute, finishing off a cross from Alexis Espitia. Joelma Alves made it a hat-trick on the night just three minutes later, firing a rebound into an empty net after Dorienne Grech had saved the initial effort. The attack was masterfully created by a well-disguised pass from Nicole Sciberras, opening up the defence.
Jessica Dimech made it six on the night to grab her first goal in Hibernians’ colours since her return and it was a goal to remember. The Paolites’ new number five fired a dipping shot from distance that lasered into the bottom right corner in the 69th minute.
Amy Busuttil joined in on the action with another long-range effort that snuck into the top right corner from the left side this time. Her goal made it seven in the 71st minute.
Mtarfa’s Gaetano Papaleo opted to bring on Kerrie Ciappara in midfield, replacing Jasmine Camilleri. Despite having the game by the scruff of the neck, Hibernians’ looked to add more to their tally, with Mtarfa increasingly retreating into their own box. Natalee Geren talked herself into a booking, with the officials not taking any challenges for their decisions.
Hibernians wrapped up the victory with three more goals in the final ten minutes. Joelma Alves Gabriel grabbed the eighth in the 80th minute, heading home from Alexis Espitia’s delivery.
Natalee Geren fired the ninth in the five minutes later, wrapping a boot to curl it into the far right corner, despite Dorienne Grech getting something on it. Nicole Sciberras put the score into double digits in injury time, by rebounding home after Jessica Dimech’s initial header was blocked by the Mtarfa defence.
Maya Muscat also made a late appearance in replacement of Elizabeth Harrington in goal for Hibernians.
Final Score: Hibernians 10 – 0 Mtarfa
Next Matches
Hibernians ensure that they stay ahead of the curve with a confident scoreline at the end of the ninety minutes. The side will return against Valletta on Saturday 21st September at 19:30 at Dingli Ground.
On the other hand, Mtarfa continued to find the going tough. The team will look to spring a forward drive against Lija Athletic, whom they will meet on Friday 20th September at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
However, until then there is more to unfold. Tonight presents the first battle between last seasons’ top contenders, as defending champions Birkirkara take on Swieqi United at the Charles Abela Stadium at 20:30. Tomorrow presents a double header at Dingli Ground as San Gwann take on Lija Athletic at 18:00, before Valletta meet Mgarr United at 20:30.
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