by Hibernians captured a comfortable 3 – 0 victory against Valletta to continue on their forward trajectory. Ileana Farrugia opened the scoring with her first goal in the new colours, before Joelma Alves Gabriel delivered a brace to seal the victory. Hibernians’ Jessica Dimech and Leah Ayres, as well as Valletta’s Anna Aloisio, were also denied by the woodwork.
Team Selections
Hibernians’ Elizabeth Harrington retained her place in goal. There was one change in the back line with Amy Busuttil returning to the starting eleven alongside Natalee Geren and Jessica Dimech. Chloe Ellul also made the start on the right wing, while Ileana Farrugia retained her place on the left. Nicole Sciberras captained the side and continued her partnership with Kayleigh Chetcuti in midfield. Leah Ayres led the attack, flanked by Joelma Alves Gabriel and Alexis Espitia.
Gabriella Grima made her senior debut with Valletta between the sticks. There were no changes in defence from the team that shut the door against Mgarr United, with Sabrin Blihi continuing to stand between Eduarda Martins Souza and Eunice Micallef, while Lisa Vella and captain Anna Aloisio started on the wings. Ylenia Grech orchestrated in midfield alongside Monique Sultana and Suzanne Farrugia Sacco. Marcelle de Oliveira Julio supported Laura Muscat in attack.
How It Unfolded
The game kicked off with both sides looking to exploit spaces behind the defence. Valletta were keen to sneak Marcelle de Oliveira Julio on the chase, before Hibernians responded through Chloe Ellul who crossed toward Leah Ayres but the finish lacked venom.
Despite this, Hibernians started to slowly edge more control over possession but as the quarter hour mark ensued, there was little to shout for in terms of real goal-mouth action. Valletta attempted to create something from two midfield free-kick deliveries from Sabrin Blihi. However, Hibernians’ were first to the ball on both accounts.
The Paolites honed in on getting themselves into the lead as the twenty minute mark approached. Alexis Espitia drove forward, before opening wide to Chloe Ellul on the wing. She crossed to Joelma Alves Gabriel who earned the side the first of successive corners. Jessica Dimech almost opened the score on one account, but her strike bounced off the crossbar.
The incident sparked more intention into things, but the Paolites had to be patient to break the deadlock. Ultimately, their effort was rewarded in the 34th minute with Ileana Farrugia darting forward on the left wing, before cutting on her right foot for the shot, sending the team into the lead and in doing so grabbing her first goals in the new colours. The effort took a heavy deflection to find the back of the net.
Ylenia Grech attempted to get Valletta back into it with an immediate response. However, her long-range effort flew over the bar. Still, the Citizens deployed the offside trap to good effect against the Paolites, while Kenneth Costantino was urging his side to be patient against the disciplined defence.
Half-Time Score: Hibernians 1 – 0 Valletta
Hibernians kicked off the second half in the best possible way, doubling the lead inside the first three minutes, courtesy of a back-heeled finish from Joelma Alves Gabriel. The Brazilian course-corrected to connect with a low curled delivery from the right wing.
Jean Lopes looked to his bench for the first time on the hour mark, making a change in attack, bringing on Sarah Fenech in replacement of Laura Muscat.
The Paolites continued with their patient approach, and where denied by the woodwork once more shortly after. Joelma Alves Gabriel tip-toed past three players, before curling a ground pass to Leah Ayres. However, she pulled the finish into the near post.
Despite this, Joelma Alves Gabriel delivered the third just a minute later. She darted forward on the right side once more, before cutting to her left and curling into the far corner.
Hiberians’ Kenneth Costantino made a double change in the 65th minute. Yolande Attard replaced Ileana Farrugia, while Rodianne Zerafa swapped with Leah Ayres. Jean Lopes also brought off Suzanne Farrugia Sacco, who was replaced by Sara Bonello Ghio. She slotted on the right wing, pushing Lisa Vella to the left, while unleashing Anna Aloisio in attack.
The Valletta captain came closest to getting the Citizens on the score sheet minutes later. Sabrin Blihi delivered a free-kick from the final third, onto the head of Anna Aloisio, who rose well but saw her looped header strike the crossbar.
Marcelle de Oliveira Julio was still trying to work a way to release her team forward from open play, but an attempted dink found Amy Busuttil ready to close the door and send Hibernians back on the march. The Brazilian gave way to Hannah Grima shortly after, with the latter also making her senior debut.
Meanwhile, Hibernians’ made a triple switch. Michela Camilleri made her first return to the pitch, replacing Kayleigh Chetcuti in midfield, while captain Martina Borg gave Alexis Espitia an early rest. Amber Galea replaced Natalee Geren in the heart of the defence.
Chloe Ellul continued having joy on the right wing, pinging crosses into the box. Fresh off the bench Martina Borg was also keen in diving forward in search of creating more for the Paolites, before Nicole Sciberras earned the side a corner with a intelligent dart into the box. However, Sabrin Blihi made two clearances to fend off the attacks.
Valletta had one last forward attempt, working the ball well on the left wing with Lisa Vella combining with Ylenia Grech. Valletta’s number ten attempted to release Anna Aloisio, but Amber Galea covered off the run well for Elizabeth Harrington to make the clearance.
Hibernians had one final opportunity from a free-kick. Joelma Alves Gabriel attempted to complete the hat-trick by targeting the near post, but Gabriella Grima shuffled well to collect.
Final Score: Hibernians 3 – 0 Valletta
Next Matches
Hibernians take their tally to ten points, equalling Birkirkara at the top of the table, following the latter’s goalless draw against Mgarr United earlier in the day. The two leaders will meet each other on Friday 27th at 20:30. The game is penned in to be played at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, but confirmation is subject to the finishing of ongoing works.
Meanwhile, Valletta will be disappointed to not have earned more from the encounter, but will look to bounce back against Mtarfa on Saturday (28th) at Dingli Ground, at 17:00.
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