by Hibernians triumphed by 7-2 over Lija Athletic in a match that served up plenty of goalmouth action. Alexis Espitia broke the deadlock, Sarah Urpani grabbed a brace, while Nicole Sciberras, Leah Ayres and Nyorah Celeste completed the tally for Hibernians. Leanne Micallef scored both goals for Lija Athletic, while the team also suffered an own goal.
Team Selections
Lija Athletic’s Jethron Azzopardi prepared a side intended to hold the fort. Christiana Pisani started in goal, protected by a back-five. Sarah Caruana started in the centre of the defence, flanked by Rachel Mifsud and Mariah Schembri. Shakira Bugeja and Katryna Grech protected the exterior widths. Captain Simone Buttigieg continued her stay in midfield alongside Vanessa Honorio Carneiro, with Leanne Micallef and Elisa Xuereb in the wider areas. Edera Marmara’ was the lone attacker.
Meanwhile, Zeeyana Jivraj made a much awaited return from injury in goal for Hibernians. There were no other changes in the line-up with Natalee Geren and Amy Busuttil flanked by Yolande Attard and Chloe Ellul in defence. Captain Martina Borg continued her stay in midfield alongside Nicole Sciberras and Kayleigh Chetcuti. In attack, Alexis Espitia and Sarah Urpani provided the width to Leah Ayres.
Hibernians Open The Scoring
Hibernians settled into an attacking rhythm early on, with Alexis Espitia having the first chance of the match three minutes in. The American was released on the right wing, but her attempt to loop a shot toward the far post curled just out. Espitia was also involved in creating another big chance two minutes later, winning the ball back in the penalty box, before cutting back to Sarah Urpani who made the run into the box. However, the number eight fired over the bar.
However, Lija’s clean sheet came undone just a minute later. The initial shot from Kayleigh Chetcuti was saved by Christiana Pisani, but Alexis Espitia rebounded the loose ball into the net to open the scoring.
Vanessa Honorio Carneiro won a free-kick in her own half ten minutes into the match to relieve some of the relentless pressure. Although the kick was deflected into the path of Elisa Xuereb, Chloe Ellul did well to win a free-kick in return, denying Lija Athletic more forward momentum.
Hibernians almost clinched a penalty kick a few minutes later, but Alexis Espitia was deemed to have been fouled right on the line of the penalty box. Kayleigh Chetcuti worked a short ball into Martina Borg whose strike was headed toward the bottom left corner. However, Christiana Pisani shifted well to make the save.
The Paolites kept piling forward and made it two just into the 32nd minute. Sarah Urpani was released behind the defensive line and struck a low shot. Christiana Pisani will be disappointed to have attempted to hold but instead let slip into the net.
Lija Athletic Find Response Before Hibernians Extend Lead
Despite having momentum against them, Lija Athletic’s Simone Buttigieg and Elisa Xuereb worked the ball well between them, with the latter winning a corner. The delivery was handled by Hibernians’ defence in the box which prompted the referee to point to the spot. Leanne Micallef eyed Zeeyana Jivraj and slotted home into the bottom right of the net to get Lija Athletic back in it in the 36th minute.
Despite this, Lija Athletic’s comeback was thwarted by an unlucky defensive header meant to clear a corner kick, which rebounded off Sarah Caruana and into the net just three minutes later.
Hibernians made sure to shut the door on the comeback in the 41st minute through Nicole Sciberras who placed a delightful long-distance shot into the top left corner to grab the fourth for the team. The goal was led by good play from Sarah Urpani who cut back to Kayleigh Chetcuti, with the number seven finding Nicole Sciberras with a short pass.
Hibernians’ Sarah Urpani made it five just before the break, converting Alexis Espitia’s cross into the roof of the net, in what was one of her final acts of the night.
Half-Time Score: Lija Athletic 1 – 5 Hibernians
Ayres & Celeste Find The Net
Keith Gouder made one substitution at the change of ends, with Nyorah Celeste replacing Sarah Urpani. Lija Athletic started the half quite well with Sarah Caruana doing well to block a cut-back from Alexis Espitia who was looking for Leah Ayres.
Vanessa Honorio Carneiro then won a free-kick on the right wing which gave Lija Athletic an opportunity to put the ball in the box. However, Zeeyana Jivraj punched away before Hibernians cleared for a counter-attack. Despite this, Leah Ayres was thwarted by Katryna Grech who recovered well.
Hibernians responded through Nyorah Celeste who won a free-kick on the left wing. The youngster was picked out by Natalee Geren at the near post, but her flick was read well by Christiana Pisani. At the other end, Edera Marmara’ attempted to link with a team-mate with a cut-back but Hibernians’ midfield was alert to the danger.
Leah Ayres made it six in the 53rd minute, by heading into the right side of the net, converting a cross from Chloe Ellul. The right-back searched to tee up Alexis Espitia just a few minutes later but Sarah Caruana was determined to limit the tally as much as possible.
Although denied earlier on, Nyorah Celeste found the goal to cap off her appearance just over the hour mark. The youngster placed a right boot to send the ball flying into the near left corner, connecting with a pass from Nicole Sciberras close to the edge of the penalty box.
Jethron Azzopardi looked to his bench soon after, bringing on Rohanne Zahra in replacement of Edera Marmara’. Meanwhile, Keith Gouder gave Alexis Espitia and Kayleigh Chetcuti an early rest. They were replaced by Martina Cortis and Federica Zahra respectively. The two got straight into the action in attempt to keep Lija Athletic penned back.
Micallef Grabs The Second For Lija
On their part, Lija Athletic had been getting some connections working but were still not quite managing the correct weighting in the final ball. Despite this, the 70th minute resulted in an opportunity from a free-kick more than thirty yards out. Leanne Micallef made it count, delivering a powerful but accurate shot toward the top left corner. Although Zeeyana Jivraj moved and got something on the shot, the ball bounced into the crossbar and inside the goal, resulting in Lija Athletic’s and Micallef’s second of the night.
Hibernians responded with a routine of their own, as Martina Borg played a short free-kick into Nicole Sciberras who struck from distance. However, Christiana Pisani read the central shot. At the other end, Lija Athletic were still attempting to get Rohanne Zahra on the chase, but Amy Busuttil and Natalee Geren were up to the task.
Shana Farrugia and Etoile Muscat were the next youngsters to make an appearance off the bench for Hibernians. They appeared for the final ten minutes of the match, in direct replacement of Chloe Ellul and Yolande Attard, respectively. The duo did well to keep Lija Athletic’s wingers at bay while also making forward runs in attempt to support the attack.
Meanwhile, Jethron Azzopardi brought on Samira Bouzid who replaced the goalscorer Leanne Micallef for the final few minutes of the match. However, Lija Athletic were unable to cause Hibernians much trouble from a free-kick delivery.
On the other hand, Hibernians’ Martina Borg played a short kick into Natalee Geren who attempted a long-range effort which fizzed just wide of the mark. A final real chance developed just before the ninety, as Borg picked out Nicole Sciberras’ run behind the defensive line. However, she was quickly met by Christiana Pisani who shut the door.
Final Score: Lija Athletic 2 – 7 Hibernians
Standings & International Break
The win means that Hibernians make it five wins in a row, while also ensuring that they stay at the top of the table, two points ahead of Swieqi United. The two promise an exciting encounter as they will meet in their next match on the 8th December at 14:00 at the Centenary Stadium. Meanwhile, Lija Athletic will return against Valletta on the 9th of December at Mgarr Ground (16:30).
However, the teams will first stop for the international break which will see the UEFA Women’s Nations League return. Malta’s selection will be in action against Moldova on the 1st of December (15:00), before playing the final match at the Centenary Stadium, Ta Qali against Latvia on the 5th December (16:00). Tickets for that match may be purchased online.
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