Hibernians Make Statement Of Intent With Opening Victory Over Swieqi United

The Paolites converted their first three points courtesy of a 2-0 win over Swieqi United. Captain Martina Borg opened the scoring with a long-range effort, before Natalee Geren buried a header from a set-piece under ten minutes later to seal the victory. Both Hibernians’ Joelma Alves Gabriel and Sarah Urpani were denied by the crossbar.

Team Selection

Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino gave his four signings a starting debut on opening night. Elizabeth Harrington started in goal protected by a trio in returnee Jessica Dimech, Natalee Geren and Amy Busuttil. Chloe Ellul and Ileana Farrugia operated as wing-backs, while Nicole Sciberras and Kayleigh Chetcuti orchestrated in the centre of the pitch. Captain Martina Borg led the forward line, flanked by Alexis Espitia and debutant Joelma Alves Gabriel.

Meanwhile, Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma debuted as a head coach with Patricia Araujo in goal, behind a trusted back-line. Rafanny Abache Mendoza started alongside Tammy Falzon, while Jade Schembri and Emma Xuereb protected the widths. Shona Zammit led the team as captain, flanked in midfield by the rising young duo of Michaela Cachia and Ema Micallef. Karima Abdulai led the attack, flanked by Maria Vella and Sarah Urpani, with the latter making her debut for the club.

How It Unfolded

The season kicked off with Hibernians getting the first opportunities to put the ball into the box. However, they could not trouble Patricia Araujo with set-pieces earned in the opening ten minutes. Real danger ensued for the Owls in the eleventh minute as Martina Borg slipped Alexis Espitia behind the defence and into the penalty box. However, Tammy Falzon raced across with an expertly timed tackle to deny her the opportunity for the shot.

The referee Jo-Anna Vassallo was already in hot water with the crowd and players alike before the eighth minute had expired. Swieqi United’s Maria Vella seemingly won the ball from Hibernians’ Joelma Alves Gabriel, before being seemingly fouled by the Brazilian as the Swieqi United youngster attempted to speed forward. However, the free-kick was whistled in Hibernians’ favour following the Brazilian’s mirrored drop to the floor. Despite this, Hibernians’ could not utilise the free-kick to good effect.

Sensing the team retreating, Swieqi United’s coach Dorianne Theuma urged her team to respond to Hibernian’s high-press by pushing up. Emma Xuereb led by example pushing forward, winning the ball in midfield to dive onto the wing. However, the cross was dealt with by the Hibernians defence. Further trouble ensued for the Owls as forward Karima Abdulai looked to be in increasing discomfort, with the injury nullifying her threat on pace for the Paolites’ defence.

Still, Hibernians were the team that managed to fire most warnings, but could not cause too much trouble to Patricia Aruajo. Nicole Sciberras forced a parry with a low shot. Ileana Farrugia was having joy up the left wing, managing a few cut-backs. The best opportunity arrived in the 39th minute as the new Hibernians’ number twenty-five found fellow debutant Joelma Alves Gabriel on the edge of the box. However, her placed effort rattled the crossbar.

Swieqi United attempted to finish with a response working good possession up the left wing, with Sarah Urpani and Shona Zammit combining, before Emma Xuereb was released on the overlap. However, her cross was dealt with by the Paolites’ defence once more.

Half-Time Score: Hibernians 0 – 0 Swieqi United

The two teams emerged back onto the pitch, with intent finding the opening goal. However, Hibernians’ attempt from a free-kick was snuffed out by Patricia Araujo, before Swieqi United’s corner delivery from Ema Micallef was unchallenged.

Hibernians’ threatened from a counter-attack as Martina Borg released Alexis Espitia, who was matched by Rafanny Abache Mendoza on pace, ultimately firing a weak shot into the hands of Patricia Araujo.

However, having had the best opportunities, Hibernians’ finally opened the scoring in the 54th minute. Captain Martina Borg was teed up just outside the box, before side-footing a caressed finish into the top right corner to send her team into the lead and the Hibernians’ faithful on their feet.

The team doubled their lead almost ten minutes later from a set-piece. The referee’s decisions continued to raise more than a few eyebrows as the free-kick was given. Swieqi United’s Rafanny Abache Mendoza vehemently protested following Kayleigh Chetcuti dropping to the floor but nonetheless, the referee, Jo-Anna Vassallo marked the spot.

On their part, Hibernians were ready to make it pay, earning themselves a two-goal cushion. Chloe Ellul pinging a ball across to Natalee Geren who headed into the far corner on the 63rd minute.

The Paolites were not willing to settle and continued driving forward looking for more. Kayleigh Chetcuti continued being bright, driving forward before crossing a low ball toward Alexis Espitia. However, her low effort was saved by Patricia Araujo, before Joelma Alves Gabriel’s follow-shot was skied.

The two coaches looked to their benches as the 70th minute approached. Despite having seemingly gotten some strength back, Karima Abdulai was forced off, replaced by Ilona Abela. She slotted as right-back, pushing Jade Schembri forward. Meanwhile, Yolande Attard came on in a direct swap with Chloe Ellul for Hibernians.

Hibernians fired another warning from a corner delivery where Joelma Alves Gabriel linked with Nicole Sciberras, but Patricia Araujo stayed big to deny the shot at the near post.

On the other hand, Rafanny Abache Mendoza drove forward, finding Emma Xuereb on the wing, and continuing her run into the box. However, the cross was easily dealt with by Hibernians’ defence.

Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino made his second swap, freshening up the attack by bringing on Leah Ayres in replacement of Martina Borg, with Nicole Sciberras taking the captain’s armband. Rodianne Zerafa also made an appearance late in the match, in replacement of Joelma Alves Gabriel.

Natalee Geren was next to spur her team forward with a dart up the left wing, before crossing into the box. However, the flight of the ball was misjudged by the attack, before Tammy Falzon denied Joelma Alves Gabriel the chance for a shot from the scrappings.

As the final minutes drew closer, Swieqi United’s Shona Zammit launched a ball forward toward Sarah Urpani who won a free-kick in a tussle with Jessica Dimech, with the latter sent into the book by the referee. Swieqi United’s new number seven, Sarah Urpani, fired hard and true but was denied a debut goal by the cross-bar. A penalty claim followed from Swieqi United from the resulting corner, but the referee denied any wrongdoing from Hibernians’ side.

The actions drew jeers from both sets of the crowd, with the transfers of the two players involved still fresh at the start of the season. However, Hibernians confirm their intentions and walk away with the first three points in hand.

Final Score: Hibernians 2 – 0 Swieqi United

Next Matches

Although early in the season, the three points will boost Hibernians’ confidence as they set sights on another direct encounter next week. They meet Mgarr United at Dingli Ground (20:30) on Saturday the 31st of August. Meanwhile, Swieqi United will regroup and search for their first points against Valletta in the earlier kick-off (18:00) on the same day and venue.

However, before then, the first matches in the Assikura Women’s League will continue tonight as Valletta take on Lija Athletic at the Centenary Stadium at 20:30. Tomorrow serves up a double-header at Dingli Ground as Birkirkara take on San Gwann (18:00), before Mgarr United meet Mtarfa (20:30).

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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