by Hibernians ensured their place at the top of the table at the end of the first round with a 8 – 0 victory against Lija Athletic. Joelma Alves Gabriel got things going early on. Leah Ayres, Martina Borg and Alexis Espitia grabbed a brace apiece, while Rodianne Zerafa fired another sublime finish to complete the scoring.
Team Selections
Christiana Pisani remained between the goalposts for Lija Athletic, protected by Milena Stagno, Samira Bouzid, Nell Zarb Cousin and Corine Deguara. Edera Marmara’ and Maria Ibrahim started on the flanks, while Shakira Bugeja, captain Rachel Mifsud and Kylie Pantelleresco started in midfield. Isabel Sanchez was the lone attacker.
Elizabeth Harrington started in goal for Hibernians, behind the trio of Amber Galea, Natalee Geren and Amy Busuttil. There were no changes in midfield, with Chloe Ellul and Yolande Attard continuing to operate on the wings, sandwiching Kayleigh Chetcuti and Nicole Sciberras. Joelma Alves Gabriel and captain Martina Borg flanked Leah Ayres in attack.
How It Unfolded
Hibernians set about their business with early success, getting themselves into the lead within the first six minutes. Chloe Ellul delivered a well-paced cross into the box, finding Joelma Alves Gabriel who side-footed it into the net to break the deadlock.
Despite conceding early, Lija Athletic were focused on maintaining their shape, with plenty of players behind the ball in two lines of defence. Still, Maria Ibrahim was one of the more positive in the match attempting to relieve some pressure after the quarter-hour mark with a forward dart, but easily outmanoeuvred with limited support.
Instead, Hibernians doubled their lead in the 20th minute, courtesy of Leah Ayres. The forward was released with an accurately paced ball behind the defence and showed a cool head to place it into the bottom right corner, just out of reach for Christiana Pisani.
Yolande Attard attempted to make it three just five minutes later. She found good space on the wing, before putting her foot through the ball targeting the near corner, but denied by the post. The Paolites’ Leah Ayres also rebounded an initial effort from Kayleigh Chetcti into the net a few seconds later, but the goal was cancelled by the offside flag.
Things heated up with the Paolites arguing with the officials as the inconsistencies in decisions continued to ramp up in both matches during the day. The attempt to extend the lead was denied from set-pieces with Milena Stagno, Christiana Pisani and Edera Marmara’ all involved in denying further damage. Maria Ibrahim and Edera Marmara’ both attempted to push the side forward, trying to loop in Kylie Pantalleresco whom Jethron Azzopardi released further forward as the half wore on.
However, the Paolites’ defence was untroubled, while the side continued to hum on toward more positive play. Hibernians’ skipper, Martina Borg, made it three just before the half-time whistle. She was most lively to react to a loose ball, bringing it under control before nestling it into the bottom left corner of the net to continue to the trend precise finishing from the side on the afternoon.
Half-Time Score: Lija Athletic 0 – 3 Hibernians
Lija Athletic made a change up top at half-time, bringing on Yanica Zammit instead of Kylie Pantalleresco. The side switched to a more balanced formation, pushing Milena Stagno into midfield alongside Rachel Mifsud, while Corine Deguara and Shakira Bugeja took the full-back duties.
Hibernians looked to pick up where they left off, but the change in shape for Lija Athletic rendered some positive momentum for the latter, who looked more likely to build something. Milena Stagno and Maria Ibrahim combined well, but were unable to get Yanica Zammit behind the defensive line.
However, Kenneth Costantino reacted by injecting more firepower into the match, bringing on Alexis Espitia and Rodianne Zerafa instead of Yolande Attard and Joelma Alves Gabriel respectively.
Rodianne Zerafa made a key contribution shortly after, in setting up the fourth goal for the side. The forward held up play well before releasing an intelligent ball to Martina Borg who continued to make runs on the wing. She crossed into Leah Ayres, who tapped home into the net despite Christiana Pisani getting something on it.
The scorer made way shortly after, along with Amber Galea, with the two replaced by Federica Zahra and Michela Camilleri. The former slotted on the left-wing, unleashing Alexis Espitia in attack, while Camilleri orchestrated in the middle, retreating Nicole Sciberras to the defence. Maya Muscat also made an appearance in goal in replacement of Elizabeth Harrington later on.
Having contributed to the earlier goal, Rodianne Zerafa continued to push for a place in the starting eleven with another banger from outside the box in the 71st minute, to tally with the one scored last week. The number seventy-seven fired from distance, with the ball clipping the far post before going in.
Alexis Espitia made it six with another tap in from close range just four minutes later. The American could have doubled her name on the scoresheet with a side-footed effort to convert a delivery from Martina Borg a few minutes later but was wide the finish. However, she made it pay in the 85th minute with another tap in, this time assisted by Rodianne Zerafa.
The Paolites kept pushing for more, while Lija Athletic made a change in defence, bringing on Kaia Piccinino instead of Samira Bouzid. Kayleigh Chetcuti fired a swerving effort at Christiana Pisani who reacted well enough to palm it for a corner, with Shakira Bugeja making the clearance.
However, Hibernians continued to show their quality, with the final goal coming courtesy of slick first-touch football to open up the space. Alexis Espitia flicked the ball up for Martina Borg who completed the scoring in the 87th minute with another placed effort into the net.
Final Score: Lija Athletic 0 – 8 Hibernians
Next Matches
Hibernians ensure their place at the top of the table at the end of the first round, finishing it off in an unbeaten manner and stringing five consecutive victories. They will take the momentum into the next round, starting it against third-placed Swieqi United, with the latter coming into it on the back of a 1 – 0 victory against Mgarr United earlier in the afternoon. The two will meet at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Friday 18th October at 20:30.
Lija Athletic will have a short turn-around to get themselves ready for the next encounter, where they face Valletta on Thursday (17th) at 20:15, at the Centenary Stadium. The two sides will be fighting to get themselves forward into mid-table.
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