by Hibernians secured their first win of the calendar year, overcoming Valletta by 7 – 1. Valletta struck early through Ines Mohammed, but the Paolites regained equal footing through Natalee Geren from the spot. A brace by Nicole Sciberras, Sylivia Kabene, as well as a goal by Olivia Nazarko put the win beyond doubt. An own goal was also scored, while Amy Catania & Yolande Attard also struck the crossbar.
Team Selections
There was a change between the posts for Hibernians, with Maya Muscat holding the last line of the defence. Amy Catania returned alongside Natalee Geren and Georgiana Mifsud in defence, with Cali Schechinger and Yolande Attard given the license to venture forward on the wings. Captain Nicole Sciberras led things from midfield, flanked by Francesca Bartolo and Ileana Farrugia. Sylivia Kabene partnered Lisa Calleja in attack.
Meanwhile, Dorienne Grech held the place in goal for Valletta. Carla Giles started in a back-five with Ilona Sultana and Kristina Zammit, flanked by Edera Marmara’ and Lorna-Maria Cassar. Captain Joelma Alves Gabriel started in midfield with Eliza Csik and Ulani Belkis. Daisy Reino partnered Ines Mohammed in attack.
How It Unfolded
The Valletta team showed a clear response to the words of their coach Anton Cremona, with the positive encouragement toward avoiding early conceded goals successfully flipped into an early goal of their own.
The Citizens gave Hibernians no chance to get their bearings, with Joelma Alves Gabriel immediately picking the off-the-shoulder run of Ines Mohammed. She placed it into the bottom nearer left post, giving Valletta something to defend inside the opening minute of the match.
Without fail, the referee was marching down to the touchline inside the fifth minute to ask for a replacement of the match ball due to insufficient pressure.
Despite having the most undesired start to the match, Hibernians sought to gain control of possession and get themselves back on level terms. However, the Citizens were showing clear signs of intent of an organised counter-attack, with four players charging up. Joelma Alves Gabriel found Ines Mohammed once more. This time the forward sought to link up with Daisy Reino, but the cut-back was just behind the Brazilian’s run.
There was no room for error at the other end, with Sylivia Kabene’s agile feet causing trouble, forcing the official to point to the spot as the Ugandan was fouled in the box. Natalee Geren showed a composed finish, straight down the middle to get Hibernians on level terms in the 14th minute.
Further misgivings in the venue caused raised alarms as Ines Mohammed clattered off the pitch and straight into one of the many goals rested on the sides of the pitch. Fortunately for Valletta, the forward was fit enough to continue after treatment.
The Paolites had started to recycle the ball effectively, with Nicole Sciberras sending the team in front in the 21st minute. The skipper reacted well to caress a side-footed effort into the bottom left corner.
Valletta were still seeking the long-ball, with Eliza Csik keen on joining the attack. However, they were finding Maya Muscat ready to clear her lines. At the other end, pressure mounted for the Citizens with an off-the-line clearance from a corner delivery. Yolande Attard and Cali Schechinger were both continuing to venture forward, seeking to deliver crosses into the box.
Sylivia Kabene made it three in the 34th minute, latching onto a long-ball, dribbling the goalkeeper and placing it into the open net. Despite looking for the fourth, things took a turn for the Paolites with Natalee Geren forced off the pitch just before half-time, with the side walking away without any free-kick.
Half-Time Score Hibernians 3 – 1 Valletta
Amber Galea replaced Natalee Geren in defence, with Olivia Nazarko joining the mix in midfield instead of Francesca Bartolo. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco replaced Ileana Farrugia, with Lisa Calleja making way for Nyorah Celeste up front. The switches were accompanied by a change to a back-four with the Paolites pushing forward to put the result beyond doubt.
Meanwhile, Somaya Muscat replaced Daisy Reino up front for Valletta, while Aaliyah Bonnici Carbonaro swapped with Kristina Zammit in defence.
Valletta were still positive in utilising quick breaks, with Eliza Csik also keen on applying pressure on the Paolites’ defence effectively. She was successful early on, but the Hungarian’s strike was blocked well by Maya Muscat, before Olivia Nazarko cleared.
The Paolites were denied a goal by the offside flag as Yolande Attard struck from distance, with Sylivia Kabene keen on applying the rebound only to be ruled offside. Amy Catania was next to be teased by the crossbar, with a powerful long-range effort rattling it shortly after.
However, the Paolites widened their lead following the hour mark. A cross was deflected by a header into the net to make it four. Nicole Sciberras tapped home the fifth in the 69th minute, converting the cross from Yolande Attard.
Valletta were still pushing in search of finding a second goal for themselves, Ines Mohammed was released twice, but finding Maya Muscat ready on one occasion and denied by the flag on the second.
Further changes ensued, with Shana Farrugia replacing Cali Schechinger for Hibernians, while Sarah Fenech and Gabriella Grima made appearances for Valletta instead of Ulani Belkis and Dorienne Grech.
Yolande Attard was another to be teased by the crossbar, with an effort from the wing clipping it. However, Hibernians extended further with Olivia Nazarko firing the left-footed rebound into the top far corner from inside the box in the 81st minute.
Sylivia Kabene completed the scoring two minutes later, dribbling the ball away from the goalkeeper, before cutting onto her left foot and placing it into the near post.
Final Score: Hibernians 7 – 1 Valletta
Standings & Next Matches
Hibernians keep pressure on Swieqi United with the two facing each other on Friday at the Victor Tedesco Stadium at 20:30. Valletta will seek to build on positive signs shown against the Paolites as they prepare for their own direct confrontation against San Gwann. The two will meet on Thursday at the Centenary Stadium (20:15).
The final match of the weekend will be played tonight as league leaders Mgarr United face San Gwann at 18:00 at Dingli Ground.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: RPC Photo MT
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