by Hibernians secured a 3 – 0 victory against San Gwann to return to winning ways, courtesy of a hat-trick by Sylivia Kabene on her debut. The Paolites created plenty, with the side also denied by the post on three occasions, while keeping the San Gwann forward line subdued.
Team Selection
Maya Cachia continued to guard Hibernians’ goal. Natalee Geren started alongside Amber Galea in defence, with Georgiana Mifsud and Cali Schechinger occupying the flanks. Francesca Bartolo started in midfield alongside captain Nicole Sciberras. Leah Ayres and Lisa Calleja started on the flanks, with Ileana Farrugia supporting debuting forward, Sylivia Kabene.
Meanwhile, Justyne Caruana started in goal for San Gwann behind a trio of Kirstie Vella, Lisa Vella and Naomi Blundell. Kirsty Paris and Naila Addo operated on the flanks. Captain Annabelle Rapa protected the defence alongside Fatma Al Girbi. Rabab Mhalli and Morena Fanega supported Hailey Russell in attack.
How It Unfolded
Hibernians picked up possession ready to find a disciplined San Gwann side aimed to frustrate and hurt on the counter. Lisa Calleja sent a real gasp in the stands with a left-footed volley that travelled dangerously but found Justyne Caruana ready to palm.
San Gwann continued to be defiant against successive corners from Hibernians, with the side finally earning the opportunity to fire a free-kick of their own in the 10th minute. Morena Fanega attempted to curl it from just outside the right side of the box toward the top far left corner. However, the effort dipped just behind the post.
Unable to get purchase in the box, Martina Borg swapped her forward, with Sylivia Kabene taking to the wing while Leah Ayres shifted to the centre of the attack.
Hibernians were having joy on the left wing, but struggled to find space for the shot from close range, with San Gwann’s defence continuing to be solid. Sylivia Kabene managed to find the space in the 26th minute, but Justyne Caruana reacted well to make the save. The Ugandan forward was on her bike on the wing on the half-hour mark, darting inside. However, the effort aimed for the far corner clipped the post, with Lisa Vella making the block on the rebound.
Having soaked so much pressure, San Gwann responded with an effort from Morena Fanega. The Argentinian fired from distance aimed at the far post, but Maya Cachia shuffled her feet well to make the save before collecting.
Hibernians’ defence saw away a corner kick, before Sylivia Kabene was released on the counter attack for another opportunity to break the deadlock. She squared it to Leah Ayres who was free in support in the box. However, the forward lifted the shot straight into Justyne Caruana who was quick off her line to close down in the box.
However, the Paolites’ industry and patience was rewarded in the 38th minute, with Sylivia Kabene finally released behind and having enough time to freely place the shot into the far right of the net.
The Paolites almost doubled the score immediately, with Lisa Calleja found on the wing in space once more. She drove toward goal but the effort was another to skim wide of the far post.
Half-Time Score: Hibernians 1 – 0 San Gwann
Fresh faces appeared at the change of ends. Jessica Dimech and Yolande Attard took their place in Hibernians’ defence, with Natalee Geren retreating alongside them and Georgiana Mifsud. Amber Galea and Francesca Bartolo made way. Sarah Vella Barberi also replaced Leah Ayres in attack.
Meanwhile, Sabrin Blihi replaced Fatma Al Girbi for San Gwann, while Rodianne Zerafa took to the pitch spearheading the attack, replacing Naila Addo. San Gwann were forced into another change ten minutes into it, with Rabab Mhalli taking a knock. Alicia Mifsud took to the pitch in her stead.
Hibernians kicked off with the same interest in extending the score. They had a goal cancelled due to a foul on Justyne Caruana in the lead up to the goal close to the hour mark.
Continuing to pepper the goal, the post denied Lisa Calleja from distance once more following the hour mark, in what would have otherwise been a contestant for goal of the season.
However, the side were rewarded in the 66th minute with Sylivia Kabene allowed to turn and fire into the roof of the net from close to the byline.
The chances continued to pile for Hibernians, with the effort to widen the pitch utilised well to create. However, San Gwann continued to load the box with bodies, with Kirstie Vella and Naomi Blundell continuing to be stalwarts in limiting the score. Despite this, the pressure kept mounting on the Yellows with the attack largely static in holding on to the ball to create something.
Changes ensued from both teams with Shana Farrugia and Olivia Nazarko appearing for Hibernians, while Nicole Sciberras and Ileana Farrugia gave way. Kirsty Paris was also replaced by Martina Vassallo for San Gwann.
Despite having little to show up top, San Gwann managed an opening with Rodianne Zerafa pulling the trigger from distance, though Maya Cachia was well positioned to collect. Alicia Mifsud also made a positive dart to inject some forward belief, linking with Zerafa. However, Jessica Dimech was sure to dispossess before the forward had the chance to make an attempt. Hailey Russell’s desire to find the space for a shot was also effectively closed down by the Paolites’ defence.
Hibernians closed the score in the 86th minute, with Sylivia Kabene showing quick feet to open the space for the shot before placing it into the top right corner of the net.
Though in the lead and on course for the win, the Paolites continued their creation. Sarah Vella Barberi was also adventorous to take on players and fire, though finding Sabrin Blihi ready for the block.
Lisa Calleja also delivered a well driven cross onto the head of Sylivia Kabene, but the Ugandan didn’t get the right connection to drive it goalward.
The crossbar continued to tease the Paolites, with Shana Farrugia also denied a spectacular finish late on.
Final Score: Hibernians 3 – 0 San Gwann
Standings & Next Matches
Hibernians return to winning form to ensure they maintain their noses ahead of Birkirkara by three points and level with Swieqi United. Hibernians and Birkirkara will meet in their next Assikura Women’s League fixture, on Thursday 16th October at the Centenary Stadium at 20:15. San Gwann return to league action against Swieqi United, on the 17th at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30).
The Assikura Women’s League will be on hiatus next week to make way for the initiation of the Malta FA Jubilee Cup, a competition created in honour of the Association’s 125th Anniversary. The knock-out preliminary round will feature Swieqi United against Valletta on Friday at 20:30 and Birkirkara against San Gwann at 19:00 on Saturday. Both matches will be played at the Centenary Stadium.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Francesca Vella
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