by Hibernians secured a 4 – 1 victory against Birkirkara yesterday evening to head to the international break with a six point lead over the Stripes. Kayleigh Chetcuti got the side going, with Sylivia Kabene delivering a brace to nudge the team on. A Birkirkara own goal was forced by Natalee Geren, but the Stripes got themselves on the scoresheet through a late goal by Stephania Farrugia.
Team Selections
Julia Zarb made her first senior start in Birkirkara colours behind a defence consisting of Selina Anima, captain Stephania Farrugia and Izabella Camilleri. Haruhi Sekura and Lara May Azzopardi operated as wing-backs. Amy Busuttil anchored the midfield, behind Ylenia Grech and Gabriella Zahra. Mariah Cardona operated with Momo Ueda in attack.
Maya Cachia continued her stay in goal for Hibernians, with a back four consisting of Yolande Attard, Georgiana Mifsud, Jessica Dimech and Calista Schechinger. Natalee Geren and captain Nicole Sciberras continued their stay in midfield. Misozi Zulu debuted behind Sylivia Kabene in attack, with Nyorah Celeste and Kayleigh Chetcuti occupying the wing.
How It Unfolded
The matched kicked off with a keen intensity from both sides. Izabella Camilleri gave Misozi Zulu an early introduction with the Zambian scooped up in an early challenge.
The Stripes earned an early opportunity with Momo Ueda taking hold of the ball in the box, but seeing her effort fly over the far top corner from the side of the box.
The Japanese forward had an even clearer opportunity just before the tenth minute with Amy Busuttil playing her behind with a perfectly weighted straight through ball between the defence. However, the chance ebbed as she pulled herself wide opting to dribble Maya Cachia instead of taking the shot.
Hibernians responded to inflict maximum damage on the quarter-hour mark. On the front foot in attacking a corner, Kayleigh Chetcuti put her foot through an initial clearance to land a moon-ball into the back of the net.
Withstanding more pressure from Birkirkara from corners, the Paolites doubled their lead in the 23rd minute with clinical counter-attack. Sylivia Kabene latched onto the ball in midfield, with the Ugandan dribbling the last two before taking on Julia Zarb. Facing hesitant commitment from the goalkeeper, Kabene pushed forward before dribbling around Zarb and placing a low effort into the empty net.
Two down despite having mounted pressure, the Stripes plowed on, but unable to make their mark from successive corners against a staunch Hibernians’ defence determined for the clean sheet. Maya Cachia delivered a palm against a corner targeted her way, before Natalee Geren and Yolande Attard combined to block Selina Anima’s rebound effort.
Both sides continued to have opportunities from set-pieces, with referee Adam Brighton keeping a close eye on things. However, neither could find the finish to change the score until just before the half-time whistle. Natalee Geren made it three heading home a corner delivery from Calista Schechinger which was deflected into the net through Haruhi Sekura.
Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 0 – 3 Hibernians
Both coaches made changes at the break, with Martina Borg replacing her entire right wing as Nyorah Celeste and Yolande Attard gave way to Sarah Vella Barberi and Ileana Farrugia respectively, while Maya Pellegrini replaced Ylenia Grech in Birkirkara’s midfield.
The Italian was keen on making an early impact, playing a direct ball for Momo Ueda to chase behind. However, Maya Cachia was first to the ball.
Referee Adam Brighton continued to keep a close eye on things, taking no stick from players and maintaining control. The onus was on Birkirkara to find a way back, but Hibernians kept up their intent to inflict further damage.
Nicole Sciberras worked the diagonal to Sarah Vella Barberi, but the cut-back was intercepted by Stephania Farrugia as both Sylivia Kabene and Misozi Zulu raced into the box. At the other end, Maya Pellegrini attempted to find Gabriella Zahra’s run into space, but the pass was overcooked with the Paolites racing back through Nicole Sciberras once more.
Frustration grew for the Stripes, with Stephania Farrugia making a crucial tackle to take the ball from Sylivia Kabene, before Gabriella Zahra urged the side forward. Mariah Cardona continued to be a beacon with crafty footwork to dive from the wing into the box, but the finish from the tight angle flew wide of the far post.
The Paolites kept piling opportunities with Sylivia Kabene continuing to be a threat on pace, but undone by the offside flag, before the Ugandan couldn’t get the touch on the stretch on a low cross by Kayleigh Chetcuti.
Further swaps ensued as Birkirkara’s Billy Mock transitioned the team into a 4-3-3, with Gabriella Zahra, Izabella Camilleri and Amy Busuttil making way for Maia Gauci, Eunice Micallef and Kay Axiak. Hibernians’ Martina Borg also made a triple switch, with Kayleigh Chetcuti, Misozi Zulu and Georgiana Mifsud all making way for Leah Ayres, Suzanne Farrugia Sacco and Francesca Bartolo.
Despite the score, the open match continued to flow in attacking intent, with Hibernians finding their fourth just before the 80 minute mark. Natalee Geren launched a direct ball from midfield for Sylivia Kabene to chase behind, with a miscue clearance allowing the Ugandan to pass it into the net.
However, the Stripes kept up the fight. Kay Axiak forced a save from Maya Cachia with a placed effort from distance. Despite this, the clean sheet was ruined in injury time, with Stephania Farrugia heading home the consolation goal from a free-kick delivery from Momo Ueda.
Final Score: Birkirkara 1 – 4 Hibernians
Standings & Next Matches
Hibernians open the gap back to six points from the Stripes, with the side applying the pressure on Swieqi United to maintain pace with a victory against San Gwann this evening. League leaders Mgarr United will conclude the weekend on Saturday against Valletta.
The Paolites will return to action on the 8th November against Valletta at the Charles Abela Stadium (18:00). Birkirkara will seek to make up ground in a direct confrontation against Swieqi United on the 7th at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
Domestic football will give way to the international break after this weekend. The Malta Football Association is yet to make any formal communication regarding the organisation of the international window pertaining to the women’s senior and youth national teams.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image:Â RPC Photo MT
Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
