by Hibernians booked a spot in the semi-final following a 2-1 victory over Mgarr United. Natalee Geren opened the scoring, before Leah Ayres doubled the lead in the first half. Brenda Borg got Mgarr United back into it early in the second half but the Greens could not complete the return. Birkirkara will also be in the final four, following a 7-0 victory over Lija Athletic.
Team Selections
Patricia Ebejer started in goal for Mgarr United. She was protected by a back four consisting of Kayah Abela Sciberras, Leanne Cefai, Abigail Camilleri and Anastasia Sivolobova. Captain Maia Debono returned to the starting eleven protecting the defence, with Luana Cabral and Brenda Borg operating further forward. Fernanda Peinado led the attack, flanked by Yulya Carella and Joelma Alves Gabriel.
Maya Muscat continued her stay in goal for Hibernians. Chloe Ellul and Kiley Norkus provided the width to Natalee Geren and Amy Busuttil in defence. Nicole Sciberras returned to the starting eleven, trusted with the captain’s duties in the absence of Martina Borg. She protected the defence, with Kayleigh Chetcuti and Sarah Urpani operating further forward. Alexis Espitia and Yolande Attard provided the width to Leah Ayres in attack.
How It Unfolded
Hibernians started the strongest of the two teams, encouraged by the drumming from the stands. On the other hand, Mgarr United created issues for themselves early on by conceding a poor corner. However, Kiley Norkus’ delivery searching for Natalee Geren at the far post swung behind the goal, letting the Greens off the hook.
The Paolites continued having the majority of the attacking intent early on but struggled to get shots off to trouble Patricia Ebejer in goal. Mgarr United responded by earning two free-kick opportunities with a chance to launch the ball into the box. However Hibernians’ Alexis Espitia headed away the first delivery untroubled, before Fernanda Peinado’s attempt to head Joelma Alves Gabriel’s delivery was off-target.
Instead, Hibernians struck home in the 18th minute. Natalee Geren launched a free kick from just inside Mgarr United’s half on the left wing, with the ball slipping into the net through Patricia Ebejer’s hands.
The Greens finally settled into some possession following the goal, while Hibernians attempted to find the second through set-pieces. The Paolites’ bench was furious with the referee Jo-Anna Vassallo following an Mgarr United impeding play, but the referee refused to take out the yellow card. Chloe Ellul attempted to side-foot a volley into the far corner from the set-piece but it flew off target.
Mgarr United fashioned a chance on the half-hour mark with Brenda Borg releasing Fernada Peinado between the centre-backs. The Brazilian attempted to direct it into the bottom left corner but Maya Muscat was untroubled.
The half continued in a stop-start manner with Mgarr United earning a string of free-kicks and playing roulette with their takers. Yulya Carella’s delivery was the most threatening, finding Brenda Borg at the far left post, but the header was off-target.
On the other hand, Hibernians converted the second from a free-kick routine in the 36th minute. Natalee Geren played it short from midfield to Chloe Ellul, who delivered the cross. Patricia Ebejer got the initial save, but the ball released in the six-yard box fell into the feet of Leah Ayres who tapped home to double Hibernians’ lead. The team in black made a quick surge shortly after with Alexis Espitia finding Leah Ayres behind the defence. However, the striker’s attempt was off-target.
Brenda Borg injected some interest for Mgarr United, taking the initiative to burst forward before linking in with the front line. The side managed to create a good transition into the final minutes of the half with Joelma Alves Gabriel finding Fernanda Peinado wide. However, the striker’s pulled the attempt, to find the far right corner, wide.
Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 0 – 2 Hibernians
There were no substitutions at the break, however Mgarr United tweaked their front line. Fernanda Peinado shifted to the right wing, Yulya Carella to the left, while Brenda Borg and Joelma Alves Gabriel led the attack.
Although Hibernians’ Kayleigh Chetcuti was the first to strike an effort on goal in the second half, Mgarr United emerged with a higher press that caused some issues for Hibernians’ back line. The Greens made it pay in the 52nd minute, forcing a change of possession in the final third. Brenda Borg was found right on the edge of the area, opened the space and placed into the bottom left corner to get Mgarr United back into it early in the half.
Midfield duo Luana Cabral and Maia Debono continued to win the midfield battle, with the Greens enjoying the best spell in the match. However, Natalee Geren was still in control in Hibernians’ defence, reading Yulya Carella’s attempt to release Brenda Borg behind the defence, before a cross from Mgarr United’s number eleven curled behind for a goalkick.
Hibernians were invigorated by a forward surge from Kiley Norkus close to the hour mark, with the American linking with compatriot Alexis Espitia. However, with just the goalkeeper to beat, Espitia fired wide of the mark.
Kenneth Costantino pulled the trigger on the first change of the match, bringing on Martina Borg in replacement of Sarah Urpani. The Paolites’ Norkus continued going forward but Anastasia Sivolobova read a cross to take it away from Alexis Espitia who was poised for the shot.
Leah Ayres was next to attempt a strike from outside the area following another change of possession, but it was well saved by Patricia Ebejer. It was Ayres’ last action with the player limping off with injury immediately after, replaced by Nyorah Celeste.
The youngster was bright on pace, while Hibernians attempted to put the game to bed from free-kick opportunities to no avail. The Paolites’ were furious once more as the referee lacked to brandish a booking for blatant impeding of play, before the Greens were next to argue against a decision shortly after. However, the Paolites could not capitalise on the opportunities.
Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella made one last throw of the dice as the match went into injury time, bringing on Shakira Camilleri in replacement of Kayah Abela Sciberras and sending his team on the attack. However, the side struggled to make it pay off initially, with Hibernians instead looking the more threatening of the two to release Nyorah Celeste behind. However, Patricia Ebejer was keen to sweep.
Still Mgarr United’s Luana Cabral earned the team one final opportunity by winning a free-kick right on the edge of the box. Joelma Alves Gabriel hung it into the six-yard box, with Abigail Camilleri rising to meet it, but seeing the header land over the crossbar before the referee signalled curtains on the match.
Final Score: Mgarr United 1 – 2 Hibernians
Hibernians thus secure a place in the semi-final. They will await the result between Swieqi United and Mtarfa, who meet later today, to know their opponent. That match will be played at Mgarr Ground at 14:00.
Birkirkara Also Through
Meanwhile, Birkirkara started their search for the treble on a strong note, beating Lija Athletic by 7-0. Alishia Sultana opened the scoring. Sara Saliba completed a hat-trick in the match. Arianna Del Moral was also on the mark, while Veronique Mifsud grabbed a quick brace to complete the scoresheet. The Stripes will head into the other semi-final, and await their opponent based on this afternoon’s match between Valletta and San Gwann (Mgarr Ground 14:00).
The semi-finals will be played next weekend but fixtures are yet to be announced.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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[…] take themselves into the semi-finals, where they will relish the challenge against Birkirkara. The victory also takes their unbeaten streak into ten, across all competitions. The other […]