by Hibernians FC will meet Swieqi United in the final of the Assikura Women’s Knockout, following their 6-0 victory over San Gwann FC last Sunday. Goals by Chloe Ellul, Alexis Espitia, Nyorah Celeste and Kayleigh Chetcuti gave the Paolites a comfortable lead at half-time before Sarah Urpani’s brace sealed the victory.
Team Sheets
Raisa Costantino started between the sticks for Hibernians FC, behind a back four of Cristina Hili, Emma Zammit, Amy Busuttil and Chloe Ellul. Keith Gouder gave a start to Thea Difesa in midfield, alongside Sarah Urpani and captain for the day Kayleigh Chetcuti. Up front, Nyorah Celeste and Yolande Attard supported Alexis Espitia.
Meanwhile, Justyne Caruana started in goal for San Gwann FC, protected by Kirstie Vella, Fatma Al Girbi, Martina Schembri and Francesca Zarb. Captain Annabelle Rapa provided support in midfield with Nicole Camenzuli and Nilayza Attard. Sarah Cassar and Yasmin Attard provided the widths while Julia Egging occupied the role up front.
A Decisive First-Half
Hibernians set themselves on course for victory early in the match as Chloe Ellul opened the scoring after just four minutes. Kayleigh Chetcuti displayed good vision to spot Hibs’ number three unmarked at the edge of the box. Ellul fired the Whites into the lead with a precise and powerful strike into the corner of the net.
Alexis Espitia doubled the lead around twenty minutes later, the striker punishing San Gwann following a loose clearance. The number thirty was again involved in the build-up to the third goal just three minutes later, forcing a save from goalkeeper Justyne Caruana, before Nyorah Celeste pounced on the loose ball and tapped in the rebound.
Gouder’s side kept up the pressure and earned themselves a spot kick just after the half-hour mark. Celeste and Espitia’s partnership in the attack was again a central cause of trouble for San Gwann. The Yellows failed to deal with Espitia’s pace on the wing who managed to pick out Celeste with her cross, and the number twenty-one was subsequently fouled as she attempted to finish. Kayleigh Chetcuti converted the penalty, making it two goals in two appearances in the competition, and sent her team into the break with a comfortable 4-0 lead.
Urpani’s Brace Settles the Matter
With the final in sight, Hibs’ coach Keith Gouder rested Yolande Attard and Emma Zammit at the break, bringing on Aleksandra Georgieva and Ingrid Psaila in like-for-like changes. Meanwhile, coach Raymond Sant brought on Maria Ibrahim, replacing Francesca Zarb who was booked earlier in the match.
Hibernians picked up where they left off, and found the fifth goal ten minutes into the second half. San Gwann’s inability to block crosses from the wings was again a cause of their downfall, with Sarah Urpani converting into the corner of the net.
Hibs’ Federica Zahra and Shakira Bugeja made an appearance shortly after, and the latter had an almost immediate impact, striking the woodwork from a free-kick. Further changes ensued from both sides, with Edera Maramara replacing goalscorer Nyorah Celeste for Hibs, while Chanice Grixti and Yana Scicluna took to the pitch for San Gwann at different points in the match.
San Gwann’s Julia Egging attempted to test Raisa Costantino in goal with a strike from the edge of the box but the goalkeeper was equal to it. The Yellows’ number nine won a free-kick shortly after in a central position and though Nicole Camenzuli put her boot through it, Costantino was in a good position to collect, denying San Gwann any way back into the match.
Hibs completed the rout shortly after, despite multiple defensive blocks by San Gwann. Substitute Edera Marmara hit the cross-bar before Sarah Urpani completed her brace at the second time of asking after her initial rebound was saved by the goalkeeper.
Full-Time Score: Hibernians FC 6 – 0 San Gwann FC
The victory secures a place in the final for Hibernians in their first season back in women’s football. Keith Gouder’s side will contest the final against Judith Kuipers’ Swieqi United FC, after the latter also beat their semi-final opposition Raiders Lija FC by 2-0. The final will be played this Friday 12th May with an 8 pm kick-off at the Centenary Stadium.
Photo: Maraya Gauci
