by Hibs and Mgarr each took a single point from a highly contested match that they played at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday night. The match involved plenty of goal-mouth action but neither team was able to capitalise on their chances.
Mgarr started the game on the front foot , with D’Agostino registering a goal just 5 minutes into the game. The header bounced awkwardly in front of the Hibs keeper who was beaten by the bounce.
However, Hibs did not let this deter them and got very close 12 minutes into play, when captain Martina Borg hit the crossbar from a direct free-kick. Hibs were denied again at the 26th minute when left-back Chloe Ellul made a late run into box to meet a cross and had the cool head to nutmeg keeper Ebejer with her finish, but the ball was cleared off the line by the Mgarr defence.
With pressure mounting, Mgarr pushed to double their lead as Captain Brenda Borg managed to dribble her way past the Hibs defence multiple times, and there were appeals for a penalty as she appeared to be brought down in the box at the 38th minute. However, Mgarr were waived away by Referee Raiden Psaila.
Hibs came out stronger in the second half and started to expose the high line played by the Mgarr defence by mounting incisive counter-attacks. Their tactical awareness was rewarded in the 54th minute when Rodianne Zerafa (9) ran free from two centre-backs and even though Ebejer managed to parry the shot, the ball landed at the feet of Hibs captain Martina Borg who was perfectly positioned to convert the goal and get Hibs level.
Both teams mounted plenty of attacks to get the second goal. Mgarr’s trio of Yulya Carella, Francesca Chircop and Brenda Borg linked well and won a number of free-kicks in the process, however the greens failed to convert. Meanwhile, Hibs did well to counter-attack at every chance but Ebejer was often quick off her line to deal with the danger and other times Hibs were wasteful in front of goal. Tensions ran high towards the end of the match with personnel within Hibs bench receiving a red card for dissent towards the referee.
The draw means that Mgarr failed to capitalise on the chance to grab third place from their opponents in the Assikura Women’s League. Hibs retain third place but are level pegging with Raiders Lija FC who have a game in hand.
Photo by Daniel Norin on Unsplash
