by Hibernians secured a 5 – 0 victory against Mtarfa to return to the top of the table ahead of a month’s hiatus from the Assikura Women’s League. Nicole Sciberras and Rodianne Zerafa got the team going, before Leah Ayres delivered a brace. Alexis Espitia came off the bench to complete the scoring, while Yolande Attard struck the post.
Team Selections
Mtarfa’s captain Dorienne Grech started in goal protected by a back-five consisting of Maria Abdilla, Rebecca Zammit, Paula Ciappara, Angele Fenech and Claire Versteegh. Kerrie Ciappara started in front of the defence, while Shania Spiteri made her first appearance of the season alongside Eliza Csik. Estelle Borg supported Danna Fuentes Alvarez in attack.
Elizabeth Harrington remained in goal for Hibernians, while Natalee Geren returned to the heart of the defence flanked by Jessica Dimech and Amy Busuttil. Yolande Attard and Ileana Farrugia continued to operate on the wing, alongside an unchanged midfield of Kayleigh Chetcuti and Nicole Sciberras. Captain Martina Borg started behind Rodianne Zerafa and Leah Ayres.
How It Unfolded
The match kicked off with an across breeze under cloudy skies. It took two minutes for the first interruption, instigated by a low pressurised football, highlighting the complexities that continue to stun the local leagues.
Hibernians obliged with a football of their own and created their first opportunity five minutes into it. Yolande Attard found the space for the cross, but Leah Ayres could not get into the right position in time to trouble Dorienne Grech.
Nicole Sciberras appeared keen on a diagonal ball toward Yolande Attard, with the first intercepted by Claire Versteegh but sent into the path of Leah Ayres. She could not find the target with the finish, before the second attempted pass by Nicole Sciberras found Yolande Attard whose effort brushed the roof of the net.
Despite extensive injury breaks, Hibernians kept up the momentum in search of breaking the deadlock but could not break the defensive fort from corners. A good opportunity was created with a direct ball as Natalee Geren released Rodianne Zerafa behind the defence. However, she fired it straight into Dorienne Grech who came out to close the angle and kept herself big.
However, Hibernians managed to break the deadlock just a minute shy of the half hour mark through Nicole Sciberras. Having been keen on getting forward, the midfielder fired home from inside the box to find the far right corner of the net.
The Paolites almost made it two in the space of a few seconds. Leah Ayres forced a save from Dorienne Grech, before Yolande Attard’s rebound struck the post.
However, they did not have to wait for long to find the second, managing it after three minutes. Amy Busuttil launched a pass from midfield, which Dorienne Grech initially handled but could not hold, before Rodianne Zerafa pounced on the loose ball to double the lead.
The Paolites continued to create in search of extending their lead, with Martina Borg and Ileana Farrugia both having attempts that were just wide of the mark. Natalee Geren also tested Dorienne Grech from distance with a free-kick, but Mtarfa held on to avoid further damage before the break.
Half-Time Score: Mtarfa 0 – 2 Hibernians
Mtarfa’s Gaetano Papaleo made one change in defence at the break, bringing on Jasmine Camilleri instead of Angele Fenech. Hibernians almost kicked off in perfect fashion as Kayleigh Chetcuti struck a delightful finish into the far top corner. However, her release behind the defence was deemed to be poorly timed with the offside flag coming to Mtarfa’s rescue.
On their part, the Blues managed to get up the pitch with the opportunity to put the ball into the box. Rebecca Zammit put power into the delivery, but Elizabeth Harrington clutched untroubled. The Blues looked to be onto something as Eliza Csik darted forward, dribbling past her marker to get free on goal. However, Elizabeth Harrington was quickly off her line to clear the danger, with the Hungarian coming off worse in the tackle.
Despite the positive attempts from the Blues, Hibernians regained momentum to extend their margin. A glorious opportunity was missed by Rodianne Zerafa after she was squared a pass by Leah Ayres with the two getting the run in numbers against Dorienne Grech. However, Zerafa fired it into the side-netting despite the gaping net.
Alexis Espitia and Chloe Ellul took to the pitch instead of Rodianne Zerafa and Yolande Attard respectively in the 53rd minute.
Leah Ayres delivered the third goal in the 55th minute, tapping home a cross from Nicole Sciberras who was released by Jessica Dimech. The fourth was scored in similar fashion, with Alexis Espitia making her mark off the bench as the assister from the cross to the same Leah Ayres.
The Paolites continued creating, with Nicole Sciberras cutting back a pass from the byline to Alexis Espitia. However, she was denied by Dorienne Grech at the near post. Amy Busuttil was also denied a pin-pointed looped headed goal to her name by the offside flag, with Chloe Ellul denied the assist following a perfect delivery from midfield. Paula Ciappara also made a crucial block to deny further damage.
With the hour mark elapsed, both coaches looked to make further changes. Kenneth Costantino made a triple switch, brigning on Ingrid Psaila in defence instead of Amy Busuttil, while Maya Muscat replaced Elizabeth Harrington between the goalposts. Ileana Farrugia also gave way to Michela Camilleri.
Mtarfa’s Gaetano Papaleo also brought on Elisa Azzopardi in defence instead of Rebecca Zammit. Danna Fuentes Alvarez also gave way to Sabrina Bertona, while Saleisha Ghigo also replaced Kerrie Ciappara in midfield. Emily Gatt swapped with Maria Abdilla late on as well.
The Paolites found their final goal of the match in the 79th minute, with Alexis Espitia getting on the scoresheet with a low drive into the net to complete their return to the top of the table.
Final Score: Mtarfa 0 – 5 Hibernians
Standings & Next Matches
Hibernians fully capitalise on Birkirkara’s defeat to Swieqi United to take the top spot in the league once more, with a single point more than Birkirkara and Swieqi United. Mtarfa’s search for their first point continues.
The Assikura Women’s League will return in December, where Hibernians will meet Valletta on Saturday 7th at Dingli Ground (14:00). Mtarfa will follow against Lija Athletic, with the match starting at 16:30.
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