by Lija Athletic made a return to points with a 5-1 victory over Mtarfa. Leanne Micallef got the side going before Shakira Bugeja and Kylie Pantalleresco earned the side a comfortable score at the break. Mtarfa mounted a strong second half, with Eliza Csik getting the side on the scoresheet for the first time this season, while Leslye Nicole Espinel Bautista was denied by the post. However, Lija Athletic wrapped up the score late on with another strike from Shakira Bugeja and Vanessa Honorio Carneiro.
Team Selections
Mtarfa’s captain Dorienne Grech started between the posts, protected by a starting back-five consisting of Claire Versteegh, Angele Fenech, Paula Ciappara, Rebecca Zammit and Maria Abdilla. Kerrie Ciappara protected the defence, while Leslye Nicole Espinel Bautista and Eliza Csik operated further forward. Estelle Borg and Shania Spiteri led the attack.
Meanwhile, Christiana Pisani returned in goal for Lija Athletic, behind a changed defence. Corinne Deguara and Milena Stagno started on the flanks, while captain Sarah Caruana and Nell Zarb Cousin operated alongside Lorna-Maria Cassar. Ylenia Azzopardi returned to action alongside Shakira Bugeja in midfield, while Kylie Pantelleresco operated in a more offensive role. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro and Leanne Micallef led the attack.
How It Unfolded
Lija Athletic started the match with a stronger hand on possession and fired early warning signs through Vanessa Honorio Carneiro. The Brazilian was released and struck an early lob, defeating Dorienne Grech but unable to ensure the dip to find the back of the net.
Despite this, Lija Athletic broke the deadlock in the 12th minute. Shakira Bugeja released Leanne Micallef on the wing, with the number seventeen cutting inside to find the space for the shot. She struck a left boot to find the back of the net over Dorienne Grech.
The side attempted to find the second with a free-kick, which Shakira Bugeja launched deep toward Leanne Micallef who kept it alive. However, Kylie Pantelleresco’s strike was overhit.
Mtarfa responded with an attack of their own with Eliza Csik and Leslye Nicole Espinel Bautista linking well in midfield to find Claire Versteegh who released Estelle Borg. However, Lorna-Maria Cassar dealt with the first cross, before Claire Versteegh’s second attempt was clutched by Christiana Pisani.
Lija Athletic responded by doubling their tally through Shakira Bugeja, in the 20th minute. The number seven was precise with the finish from distance, noticing Dorienne Grech off her line after the goalkeeper had come out to block an initial effort from Leanne Micallef.
Key battles continued to ensue with former teammates Corinne Deguara and Claire Versteegh leaving their mark on eachother, while Paula Ciappara taking no prisoners with Lija’s forwards.
However, Lija Athletic captured a comfortable lead just before the half-hour mark, courtesy of a tap-in from Kylie Pantelleresco. She finished the third, following an initial deflection from Dorienne Grech who got something on Vanessa Honorio Carneiro’s initial effort.
The team in sky blue continued pushing forward for more, including through set-pieces before creating a major opportunity just before half-time through good building from the back. However, Dorienne Grech blocked efforts from Kylie Pantelleresco and Vanessa Honorio Carneiro.
Half-Time Score: Lija Athletic 3 – 0 Mtarfa
Mtarfa’s Gaetano Papaleo shook things up at half-time, deploying a change in formation to a 4-3-3, with Estelle Borg and Angele Fenech as the wide forwards, while Saleisha Ghigo replaced Kerrie Ciappara to spearhead the attack.
The change paid dividends immediately, with the team pressing high and earning a goal for their efforts three minutes into the half. Eliza Csik fired from the edge of the box to find the bottom left corner of the net, netting Mtarfa’s first goal of the season.
The Blues kept up the pressure, with Gaetano Papaleo making a second switch close to the hour mark, bringing on Jasmine Camilleri on the left wing, replacing Angele Fenech. Mtarfa’s Saleisha Ghigo continued being a nuisance for Lija’s defence earning the team a corner. Rebecca Zammit teased the delivery into the box, with Christiana Pisani getting a palm on it to steer away the danger.
Lija Athletic sought to regain control of the match, but the momentum stuck firmly with Mtarfa who were keen on a second goal. Jethron Azzopardi looked to his bench to shake things up, bringing on Kayleigh Abela, who replaced Corinne Deguara.
However, Mtarfa kept piling forward, with Eliza Csik delivering another low cross into the box, but finding Christiana Pisani ready to intercept. Continuing on their forward burst, Mtarfa were denied the second by the post as Nicole Espinel Bautista attempted to place home into the right side of the net from inside the box in the 67th minute.
The chances continued to invigorate the side, with animation on the bench as the team pushed to close the gap in the score. Saleisha Ghigo continued being a handful for Lija’s defence with another forward drive into the box, before Estelle Borg struck but finding Christiana Pisani ready to keep Mtarfa out.
However, Mtarfa were unable to add to their tally, while Lija Athletic braced under pressure while searching to regain control of the midfield. Shakira Bugeja ultimately choked Mtarfa’s forward charge in the 84th minute with a strike from distance that hugged the right corner of the net.
Jethron Azzopardi looked to his bench for a final switch, bringing on Emma Ruth Lake instead of Milena Stagno. Emily Gatt and Katya Camilleri also made a late appearance for Mtarfa instead of Maria Abdilla and Claire Versteegh.
Lija Athletic wrapped up the score with another late long-range strike, this time from Vanessa Honorio Carneiro. She was found by Leanne Micallef, with the Brazilian striking to find the bottom left corner of the goal just before the full-time whistle.
Final Score: Lija Athletic 5 – 1 Mtarfa
Standings & Next Matches
Lija Athletic take their tally to nine points, leaping over Valletta who remain on eight points following their defeat to Hibernians. Mtarfa still search for their first points, but will be heartened by the display of the evening.
Both teams return to action on Friday 13th December. Lija Athletic will face Swieqi United at Dingli Ground in a 14:00 kick-off. Mtarfa will face Valletta at 15:00 at the Charles Abela Stadium.
This afternoon presents the first opportunity for silverware as Swieqi United and Birkirkara contest the Super Cup final at 14:00 at the Centenary Stadium.
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