Lija Athletic Draw Level With San Gwann Following Win Over Mtarfa

Lija Athletic made it two wins on the bounce with a 2-0 victory over Mtarfa. Second half goals by Leanne Micallef and substitute Edera Marmara’ ensured the victory on the night. The defensive unit enjoy their second clean sheet against Mtarfa.

Team Selections

Christiana Pisani started in goal for Lija Athletic, protected by a back four of Mariah Schembri, Sarah Caruana, Nell Zarb Cousin and Shakira Bugeja. Rachel Mifsud continued her stay in midfield, alongside Ylenia Azzopardi, with captain Simone Buttigieg starting in the number ten position. Leanne Micallef was the central attacker, flanked by Vanessa Honorio Carneiro and Katryna Grech.

Mtarfa’s captain Dorienne Grech retained her place in goal, protected by a back four consisting of Angele Fenech, Nicole Mifsud, Rebecca Zammit and Corine Deguara. Kerrie Ciappara and Shania Spiteri protected the defence. Paula Ciappara started in the number ten position, with Elisa Azzopardi and Oumayma Jelili occupying the wings. Maria Abdilla was the lone attacker.

Mtarfa Hold Off Lija Approach

The referee’s whistle gave way to an encounter where Lija Athletic were doing most of the attacking but Mtarfa appeared determined to hold their own. Although most of the half was played in Mtarfa’s defensive third, the Blues picked their spots to charge forward.

An initial cross from Shakira Bugeja was collected by Dorienne Grech. At the other end, Maria Abdilla was effective in her press, charging down a short back-pass and forcing Christiana Pisani to clear into a throw-in, which enabled the Blues to get up the pitch. Shania Spiteri surged forward shortly after and attempted a long-range effort which was not far off.

However, it was mostly Lija Athletic who were doing the attacking and they started to string effective play together into the twentieth minute. The midfield trio were combining well, but the final ball to release attackers behind was repeatedly thwarted by the combination of the defensive line set-up as well as Dorienne Grech commanding the box.

The tactic forced Lija Athletic into long-range efforts, which Dorienne Grech was equal to or flew wide of the mark. The Reds were also unable to make the most of a number of corners with Mtarfa reading play well.

Jethron Azzopardi opted to switch his wide forwards and the tactic appeared to work well as Katryna Grech used her pace effectively to get away from her marker. The Blues were somewhat lucky as miscommunication between the defensive line and the goalkeeper led to clearance ricocheting straight into the path of the defence, which would have created unnecessary trouble had it landed in the feet of a Lija player.

Half-Time Score: Lija Athletic 0 – 0 Mtarfa

Lija Athletic Break Down The Defence

The Blues were forced into a change at the break as Elisa Azzopardi had to give way due to injury. She was replaced by Jasmine Camilleri. Meanwhile, Jethron Azzopardi made some tweaks pushing Vanessa Honorio Carneiro into the central striker role, while Leanne Micallef retreated alongside Simone Buttigieg. Ylenia Azzopardi moved into the right wing.

The team in red earned a corner on the restart with Katryna Grech using her pace effectively once more. However, Nicole Mifsud continued her work in defence to deny them a shooting opportunity.

Mtarfa broke on a quick attack through Shania Spiteri who made another dart up the pitch. The midfielder released Maria Abdilla whose shot was parried for a corner by Christiana Pisani. Although the corner was well marshalled by Lija Athletic, the attack continued to lift the Mtarfa bench. Jasmine Camilleri also made good headway shortly after, but found tough opposition in Mariah Schembri.

Despite the Blues’ intent to go forward, Lija Athletic piled pressure into the 55th minute, which ultimately broke down Mtarfa’s defence. An initial shot from Leanne Micallef was parried by Dorienne Grech. Although Lija Athletic were unable to convert from successive corners, Rachel Mifsud stopped Mtarfa’s counter before immediately sending them forward once more for the goal.

Mifsud passed into Vanessa Honorio Carneiro, who found Ylenia Azzopardi on the wing. Azzopardi threaded the ball to Leanne Micallef at the left side of the goal, who shifted it into her right boot and placed a low ball to finally beat the keeper and put her team in the lead.

Mtarfa made their second change just after the hour mark, with Jade Azzopardi taking to the pitch instead of Angele Fenech. Azzopardi slotted in the left wing position, while Paula Ciappara shifted into right-back. Lija Athletic also made a swap, bringing on Edera Marmara’ instead of Katryna Grech.

Lija Athletic were not happy with the slim lead and kept hunting the second. Leanne Micallef showed neat trickery to get into space on the right wing before delivering a cross into Vanessa Honorio Carneiro. The Brazilian swung a boot in mid-air but Dorienne Grech was equal to it once more.

Edera Marmara’ got into the thick of things shortly after, but also saw an effort saved well by Dorienne Grech once more. As the rain started to pour, the team continue surging forward, with Vanessa Honorio Carneiro winning a free-kick right on the edge of the area. Leanne Micallef attempted to find the far left corner but Dorienne Grech was equal to it. At the other end, Mtarfa were unable to trouble Lija Athletic’s defence with a free-kick from midfield, which Christiana Pisani was happy to collect.

Having been denied time and time again, Lija Athletic doubled their lead through substitute Edera Marmara’. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro delivered a low cross for Marmara’ who tapped it home at the far post from close range.

The Reds kept piling forward and firing at will, with Simone Buttigieg and Shakira Bugeja also trying their luck from distance but finding Rebecca Zammit and Dorienne Grech to block their attempts respectively.

Mtarfa’s coaching staff opted for more changes, bringing on Maia Cutajar and Rachel Sultana instead of Oumayma Jelili and Kerrie Ciappara. Cutajar slotted in front of the defence, while the Blues went more on the offensive with Rachel Sultana acting as a striking partner for Maria Abdilla.

Jethron Azzopardi also freshened things up by bringing on Rohanne Zahra and Samira Bouzid instead of Leanne Micallef and Mariah Schembri.

Mtarfa’s Maria Abdilla did well to ride a challenge in midfield before opening wide to Jasmine Camilleri who earned the team a corner. The Blues made it successive corner attempts but Lija Athletic’s Simone Buttigieg and Rachel Mifsud were both involved to ensure that the team held on to their clean sheet.

Edera Marmara’ had two good opportunities but found Dorienne Grech quickly closing her down after being released by Simone Buttigieg, while the number ten fired one over the bar with another chance shortly after. Ylenia Azzopardi also forced a parry from Grech with a low effort.

Mtarfa had one final opportunity to get something back from a free-kick. However, the delivery was overcooked and Christiana Pisani collected to relieve pressure and ensure her clean sheet.

Final Score: Lija Athletic 2 – 0 Mtarfa

Standings & Next Matches

Lija Athletic will relish the three points which put them on par with San Gwann on thirteen points. They will next face Valletta at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Thursday 8th February at 20:15. Valletta are yet to be beaten in this phase.

Meanwhile, despite lacking points on the board, Mtarfa will be encouraged by an improved showing. They will next face San Gwann on Saturday 10th February at Dingli Ground (16:30).

Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X