by Lija Athletic managed a slender 1-0 victory over Mtarfa. Katryna Grech delivered the winning moment, rebounding an initially saved penalty by Dorienne Grech. Lija Athletic’s Vanessa Honorio Carneiro had two goals cancelled by the offside flag, while Shakira Bugeja was also denied by the crossbar. Mtarfa will rue two crucial opportunities which could have earned them the first points of the season, while also being dealt what looks to be a serious injury to Katie Gribbon.
Team Selections
Mtarfa’s captain Dorienne Grech continued to guard the goal. She was protected by a quintet consisting of Maria Abdilla, Rebecca Zammit, Paula Ciappara, Angele Fenech and Claire Versteegh. Katie Gribbon started the match protecting the defence. Ruth Micallef operated further forward, while Leslye Nicole Espinel Bautista debuted alongside her. Danna Fuentes Alvares and Eliza Csik led the attack.
There were also no changes in goal for Lija Athletic, with Christiana Pisani maintaining her place between the sticks. Shakira Bugeja and Mariah Schembri provided the width to Nell Zarb Cousin and Samira Bouzid in defence. Rachel Mifsud returned to midfield, alongside Ylenia Azzopardi. Captain Leanne Micallef operated in the number ten role, with Edera Marmara’ and Katryna Grech providing the width. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro spearheaded the attack.
How It Unfolded
The referee’s whistle blew to an even start with plenty of turnovers in possession, as the sides grappled with control over the match. Mtarfa had an early opportunity from a free-kick, which Rebecca Zammit delivered from midfield. Eliza Csik snuck away from Lija’s defence well, but did not manage to get enough of a connection to trouble Christiana Pisani.
Lija Athletic responded by driving forward, with their wingers and full-backs keen on fizzing balls into the box. However, Vanessa Honorio Carneiro was being closely guarded by the Blues. Leanne Micallef fizzed a shot from distance which snuck wide, before trying to release Edera Marmara’ who made an intelligent run but did not manage to quite take the ball in her stride to make it pay off.
The match took a sombre turn as Mtarfa’s Katie Gribbon collapsed to the ground, with medical assistance required after just sixteen minutes played. She was replaced by Kerrie Ciappara.
Lija Athletic’s Vanessa Honorio Carneiro earned the side a golden ticket after being fouled in the box in the 18th minute. Edera Marmara’s effort was saved by Dorienne Grech. However, Katryna Grech delivered the finishing touch on the rebound to break the deadlock.
The goal motivated Lija Athletic to drive further forward. Mariah Schembri earned a corner kick, with Paula Ciappara delivering the block on the cross delivery. Leanne Micallef delivered towards Vanessa Honorio Carneiro, but she could not keep it down.
Shakira Bugeja was also keen on getting up the pitch, delivering a cross for Honorio Carneiro shortly after. The Brazilian went for the acrobatic but appeared put off from the timing by her surrounding players. Meanwhile, the team’s midfield duo of Ylenia Azzopardi and Rachel Mifsud appeared to gain more control by the minute.
However, Mtarfa responded through Eliza Csik who was chopped by Mariah Schembri, with the latter landing herself in the book for her troubles. Rebecca Zammit launched forward, but Ylenia Azzopardi was first to the ball, clearing with distance.
Still, the opportunity encouraged the Blues, with Gaetano Papaleo urging his team to go forward. Ruth Micallef was combining well with Danna Alvarez Fuentes and Leslye Nicole Espinel Bautista. The trio, together with Eliza Cisk, were managing to string some play together. Eliza Csik managed to square a ball to Danna Fuentes Alvares. However, Lija Athletic closed the door before she managed to get a shot away.
The Blues created a big opportunity from a free-kick just two minutes later. Eliza Csik kept the ball alive in the box, but was twice denied by Nell Zarb Cousin and Ylenia Azzopardi, before Kerrie Ciappara pulled the final effort wide.
Lija Athletic responded with a chance of their own from a corner kick. Shakira Bugeja delivered onto the head of Edera Marmara’, who attempted to direct it toward the far corner, but saw it creep just on the wrong side of the post.
Half-Time Score: Mtarfa 0 – 1 Lija Athletic
Jethron Azzopardi made one change at the break, bringing on Daniela Camilleri on the right wing, while Rachel Mifsud gave way. Edera Marmara’ shifted to the centre of midfield.
Mtarfa started brightly with a major chance in the first five minutes. Leslye Nicole Espinel Bautista flicked a ball forward for Eliza Csik to run onto. The Hungarian crossed a low ball into the path of Danna Fuentes Alvares who arrived at the far post but scooped the shot from close range, seeing it fly over the bar.
The Blues were employing the offside trap to good effect, with Lija Athletic getting increasingly frustrated. However, Shakira Bugeja almost put Lija Athletic two up with a free-kick from distance, but was denied by the crossbar.
Corine Deguara took to the pitch against her former club in the 66th minute, replacing Samira Bouzid. She slotted at right back, while Ylenia Azzopardi retreated into defence and Shakira Bugeja moved into midfield.
The momentum of the match fizzled away as the final twenty minutes approached. Nell Zarb Cousin was urging her team to get back on the front foot, aware of the slender lead. On the other hand, Mtarfa appeared reluctant to capitalise on the moment.
Things appeared to change in the 77th minute as Shakira Bugeja launched another ball from a free-kick onto the head of Vanessa Honorio Carneiro. She found the net, but celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.
The Brazilian had another goal chalked off four minutes later, this time running on the shoulder of the defence to get there ahead of Dorienne Grech and chip it into the net from close range. However, the assistant raised his flag once more, earning an earful from the Brazilian, which quickly sent Matthias Buttigieg for the card in his pocket.
Dorienne Grech showed good anticipation in effort to keep the goal deficit of just one late on, sweeping effectively against Katryna Grech. Yanica Zammit also made an appearance later on, in replacement of Katryna Grech.
Mtarfa had an opportunity to strike late from a free-kick, but the attack fizzled away into nothing.
Final Score: Mtarfa 0 – 1 Lija Athletic
Next Matches
The result means that Mtarfa earn their best result so far, but still seek their first points of the season, while Lija Athletic take their points tally to six. Mtarfa will gear up to meet Valletta at Dingli Ground next Saturday 28th at 17:00. The match will be followed by Lija Athletic against Swieqi United at 19:30.
Tonight presents the final two matches of matchday four which promise exciting encounters as Mgarr United take on Birkirkara (17:00), before Hibernians meet Valletta at 19:30. Both matches will be played at Dingli Ground.
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