Lija Athletic End League Commitments With Victory Against Mtarfa

Lija Athletic made sure to take themselves level with San Gwann on points with an 8-0 victory against Mtarfa to end their league commitments on a high. Elisa Xuereb grabbed two on the night. Nell Zarb Cousin, Edera Marmara’ and Vanessa Honorio Carneiro extended the lead, before Leanne Micallef finished things off with a brace. An own goal was also scored.

Team Selections

Christiana Pisani started in goal for Lija Athletic. Nell Zarb Cousin led the team in the absence of Simone Buttigieg. She partnered Samira Bouzid in defence, with Katryna Grech and Mariah Schembri providing the width. Sarah Caruana started in front of the defence alongside Rachel Mifsud. Edera Marmara’ and Elisa Xuereb occupied the flanks, while Leanne Micallef supported Vanessa Honorio Carneiro in attack.

Mtarfa’s captain Dorienne Grech started in goal, protected by a four-piece defence consisting of Elisa Azzopardi, Rebecca Zammit, Angele Fenech and Corine Deguara. Kerrie Ciappara and Shania Spiteri started in the holding midfield positions, while Estelle Borg operated further forward. Oumayma Jelili and Paula Ciappara started on the wings, while Maria Abdilla led the attack.

Lija Athletic Hit The Ground Running

Lija Athletic donned a brand new kit in their final league match and they inaugurated it with a result to remember. The team earned themselves an early lead as the referee pointed to the penalty spot in the 4th minute after Vanessa Honorio Carneiro was clipped in the box. Elisa Xuereb struck a powerful drive into the bottom left corner to get her team off the mark.

Mtarfa’s evening got worse as Angele Fenech had to be taken off a quarter of an hour into the match with injury. She was replaced by Shakira Falzon who supported Maria Abdilla in attack, shifting Estelle Borg to the flank, Paula Ciappara in front of the defence and Shania Spiteri into the centre-back partnership with Rebecca Zammit.

Lija Athletic kept up the attacks with Vanessa Honorio Carneiro dribbling past three markers into the 23rd minute, but found Dorienne Grech a tough nut to crack, with the goalkeeper saving the low effort. Despite this, Lija Athletic doubled their lead shortly after through a corner, with Nell Zarb Cousin heading home Leanne Micallef’s delivery at the near post.

The team in the sky blue shirt made it three just four minutes later. Elisa Xuereb pounced on a ball as the Mtarfa defence attempted to clear and fired into the bottom left corner on the turn.

Mtarfa responded with a positive attempt as Paula Ciappara applied pressure to get something from a miscued clearance at the other end. However, the cross found only Christiana Pisani from the tight angle who clutched untroubled.

Edera Marmara’ made it four in the 34th minute with a pure strike from the right side of the penalty box to find the far top left corner. The fifth arrived shortly before half-time as Leanne Micallef flashed a cross from the right wing, which was palmed into the Mtarfa net.

Half-Time Score: Lija Athletic 5 – 0 Mtarfa

Lija Extend

Mtarfa’s Christian Curmi and Brandon Spiteri made one change at half-time, bringing on Katya Camilleri in replacement of Elisa Azzopardi. Camilleri slotted in midfield, while Paula Ciappara moved into the right-back position.

Vanessa Honorio Carneiro got herself on the scoresheet four minutes into the restart. The Brazilian pounced on a loose ball in the penalty box before placing low into the net for the team’s sixth of the night.

Lija Athletic developed more chances as Katryna Grech sped forward on the wing and delivered crosses into the box. However, Elisa Xuereb skied an effort, before Vanessa Honorio Carneiro side-footed an opportunity just wide of the mark.

However, Jethron Azzopardi’s side found the seventh in the 63rd minute. Edera Marmara’ struck sweetly from distance but was denied by the crossbar, only for Leanne Micallef to strike a left-footed rebound across into the bottom right corner.

The two teams freshened things up following the goal. Jasmine Camilleri replaced Paula Ciappara in the right-back position, while Amy Galea Gingell made a return from injury in replacement of Rachel Mifsud.

Galea Gingell was quickly involved in the action leading to the final goal of the night. She found Vanessa Honorio Carneiro who drifted onto the wing and crossed to Leanne Micallef, who was completely unmarked in the box. The striker dinked the low cross coolly into the net.

Leah Laudi made her debut for Lija Athletic shortly after, replacing Nell Zarb Cousin, while Leanne Micallef assumed the captain’s role. Laudi slotted on the wing and was a willing runner to push up the pitch.

Mtarfa developed a real opportunity as the 80th minute approached, through Estelle Borg who beat her marker with determination before crossing into the box. Christiana Pisani got something on it, before Maria Abdilla and Shakira Falzon attempted to hone in for the rebound. However, Samira Bouzid was determined to hold on to the clean sheet, clearing the ball just in time. The side also attempted to release Estelle Borg, but was denied by the offside flag.

Final changes ensued for Mtarfa with Amy Mizzi replacing Dorienne Grech in goal, while Maia Cutajar took to the pitch in swap with Kerrie Ciappara. A member from the Mtarfa bench landed in the book in the 86th minute. Despite this, Mizzi denied Lija Athletic further joy by intercepting a cross from Mariah Schembri, before also saving a header by Vanessa Honorio Carneiro following a corner.

Final Score: Lija Athletic 8 – 0 Mtarfa

Standings

The two teams conclude the commitments in the Assikura Women’s League in the Bottom Four section. Lija Athletic conclude their return to the league with a fresh team with 22 points, level with San Gwann, but stay in third with a goal difference just two poorer than the Yellows. On the other hand, Mtarfa’s league commitments come to a close without points.

Today’s matches will conclude the Assikura Women’s League for the season in the Top Four section, as Mgarr United welcome Swieqi United at Mgarr Ground (14:00), while Hibernians face off against the champions Birkirkara at the Centenary Stadium (15:00).

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