by Mgarr United delivered two goals in the second half against defending champions Swieqi United to widen their lead to nine points as they continue their charge for a maiden league title. Ines N’Guessan opened the scoring, before Valeria Villegas Caly gave the comfort of a two-goal cushion late on. The Greens wrapped up their eighth clean sheet in the league.
Team Selections
Giulia D’Antuono continued her stay in goal for Mgarr United. Rebecca Bajada returned at right-back, with Yanina Mendez continuing on the left of the partnership between Leanne Cefai and captain Abigail Camilleri. Maia Debono shifted into midfield alongside Amber Grech. Brenda Borg orchestrated in the middle, flanked by Ines N’Guessan and Alejandra Villegas Caly. Valeria Villegas Caly led the attack.
Meanwhile, Patricia Aruajo continued to protect Swieqi United’s goal. Valentina Rapa and Tammy Falzon returned to the heart of the defence, with Jade Schembri and Jade Flask on the flanks. Michaela Cachia started with captain Shona Zammit, accompanying Ema Micallef in midfield. Salamatu Abdulai led the attack, flanked by Sarah Urpani and Andjela Kricak.
How It Unfolded
The match kicked off under a carpet of clouds, with unrelenting rain making the backdrop for the scenes to unfold. Slick surfaces set the pace for quick football though the tight confines proved tricky with the touches needing to be near perfect.
As expected the two started out evenly, with both earning early opportunities to trouble from set-pieces but finding the defence up to the task.
There was no surprise as the ten minute mark barely hit when referee Sara Kanakaras had to log time for stoppage as the need for a new football arose, patterns that continue to consistently show up and shape the game in these stadiums.
Nonetheless, the teams got on with it. With little to shout for from open play, Shona Zammit tested Giulia D’Antuono early on, but the Mgarr goalkeeper was untroubled by the pace. The Greens looked for an opportunity in transition as Ines N’Guessan swung it into the box. However, Valeria Villegas Caly got underneath the header.
Patricia Araujo continued to show all the perfect attributes of a modern goalkeeper with the Brazilian effortlessly getting out of trouble following a tricky back-pass, before setting the team back out on their march. However, equally so at the other end, Giulia D’Antuono was collecting anything in her midriff.
With both knowing each other’s DNA well enough by now, there was nothing to separate the two by much, despite the weather, tight spaces and tension all playing apart in throwing different challenges to proceedings.
Late tests arose for the officials, with Abigail Camilleri let off the hook despite a questionable high-boot, while at the other end, Mgarr United were fuming at the possibility of a penalty. However, both sides went into the break deadlocked.
Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 0 – 0 Swieqi United
There were no new introductions at the break, but Mgarr United took the bull by the horns with the side unrelenting in chasing possession in midfield, pinning Swieqi United heavily.
Amber Grech looked to be in on the money flying in to win the ball in the final third, only to be thwarted by Ema Micallef just outside the box. Ines N’Guessan tested Patricia Araujo from tight angles, but found the goalkeeper ready to hold the save and kick off things in the other direction, despite the slippery football.
Unsurprisingly, the touchlines were reflecting the proceedings on the pitch, with Ryan Vella encouraged by his team, while Dorianne Theuma was furiously looking to snap her side back into control against the shifted balance.
The Greens peppered opportunities, with Yanina Mendez earning the chance to fire directly from a set-piece but finding Patricia Araujo ready for the low effort. Valeria Villegas Caly broke the defensive line, but could not find the far corner of the net.
Dorianne Theuma had seen enough, with the Swieqi coach looking to give the Greens something more to think about. She deployed Aleksandra Yaneva on the right wing, with Jade Schembri making way and Sarah Urpani shifting into the full-back position. The Owls earned an opportunity from a free-kick, but Shona Zammit’s attempt fizzed off target.
It kept things level, but not for long, with Mgarr United finally putting one of their own chances in the net. Yanina Mendez delivered the corner into the box, which travelled to Ines N’Guessan at the far post. The French-born continued to haunt the Owls, delivering the finish to open the scoring in the 72nd minute, before running off in celebration.
The Greens showed the desire to close off proceedings in quick succession. Valeria Villegas Caly was released once more, but this time too saw her effort curl away from the far left post with the diagonal finish.
The cards continued to rack up from Sara Kankaras, as the referee looked to keep things in check. Having booked Michaela Cachia for pulling a shirt, Valeria Villegas Caly was next to have her name taken for blocking Swieqi United from kicking off a quick free kick. Dorianne Theuma swapped her attack, with Salamatu Abdulai shifting wide, while Aleksandra Yaneva led the attack.
However, it did not matter. Valeria Villegas Caly was found in space centrally, with the Colombian pulling a direct trigger to find the bottom right corner of the net to double the scoring in the 81st minute.
Swieqi United had less than ten minutes to mount what would be a memorable come-back. Dorianne Theuma made one final change with Ema Micallef replaced by Thea Ida Scicluna who slotted at left-back, while Jade Flask shifted up front.
Aleksandra Yaneva managed a shot but could not find the accuracy, with the Owls continuing to be limited to little chance against a disciplined Mgarr United side that were determined for the clean sheet.
Final Score: Mgarr United 2 – 0 Swieqi United
Standings & Next Matches
Mgarr United widen their lead in the table to nine points, putting them in a strong position at the start of the third round of four, just before the Christmas break. Tonight will see Dingli Ground host the final match of the calendar year in the Assikura Women’s League as San Gwann take on Hibernians at 18:00.
Fixtures beyond the Christmas break are yet to be announced.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Brandon Bonett
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[…] The gap to Mgarr United has been widened further with the Greens’ victory against Swieqi United last evening. […]