by Mgarr United held on to defeat Birkirkara by 2 – 1 at Dingli Ground. The Greens opened a two-goal lead by half-time, courtesy of a direct free-kick by Yanina Mendez and a precise shot by Valeria Villegas Caly. Gabriella Zahra made an immediate impact for Birkirkara coming off from the bench at half-time to head home a goal a minute into it. However, the Greens held on to ensure they end the weekend on top.
Team Selections
Giulia D’Antuono occupied the space between the posts for Mgarr, behind a back-four consisting of Kayah Abela Sciberras, Leanne Cefai, captain Abigail Camilleri and Yanina Mendez. Maia Debono and Amber Grech occupied the space in front of the midfeidl, while Rebecca Bajada and Luz Hernandez started on the wings. Alejandra Villegas Caly supported Valeria Villegas Caly in attack.
Janice Xuereb continued her stay in goal behind a heavily shuffled Birkirkara side. Eunice Micallef returned in the right-back position, while Lara May Azzopardi started on the left. Captain Stephania Farrugia continued to partner Izabella Camilleri in defence. Haruhi Sekura started at the base of the midfield, while Ylenia Grech and Momo Ueda operated further forward. Patricia Lamanna continued to lead Birkirkara’s attack, flanked by Maia Gauci and Mariah Cardona.
How It Unfolded
The onus of the three points were evident as Matteo Falzon blew the whistle to kick off the match. An aggressive stance made for plenty of exchanges in possession but it was Mgarr United which were having the best of the tussles. Still, both sides had opportunities from set-pieces early on, though unable to make much headway.
The Greens earned their first real opportunity through Rebecca Bajada whose run was well found by Valeria Villegas Caly. She fired with venom but the effort flew over the bar from the tight angle.
The Greens continued to pile opportunities through free-kicks, with Birkirkara’s defence managing to do enough to keep themselves in the match. However, the high-press from Mgarr United was exposing the lack of confidence in the Stripes. Rebecca Bajada almost capitalised in the 18th minute, winning the ball in the box, but the shot was deflected for a corner. Amber Grech found Luz Hernandez from the kick, but the Argentinian fired the volley over the bar from the far post.
The Stripes managed to relieve some pressure winning a free-kick just inside the Mgarr United half, which Izabella Camilleri almost turned into gold. The defender fired with pace, targeting the top right corner, but it fizzed just over the bar.
Mgarr United responded with precision in the 27th minute. Earning a free-kick on the right side, it was well within Yanina Mendez’ shooting range. The Argentinian blasted a shot that beat Janice Xuereb through its sheer power.
Now chasing the game, Birkirkara were still yet to cause any real trouble to Giulia D’Antuono, with Mgarr United’s defence first to anticipate and keen on winning the ball as high as possible. At the other end, Rebecca Bajada was on her bike once more a few moments later, but tracked well by Lara May Azzopardi to block the cross for a corner.
However, Mgarr United made the pressure pay just before half time. Capitalising on a miscue in the Birkirkara defence, Valeria Villegas Caly took the ball straight into the box before firing low into the far corner of the net.
Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 2 – 0 Birkirkara
Birkirkara’s Billy Mock made a double switch at the break, bringing on Gabriella Zahra instead of Ylenia Grech in midfield, while Izabella Stringer replaced Maia Gauci on the wing.
Zahra’s contribution was immediate, heading home Momo Ueda’s corner delivery at the near post a minute into the half. It injected life into the possibility of a real comeback by the Stripes, something that three years ago would have been an inevitability as the fear factor and the experience took centre stage.
Though the situations have changed for both clubs, the tensions in the match rose once more with the deficit slashed in half. The stop-start-match ensued despite Matteo Falzon attempting to keep things running while the aggression amped up between the two sides.
Birkirkara piled the efforts. Giulia D’Antuono dove to parry a volley from Patricia Lamanna fired a volley from inside the box, who was found by a direct ball from the back. The Stripes couldn’t capitalise on the corner, with Momo Ueda finding Lamanna but Giulia D’Antuono reacting well at her near post once more to gather.
The Greens were furious as Birkirkara’s Patricia Lamanna clattered into Giulia D’Antuono as the two attempted to go for a searching ball sent by Gabriella Zahra. However, Matteo Falzon refused the claims.
Having soaked up plenty of pressure, Mgarr United returned fire. A low cross into the box from Valeria to Luz Hernandez put the Argentinian with only the goalkeeper to beat with the finish. However, Janice Xuereb darted off her line to close the first shot and the first to keep the team in it with the three points continuing to be much needed for the Stripes.
As time ticked on and the singular goal separated the two, the Greens focused on holding shape and attempting to make something from resulting set pieces. Izabella Camilleri landed in the book in the 69th minute, and tested the line throughout the match as the challenges piled.
In the meantime, Birkirkara were keen to get on with things but players were repeatedly told off by assistant Jean Pierre Mifsud from taking the second available ball for throw-ins due to the ‘inability to guarantee the quality of the ball’.
Changes ensued from both coaches for the final fifteen minutes of the match. Kayah Abela Sciberras gave way to Gaia Antonelli who slotted in midfield, resulting in a shift for Rebecca Bajada into defence and Amber Grech moving forward in the field. Amy Busuttil came on in Birkirkara’s midfield. She replaced Eunice Micallef, with Haruhi Sekura shifting to right-back. Amelia Vassallo was introduced later on instead of Patricia Lamanna, with Mariah Cardona becoming Birkirkara’s main attacking threat.
Birkirkara could not make headway with an opportunity to whip a free-kick earned by Mariah Cardona, opting for a short routine that was read by the Greens. Having retreated, Ryan Vella was urging his side to go forward, with the team responding almost to immediate effect as Alejandra Villegas Caly and Valeria Villegas Caly combined in what looked like would finish off the match. However, Valeria Villegas Caly’s shot fizzed wide of the far post.
Birkirkara looked certain to make them rue their mistake as Momo Ueda launched into the box, with Gabriella Zahra continuing to be the most effective change made in the match by making the run in support. However, Rebecca Bajada snuffed out the opportunity, taking the ball away to safety.
Final Score: Mgarr United 2 – 1 Birkirkara
Standings & Next Matches
Mgarr United take the win to carve out the first three-point gap at the top. Birkirkara will have ground to make up as they now trail the leaders by nine points.
The Greens will be prepared for another battle against Hibernians on Thursday, with the Paolites looking to bounce back from a narrow defeat to Swieqi United. The match will be played at the Centenary Stadium (20:30). Meanwhile, Birkirkara will seek to bounce back against San Gwann on Friday at the Charles Abela Stadium (20:30).
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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