by Mgarr United returned to winning ways with a second-half blitz to secure a 6 – 0 victory against Lija Athletic. Yulya Carella scored four goals, with Valeria Villegas Caly and Alejandra Villegas Caly completing the scoring.
Team Selections
Lija Athletic had a surprise stalwart in goal with Shakira Bugeja occupying the goalkeeping position. Ylenia Azzopardi, Nell Zarb Cousin, Lorna-Maria Cassar and Milena Stagno protected her, with Yanica Zammit and Leanne Micallef occupying the wings. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro captained the side and started in front of the defence, flanked by Kylie Pantalleresco and Hanna Ali. Kayleigh Abela continued leading the line.
Meanwhile, Patricia Ebejer returned in goal for Mgarr United with the goalkeeper captaining the side on the evening as well. Leanne Cefai and Abigail Camilleri continued their partnership in defence, flanked by Kayah Abela Sciberras and Rodiana Borg. Maia Debono started in midfield, with Amber Grech returning to the fray, while Yanina Mendez and Alejandra Villegas Caly started on the flanks. Valeria Villegas Caly started in attack with Yulya Carella.
How It Unfolded
The Greens thought they were off to a flying start in the windy conditions, with Rodiana Borg delivering a low cross to Valeria Villegas Caly who found the net within the first minute. However, the goal was ruled offside.
Still Mgarr United continued pushing forward, with the team earning a penalty just four minutes into it, as Valeria Villegas Caly was brought down in the box. Yulya Carella stepped up and fired into the bottom left corner of the net to send the team in front in the 5th minute.
On their part Lija Athletic were largely focused on maintaining a discipline in shape, but picked an opportunity to go forward with a worked throw-in. Still the attack fizzled out with the Greens following it up with more attacking intent.
Chances piled with Amber Grech picking out Yulya Carella’s run, only for Shakira Bugeja to just do enough to deny the goal. The defence blocked the second shot from Valeria Villegas Caly. The Greens were keen on utilising the pace out wide, with Alejandra Villegas Caly picking out the run of Valeria Villegas Caly on the wing. The Colombian crossed to Yulya Carella whose shot was blocked at the near post once more.
Finding the Lija Athletic defence compact and intent on limiting the damage, Amber Grech and Kayah Abela Sciberras both attempted a couple of shots from distance, but struggled to find the target. Adopting a more patient approach, the Greens created something with short passes to work their way past Lija’s organisation. Yulya Carella snuck behind, before finding Valeria Villegas Caly who squared it to Alejandra Villegas Caly. However, the effort was wide of the mark.
The Greens continued pushing forward, but lacking end product, with a corner delivery from Amber Grech also begging for a touch in the six-yard box that never arrived.
Having had little to do at the back, the Greens had some shaky moments as a short pass allowed Kayleigh Abela to press forward into a challenge with Patricia Ebejer. However, the goalkeeper showed good strength to come away with the ball.
At the other end, Shakira Bugeja was forced to palm over a free-kick from Yanina Mendez, with the stand-in goalkeeper showing good reflexes to keep the team just one goal down at the break.
Half-Time Score: Lija Athletic 0 – 1 Mgarr United
Having had good chances but limited goalscoring return, the Greens looked to increase their tally. Maia Debono came close from a short worked corner routine, with the number seven picked out in the box by Yulya Carella. However the laced finish fizzed just off the far post.
Lija Athletic had a good opportunity to create something in the box from a free-kick into Mgarr United’s half. Lorna-Maria Cassar launched an effort into the box, but found Patricia Ebejer ready to collect.
Yulya Carella used precision to capitalise on the inexperience of the goalkeeper. She delivered the second blow in the 57th minute, with a strike from the wing that found the far right corner.
Frustration grew with the conditions as simple passes became increasingly difficult against the cross-breeze, while bouts of rain continued to persist in the match. Still, key battles ensued, with Lija Athletic’s defence looking to hold off the runs of Mgarr United’s forwards into the box, while Kayah Abela Sciberras and Yanica Zammit were having a particularly meaty tussle on the wing.
Lija Athletic’s Jethron Azzopardi made a switch in the 68th minute, bringing on Elena Deguara at right back, while Hanna Ali gave way. The change released Ylenia Azzopardi into midfield. Further changes ensued for Lija Athletic, with Corinne Deguara taking to the pitch instead of Kayleigh Abela, with Deguara slotting on the left wing and pushing Yanica Zammit into the attack.
However, Mgarr United fired again through Yulya Carella. The number eleven skewed an effort from the right side of the box, that looped into the far left side netting for the third of the evening for the team and herself, in the 70th minute.
Despite the score, Lija Athletic attempted to build something going forward, with Vanessa Honorio Carneiro leading the charge from midfield. The Brazilian picked out Ylenia Azzopardi who ran forward in support and released Corinne Deguara. However, Alejandra Villegas Caly tracked back to take control of the situation.
The Colombian was key in creating the fourth goal for the side. She burst forward toward the box before releasing Valeria Villegas Caly behind the defence. She placed into the right corner of the net to increase the tally in the 76th minute.
Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella picked the opportunity to make his only substitution in the match, with Maria Mizzi taking the place of Leanne Cefai on the pitch. She occupied the right-back position, triggering a re-shuffling of positions across the pitch.
Tired legs and inexperience continued to be exposed by the Greens with Valeria Villegas Caly pushing forward on the left wing undeterred before cutting back a pass to Yulya Carella. She obliged with a placed effort into the net for the fifth goal of the evening in the 77th minute.
Lija Athletic made another forward burst with Nell Zarb Cousin releasing Kylie Pantalleresco on the wing. However, the cross was dealt with by Maria Mizzi.
Jethron Azzopardi made his final swap in attack, bringing on Britney Borg in replacement of Yanica Zammit for the final ten minutes of the match.
Mgarr United closed out the match with the sixth goal in the 84th minute in a similar fashion to the fifth. Valeria Villegas Caly picked out Alejandra Villegas Caly who slotted home the finish from inside the box.
Final Score: Lija Athletic 0 – 6 Mgarr United
Standings & Next Matches
The Greens take their tally to 27 points as they close out their commitments in the calendar year. Lija Athletic remain on 9 points. Elsewhere, Hibernians delivered an 8 – 0 victory against San Gwann.
One would expect the teams to return to commitments in the Assikura Women’s League following the holiday period. However, with fixtures yet to be announced by the Malta Football Association, it is unclear when that may be.
The Greens should face Swieqi United for the final match of round two, while Lija Athletic are expected to face Hibernians on their return. San Gwann return against Valletta.
Today’s double-header at Dingli Ground will close the Assikura Women’s League commitments for the remaining sides before the Christmas break. Birkirkara and Valletta will kick things off at 14:00, before Swieqi United meet Mtarfa at 16:30.
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