by Mgarr United delivered a blistering opening half to secure a 5 – 0 win against Valletta. Four goals in ten minutes secured a comfortable lead at the break, through a brace from Valeria Villegas Caly and goals apiece by Ines N’Goussan and Yanina Mendez. Valletta’s day was worsened by a late own goal sealing the result. Eliza Csik (Valletta), Maia Debono (Mgarr) and Amber Grech (Mgarr) were all denied by the woodwork.
Team Selections
Valletta’s Anton Cremona gave Dorienne Grech a first start in goal since the veteran joined the citizens. Sarah Micallef also debuted with the side as captain in the absence of Joelma Alvees Gabriel. She partnered Shakira Bugeja in defence, with Maria Abdilla and Lorna Cassar occupying the flanks. Eliza Csik debuted in midfield with Edera Marmara’ and Hannah Fenech. Catrina Magri and Sarah Fenech operated wide, while Liliana Cohete led the attack.
Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella also made a change in goal, with Patricia Ebejer making the start. Kayah Abela Sciberras started in defence with Leanne Cefai, captain Abigail Camilleri and Yanina Mendez. Amber Grech and Maia Debono continued to hold the midfield, while Rebecca Bajada and Valeria Villegas Caly operated wide. Alejandra Villegas Caly supported Ines N’Goussan up top.
How It Unfolded
The Greens showed every sign of a team that learned their lesson from last season, kicking off with high intensity and pushing high into Valletta’s defensive half from the off.
Maia Debono was first to let fly from close to the box following a defended corner, before Amber Grech also tried her luck from distance. The first major opportunity arrived in the 9th minute, with Alejandra Villegas Caly delivering a low cross into Ines N’Goussan. However, her attempted flick was well reacted to by Dorienne Grech.
Despite this, Alejandra Villegas Caly was an effective nuisance to earn a penalty as she made a dart into the box on the quarter hour mark. Valeria Villegas Caly showed no hesitation to slot it into the bottom left corner.
Mgarr United doubled their lead just three minutes later from a corner delivery. Valletta did not clear the first ball, with the loose attempt landing at the far post where Ines N’Goussan tapped it home unmarked.
However, the Citizens roared back through Eliza Csik for their best chance of the night in the 19th minute. The Hungarian fired a thunderbolt from outside the box that had Patricia Ebejer backpeddling before rattling the crossbar. Sarah Fenech arrived for the rebound but did not realise the amount of time for the shot and skewed the effort on the first-time volley.
The Greens made sure to punish in full effect with the third goal arriving in the 22nd minute. Valeria Villegas Caly finished off the cross from Rebecca Bajada in acrobatic fashion to find the left side of the net. Dorienne Grech got fingertips but was beaten by the power from close range.
Valletta earned themselves the opportunity to make something from a free-kick. However, Abigail Camilleri saw off Shakira Bugeja’s delivery for a corner, which the Greens dealt with.
Yanina Mendez was next to get on the scoreboard to make it four in the 25th minute. The Argentinian was unstoppable on the left wing, before darting inside and firing into the near corner of the net.
One-way traffic continued to trouble Valletta who invited more pressure by kicking long, with Amber Grech and Maia Debono orchestrating in midfield to good effect. However, both midfielders were denied their name on the team sheet, with the two striking the crossbar on separate occasions before half-time.
Half-Time Score: Valletta 0 – 4 Mgarr United
Both coaches freshened their team at the break. Both sides had a swap in goal with Gabriella Grima and Giulia D’Antuono taking to the pitch for Valletta and Mgarr, respectively. Danicia Ciantar and Ulani Belkis took to midfield for Valletta instead of Hannah Fenech and Catrina Magri. Meanwhile, Maria Mizzi, Angele Fenech and Milena Stagno came on in defence. They replaced Alejandra Villegas Caly, Valeria Villegas Caly and Yanina Mendez, triggering a shuffle in positions with Kayah Abela Sciberras shifting to left wing, while Leanne Cefai moved into midfield.
The Greens picked up where they left off with Ines N’Goussan on another charge. However, she had to settle for a corner against Gabriella Grima, with Valletta seeing away the threat.
The Citizens improved their standing in midfield but continued to show signs of a team in the making, with some frustration creeping in as players struggled to meet on the same wavelength when attempting to go into attack. Danicia Ciantar linked well with Sarah Fenech, but Liliana Cohete continued to be a cut-off figure with attempts to chase behind the Mgarr defence nipped in the bud by the alert Abigail Camilleri.
Meanwhile, Mgarr were keen on picking their spots in adding to their tally. Sarah Micallef was called into action against a powerful effort from Rebecca Bajada. The substitutes continued to work to good effect with Maria Mizzi linking play to Ines N’Goussan on the wing. The French forward delivered the cutback from the byline which Angele Fenech fired goalward. However, Maria Abdilla was next to make the block.
Maia Debono was denied by the woodwork for a second time with a shot from distance targeted for the far corner, before Amber Grech’s attempt for the rebound sailed over the bar.
Despite this the Greens finished off the score in the 82nd minute. A corner delivery from Abigail Camilleri caused enough trouble for an own goal headed into Valletta’s net by Maria Abdilla.
Final substitutes were introduced by Anton Cremona, with Leona Carabott and Kristina Zammit taking to the pitch instead of Maria Abdilla and Liliana Cohete.
The Citizens had two opportunities late on, with Shakira Bugeja’s free-kick delivery finding Lorna Cassar. However, Giulia D’Antuono was untroubled with the header lacking pace. The side had one final opportunity before the full time whistle from a short corner routine. Eliza Csik played it to Shakira Bugeja who whipped it in. Sarah Fenech fired low but Giulia D’Antuono was alert with the save once more to keep the clean sheet intact.
Final Score: Valletta 0 – 5 Mgarr United
Next Matches
The Greens make it two wins out of two, with no goals conceded thus far. They will return to league action on Friday 12th against San Gwann at the Charles Abela Stadium at 20:30. Valletta will earn some time to recuperate and face off against Hibernians at Dingli Ground on Saturday 13th at 20:30.
Tonight presents the final match of the weekend as Swieqi United take on San Gwann at the Centenary Stadium at 20:30. Both teams head into it following defeats in their opening matches.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Brandon Bonett
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