Mgarr Hand First Defeat To Hibernians To Close Gap At The Top

Mgarr United downed Hibernians by 3 – 0 on home turf in an open contest that had plenty going at either end. Valeria Villegas Caly and Alejandra Villegas Caly score a goal apiece to send the Greens comfortable into the break.

Hibernians failed to convert a penalty on the restart, which was further punished by an Olimpico from Yanina Mendez who closed things off for the Greens. Mgarr United’s Brenda Borg and Hibernians’ Leah Ayres were both denied by the crossbar, while there was also a late direct sending off for Hibernians.

Team Selections

Elizabeth Harrington started in goal for Hibernians. Kenneth Costantino stuck with his system, deploying youngster Amber Galea alongside Jessica Dimech and Amy Busuttil, in the absence of Natalee Geren. Yolande Attard and Ileana Farrugia started on the wings, while Nicole Sciberras and Kayleigh Chetcuti continued to operate in midfield. Alexis Espitia led the attack in the company of Joelma Alves Gabriel and captain Martina Borg.

Meanwhile, Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella started with Giulia D’Antuono in goal protected by an unchanged defence in Rebecca Bajada, Leanne Cefai, Abigail Camilleri and Yanina Mendez. Maia Debono continued to operate in midfield with captain Brenda Borg and Veronique Mifsud. Alejandra Villegas Caly returned from injury, starting on the flank in attack, alongside Valeria Villegas Caly and Yulya Carella.

How It Unfolded

The importance of the three points at stake were made clear from the first whistle, with Hibernians applying an early spell of pressure. Kayleigh Chetcuti tested Giulia D’Antuono with a swerving shot but the goalkeeper was well positioned to make the save before the Mgarr United defence cleared their line. Ileana Farrugia also managed a shot but found the Greens’ goalkeeper ready once more.

Having survived early pressures, Mgarr United started to get more joy up the right flank, with Rebecca Bajada most involved in starting things. The full-back earned the side a free-kick which Veronique Mifsud delivered toward the box, but Hibernians cleared the initial delivery, before the rebound effort was skied by Alejandra Villegas Caly.

However, the Greens broke the deadlock with a splitting counter-attack within the first quarter of an hour. Valeria Villegas Caly surged with the ball, before releasing sister Alejandra Villegas Caly. The forward made good on her return from injury, pushing toward goal before finding the far right corner with a precise effort to beat Elizabeth Harrington.

Hibernians attempted to respond, with Joelma Alves Gabriel becoming more potent in carrying the team forward. The Brazilian earned the side a free-kick and fired with venom but saw her effort lack just enough curl to find the bottom right corner.

As expected, the game continued heating up with no holds barred. Alexis Espitia and Rebecca Bajada continued leaving their mark on each other on the flank, before Leanne Cefai also left her mark on the forward. Though less cagey, the midfield battle continued with Hibernians keen on making their way back into the match.

On the other hand, the referee, Abbas Faron, was keen on a close eye on proceedings, dishing out a booking for Alexis Espitia for shooting the ball in frustration following an offside flag, while also utilising the advantage rule in search of keeping things flowing in the match.

The Paolites threatened from a short corner as the half-hour expired. Joelma Alves Gabriel delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal. Amy Busuttil knocked it at the far post, but Nicole Sciberras’ first-time volley was off the mark.

However, Mgarr United responded with another blow in the 39th minute with a goal identical to the first. This time it was Brenda Borg releasing Valeria Villegas Caly, who powered past her marker before flicking a low finish into the back of the net to double the lead.

Once more, Hibernians looked to find an immediate response as Alexis Espitia picked out a cross into the box. However, Giulia D’Antuono commanded the box to get to the ball ahead of Joelma Alves Gabriel, with the goalkeeper needing some treatment following the act.

Mgarr United were in no mood to take their foot of the gas, but Hibernians survived two corner deliveries with Elizabeth Harrington staying lively in the box. Brenda Borg also tested the goalkeeper from distance, only to be denied by the crossbar.

Half-Time Score: Hibernians 0 – 2 Mgarr United

There were no substitutions at the break from either side, with another match-defining moment arriving at the 47th minute as Alexis Espitia was brought down into the box, earning the Paolites a penalty and a chance to get back into the game. However, Joelma Alves Gabriel pulled the low effort just wide of the left corner.

Mgarr United rubbed salt into the wounds, finding the third goal in the 50th minute, courtesy of an olimpico from Yanina Mendez.

As the scoreline grew but still having time on the clock, the Paolites’ sought their leaders to narrow the gap. The team looked to create something with a direct ball from Kayleigh Chetcuti who picked out Alexis Espitia’s run. However, Giulia D’Antuono stayed big enough to deny the American from dribbling past her. Comfortable in the lead, Mgarr United picked their opportunities to go forward.

Substitutions ensued from either side. Mgarr United’s Yanina Mendez was relieved by Amber Grech, with the latter occupying a forward role, while Alejandra Villegas Caly shifted to the defence. There was a swap in the wings for Hibernians, with Yolande Attard making way for Chloe Ellul, while Kenneth Costantino made an attacking switch, deploying Leah Ayres in attack, replacing defender Amy Busuttil.

Referee Abbas Faron maintained his stance, dishing out another booking to Valeria Villegas Caly who for an identical show of frustration to that exhibited by Alexis Espitia earlier in the match. However, frustrations continue to rise as time-wasting tactics continued to take to the fore.

Valeria Villegas Caly was next to depart the pitch for Mgarr United, replaced by Rodiana Borg, who slotted in the full back position, shifting Alejandra Villegas Caly to the attack once more. Hibernians’ Alexis Espitia was replaced by Rodianne Zerafa.

Hibernians’ night continued to sour as substitutes Chloe Ellul and Leah Ayres combined well, only for the forward’s looped effort from distance to rattle the crossbar. The Paolites earned themsleves a few corner opportunities which travelled in the box, but the Greens withstood the pressure.

At the other end, Amber Galea and Jessica Dimech both denied releases for Mgarr United, in search of limiting further damage. However, Galea’s night was ended a few minutes early, with referee Abbas Faron dishing out a straight red against the young defender following a late tackle on Brenda Borg who was closing in on the box. The Mgarr United skipper took charge of the resulting free-kick but curled it wide of the mark.

Both teams had late opportunities in injury time. Martina Borg flicked a ball for Leah Ayres to strike first time in the box, but Giulia D’Antuono was off her line to take the sting out once more, determined on maintaining her clean sheet. At the other end, Mgarr United exposed the numbers advantage with another counter-attack, but Veronique Mifsud could not find the net with the finish.

Final Score: Hibernians 0 – 3 Mgarr United

San Gwann Win Over Mtarfa, Standings & Next Matches

Mgarr United’s win closes things at the top of the table. The Greens take their tally to 18 points, while Hibernians remain on 20 points. The result opens the door for Birkirkara to take first place (19 points) later this afternoon if they get the better of Lija Athletic. Likewise, Swieqi United will be seeking to maintain pace, currently sitting with 16 points and a chance to make them 19, should they win against Valletta this afternoon.

Mgarr United will return to action against Valletta on Friday 8th November, at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30). Hibernians will seek to bounce back against Mtarfa on Saturday (9th) at Dingli Ground (14:00).

Meanwhile, San Gwann had a strong return against Mtarfa on the same night at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, winning the match by 9 – 0. Chaimaa Tourki scored a poker, while Hailey Russell grabbed another hat-trick. Captain Annabelle Rapa and Fatma Al Girbi completed the scoring. The victory ensures that San Gwann maintain the battle for fifth, taking their points tally to double digits.

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