by Mgarr United and Hibernians settled for a 1 – 1 draw in the first round of direct confrontations. Valeria Villegas Caly sent Mgarr United into the lead, before Ileana Farrugia equalised for the Paolites. Neither could secure the winner with Hibernians’ Kayleigh Chetcuti denied by the crossbar and Nicole Sciberras seeing her goal cancelled, while Mgarr also failed to make a late chance pay off.
Team Selections
There were changes at the back for Mgarr United. Patricia Ebejer started in goal, while Yanina Mendez started in the trio alongside Leanne Cefai and Rebecca Bajada. Yulya Carella and Alejandra Villegas Caly started as wing-backs, while Amber Grech was partnered in midfield with captain Brenda Borg. Veronique Mifsud operated further forward, while Luz Hernandez and Valeria Villegas Caly led the attack.
On the other hand, consistency was the name of the game for Hibernians. Elizabeth Harrington started behind the trio of Jessica Dimech, Natalee Geren and Georgiana Mifsud. Sarah Vella Barberi and Ileana Farrugia operated as wing-backs, while Kayleigh Chetcuti and Nicole Sciberras started in midfield. Captain Martina Borg operated further forward, with Joelma Alves Gabriel and Alexis Espitia continuing to be trusted in attack.
How It Unfolded
Hibernians’ Natalee Geren tested Patricia Ebejer’s handling early on, with a free-kick from midfield. However, the Mgarr United goalkeeper calmly collected before sending the team on their charge. The Greens broke in the fifth minute, with Brenda Borg riding a challenge in midfield before just managing to release Valeria Villegas Caly who made the central run up field. Chased by four white shirts, just outside the box, she squared it to Luz Hernandez. However, the Argentinian didn’t manage to take it in her stride, with the Paolites recovering.
The match ensued with half chances either way. The Greens kept a close eye on Alexis Espitia who was marshalled down the wing. Nicole Sciberras made a crucial interception from a cross at the other end to deny Yulya Carella a free-strike.
Unable to settle into a consistent attacking momentum, Ryan Vella swapped his wing-backs close to the twentieth minute mark, with Alejandra Villegas Caly being a key driver once more in sparking some real intensity into the Greens attack. She involved Luz Hernandez with a final attempt to release Yulya Carella deflected for a corner. There was a deep delivery but the ball flew untouched.
However, the Greens nudged themselves into the lead in the 26th minute. Veronique Mifsud glided in midfield, before using the outside of her foot to release Valeria Villegas Caly. The Colombian ran between the defenders, before dribbling the goalkeeper and placing low into the net to break the deadlock.
Despite the goal, the game did not open up too much, with both sides still maintaining their discipline in carrying out the plan and plenty of time on the clock. Hibernians put pressure with a corner on the half-hour mark but Mgarr United managed to block Ileana Farrugia and Natalee Geren’s strikes. Mgarr United appeared happy to let their presence be known in midfield, but the Paolites failed to utilise free-kicks to their advantage.
However, Ileana Farrugia got the team back on level terms before the break. The wing-back continued making runs in support. Fizzing an effort from the wing, Hibernians’ number twenty-five looped an attempt that found the far post of the net in the 44th minute.
There were no substitutions at the change of ends, with Hibernians coming very close to going into the lead six minutes into the second half. Alexis Espitia earned a free-kick with an opportunity to put the ball into the box. Mgarr United saw away the initial delivery, but Kayleigh Chetcuti fired a shot from outside the box which clipped the crossbar, before Nicole Sciberras found the net with another strike. However, Adam Brighton’s whistle had already gone off for a foul on Mgarr which cancelled the goal and relieved pressure for the Greens.
The Paolites continued to enjoy the majority of possession and having the more clear intent. Martina Borg managed a cross toward Alexis Espitia, who rose but could not get a clean connection. Changing it up, Nicole Sciberras attempted to find Sarah Vella Barberi’s run on the wing, but could not find the right pace in the pass. Ileana Farrugia was next to cross from the left wing, finding Joelma Alves Gabriel who also got no purchase on the header. Mgarr United attempted to make something of set-pieces, but to no avail.
Both coaches looked to their benches as the final twenty minutes approached. Mgarr United’s Ann-Marie Said made a return on the left-side of the defence, having been sidelined since the end of September. Yulya Carella gave way, with Yanina Mendez taking on the wing-back duties. Meanwhile, there was an attacking switch for Hibernians as Leah Ayres replaced Joelma Alves Gabriel.
Both sides attempted to get the run on defenders but lacking success, with centre-backs Leanne Cefai and Natalee Geren sweeping well. Veronique Mifsud switched it up with a shot from distance, which Elizabeth Harrington palmed over for a corner. However, the Greens could not work the routine to fruition.
The Paolites managed to get closer in the 82nd minute, as Alexis Espitia got a run on the left-wing. Cutting inside for the cross at the byline, she found Martina Borg who kept it alive. However, Ann-Marie Said arrived just in time for the clearance.
The two coaches dipped into their benches once more in the final ten minutes. Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella shored up his defence with Abigail Camilleri replacing Veronique Mifsud. Camilleri slotted between Leanne Cefai and Ann-Marie Said, with Rebecca Bajada released into the wing and Alejandra Villegas Caly into midfield. Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino made a straight swap with Sarah Vella Barberi making way for Chloe Ellul.
The Greens had a major opportunity in the 86th minute with a pass from midfield deflected into the path of Valeria Villegas Caly. However, not realising the time on her hands, she pulled the effort wide of the left post.
As the final minutes approached, Jessica Dimech made a crucial interception to deny Luz Hernandez a free-strike in the box. At the other end, Abigail Camilleri read Martina Borg’s intent to stop Hibernians from going into the final third, with the defences staying on top.
Final Score: Mgarr United 1 – 1 Hibernians
Standings & Next Matches
Hibernians maintain first place, taking their tally to 37 points, but having their lead slashed to just two points following Swieqi United’s 2 – 1 dramatic late win against Birkirkara earlier in the afternoon. Mgarr United equal Birkirkara’s tally on 32, with the two holding the third and fourth place.
The Paolites will confront Swieqi United directly on Saturday (1st February) at Dingli Ground in a 14:00 kick-off. Birkirkara and Mgarr United will battle it out just after, starting at 16:30.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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