by Mgarr United and Hibernians remained deadlocked at 0 – 0 in a hotly contested first encounter. Mgarr United’s Valeria Villegas Caly came closest to a winning goal, hitting the crossbar early on in the match. While both sides had looks on a few chances, neither side could create the decisive breach, with the defences coming out on top.
Team Selections
Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella made a change in goal, with Giulia D’Antuono making her first start since returning from long-term injury. There were no changes at the back, with Leanne Cefai and Abigail Camilleri holding the centre of defence, while Rebecca Bajada and Yanina Mendez offered the width. Maia Debono anchored in front of the defence, behind the creative partnership of Veronique Mifsud and captain Brenda Borg. In attack, Yulya Carella and Alejandra Villegas Caly flanked Valeria Villegas Caly.
On the other hand, Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino kept faith in Liz Harrington in goal. There were no changes at the back, with the trio of Jessica Dimech, Natalee Geren and Amy Busuttil protecting the goalkeeper. Ileana Farrugia and Chloe Ellul continued occupying the wing-back duties, while Nicole Sciberras and Kayleigh Chetcuti partnered each other in midfield. Leah Ayres spearheaded the attack, flanked by captain Martina Borg and Alexis Espitia.
How It Unfolded
The whistle blew to the fast-paced, highly physical and engrossing encounter that many expected to see develop between the two. Mgarr United almost struck gold within five minutes, following a free-kick that Hibernians strongly argued against after Kayleigh Chetcuti appeared to take the ball.
Veronique Mifsud delivered onto the head of Valeria Villegas Caly who struck the crossbar with the header, injecting belief into the Mgarr United bench. The same striker managed to get a shot away a few minutes later, but Liz Harrington was equal to the effort at the near post.
The tackles continued flying in, with several free-kicks awarded on the night. Hibernians’ Chloe Ellul took charge, delivering toward Natalee Geren, but the header lacked the pace to trouble the Greens. Martina Borg attempted to release Leah Ayres behind the Greens’ defence shortly after from open play, but Giulia D’Antuono read the danger.
The high intensity affair continued, with neither side able to settle on the ball. Both sides had strong spells, with Hibernians appearing to have the slighter edge as the quarter of an hour went past.
However, Yanina Mendez fired a diagonal ball toward Yulya Carella, who crossed toward Veronique Mifsud. She did well to cushion the volley but was still wide of the mark.
Still, the chance shifted momentum toward the Greens, with Veronique Mifsud able to line two free-kicks from good positions shortly after. However, she could not work Liz Harrington with the efforts.
Natalee Geren was having a tough time of things, twice needing treatment as tackles clattered along the pitch. With the momentum firmly with Mgarr United, Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino was urging calm and focus in his team, who were handing possession too cheaply.
The half-hour mark saw the Greens work another diagonal, this time through captain Brenda Borg, who released Yulya Carella. However, Liz Harrington was off her line to meet her, snuffing out the chance by collecting before Carella could strike.
The Paolites sprung into life shortly after. Leah Ayres, fed Alexis Espitia wide and the American crossed deep into the box. However, Rebecca Bajada was ready to head away at the far post.
Hibernians had the better final third action as the half drew to a close. Nicole Sciberras was next to feed Ileana Farrugia who darted forward, but her cross was dealt with by Yanina Mendez. Jessica Dimech also launched a long ball from the back, which Leah Ayres was keen on. However, this time it was Leanne Cefai who shuffled across to deal with the danger, sending the two teams level into the break.
The second half kicked off in the same vein. Valeria Villegas Caly attempted to release her sister Alejandra Villegas Caly in the 51st minute. However, she too found Liz Harrington quick to meet her. The Greens worked a corner shortly after with Harrington punching away Abigail Camilleri’s delivery.
As the half kicked off, Joelma Alves Gabriel was dispatched by Kenneth Costantino against her former club, replacing Leah Ayres.
Mgarr United’s Veronique Mifsud lined another free-kick from distance, this time aiming for the top right corner. However, Liz Harrington was up to the task to make the catch.
Having struggled to get through midfield, Hibernians decided to go direct. Amy Busuttil delivered a long-ball which Alexis Espitia latched onto. However, her decision to cut inside allowed Mgarr United’s defence to recover possession in the penalty box.
Hibernians continued to thrust forward, earning themselves the opportunity to put the ball into the box through Joelma Alves Gabriel on the hour mark. The Brazilian tested Giulia D’Antuono, however the goalkeeper made a spectacular dive to get both hands on the ball at full stretch as it headed toward the top left corner. The resulting corner was defended well at the near post by the Greens.
The hard-fought battle ensued with the list of bookings starting to rack up as the hour mark expired. Yanina Mendez and Alexis Espitia were having a good introduction, with the two leaving their mark on each other. However, it was Leanne Cefai that landed in the book in the 66th minute for impeding the American on the right wing.
Despite this, Chloe Ellul’s delivery was headed away by Veronique Mifsud. Amy Busuttil was the next to have her number taken after stopping Valeria Villegas Caly on the counter-attack.
With things in the balance at the 70th minute approached, Kenneth Costantino freshened things up. Yolande Attard took to the pitch in replacement of Ileana Farrugia.
Hibernians worked a long-throw through Jessica Dimech, with Yolande Attard’s strike deflected for a corner. However, the delivery was easy enough for the Greens at the near post. The Greens attempted to counter, but Natalee Geren was equal to Valeria Villegas Caly, before stopping Yulya Carella at the byline a few minutes later.
The Greens made their only swap in the 76th minute, bringing on Amber Galea in replacement of Yulya Carella.
The Paolites had a major break as the final ten minutes rolled in, catching Mgarr United in possession in midfield. Nicole Sciberras and Martina Borg looked to play a quick combination to slip the Hibernians captain behind the Greens defence. However, Giulia D’Antuono was off her line to get something on the ball, before Joelma Alves Gabriel was closed down as she attempted to open the space for a shot from the loose ball.
Yanina Mendez was the next to land in the book in the 82nd minute. Joelma Alves Gabriel delivered towards Natalee Geren, but the Greens blocked the shot. Kenneth Costantino made a final switch in the 86th minute, bringing on Rodianne Zerafa in replacement of Martina Borg. Rebecca Bajada was the next to land in the book in the final throes after leaving her mark on Alexis Espitia. However, the free-kick delivery was overcooked, letting Mgarr United off the hook.
The congested play continued until the end, with neither side really able to get the winning moment, sending them home all square.
Final Score: Mgarr United 0 – 0 Hibernians
Next Matches
The two teams walk home with a point apiece, taking their tally to four points. Mgarr United will return against Valletta on Saturday 14th September at 20:30 at Dingli Ground. On the other hand, Hibernians will continue their campaign against Mtarfa on Thursday 12th September at the Centenary Stadium, 20:15.
The Assikura Women’s League will break off for the week, as Birkirkara host the UEFA Women’s Champions League matches of CP Group 4 at the Centenary Stadium on the 4th and 7th of September. They welcome RSC Anderlecht, Red Star Belgrade and Breznica Pljevlja.
Make sure to never miss an Assikura Women’s League match by syncing your calendar here.
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[…] Mgarr United struck the post against Hibernians, but could not find a winning goal, with the two sharing the points on the first encounter of the […]