by Mgarr United showed no signs of a detrimental impact by the international break, cruising to a 6 – 0 victory against San Gwann. The Greens headed into the break with a comfortable lead courtesy of a brace by Luz Hernandez and goals by Alejandra Villegas Caly and Yulya Carella. Ines N’Guessan added to the lead after the break, before captain Brenda Borg marked a complete return from injury by hitting home the last goal of the match.
Team Selections
Mgarr United kicked off their return to domestic commitments with Giulia D’Antuono guarding the goal. Abigail Camilleri captained the side, marshalling the defence alongside Leanne Cefai, with Rebecca Bajada and Yanina Mendez operating on the wings. Maia Debono and Amber Grech operated in front of the defence, with Alejandra Villegas Caly orchestrating further forward. Yulya Carella and Luz Hernandez provided the width, with Ines N’Guessan leading the attack.
Meanwhile, Justyne Caruana returned in goal for San Gwann, behind a trio of Kirstie Vella, Sabrin Blihi and Mariama Kasim. Fatma Al Girbi partnered Rhea Borg in midfield, with Naila Addo and captain Annabelle Rapa providing the width. Hailey Russell and Morena Fanega sought to be the creative outlet behind Estelle Borg in attack.
How It Unfolded
San Gwann took to the pitch donning a new kit, with a spring in their step and a target to frustrate the league leaders. Referee Huseyin Baykus was looking to stay on top of things, signalling for a new ball four minutes into the match due to the current one’s lack of pressure.
Early corner kick opportunities ebbed away for both sides, with the defences on their game. However, Mgarr United took charge of possession as expected with the chances racking up.
The Greens were celebrating by the tenth minute. Luz Hernandez latched onto a ball over the top, catching Justyne Caruana out of position with the Argentinian slotting it into the far left corner of the net.
Further frowns appeared on the San Gwann bench as Annabelle Rapa hit the deck, needing extended treatment. However, the captain soldiered on.
The Greens kept up the intent and a high-line, keeping San Gwann well into their half and Giulia D’Antuono fairly lonely at the other end. Abigail Camilleri was denied a goal, rising to head home an Amber Grech delivery from the corner flag.
However, Alejandra Villegas Caly was rewarded for her work rate just after the half-hour mark. The Colombian sped on the wing before crossing to Yulya Carella. The youngster cut inside for the shot which Justyne Caruana parried. However, Alejandra Villegas Caly powered the rebound into the back of the net to double the scoring.
Huseyin Baykus dipped into his pocked just a minute later, with Fatma Al Girbi next to land in the book underneath Mariama Kasim, as the side looked to contain the increasing barrage of attacks.
However, Luz Hernandez was celebrating once more in the 36th minute, firing a shot from distance that hugged the roof of the net on its way in.
The Argentinian settled for the assist in the 43rd minute. Most alert to a live ball, Hernandez drove into the byline before placing to cross for Yulya Carella to tap home the finish.
Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 4 – 0 San Gwann
Ryan Vella made a switch at the break, with Gaia Antonelli replacing Luz Hernandez, with Alejandra Villegas Caly pushed out wide.
The Greens almost seemed to pick up right where they left off, but Alejandra Villegas Caly was denied the celebration of a goal by the offside flag of Petkovoska Beti.
San Gwann’s Morena Fanega responded with a well placed shot from distance, but Giulia D’Antuono was alert to shuffle to get the hand on it before collecting.
However, the imbalance of play continued to unfold, with Mgarr looking to inflict further damage. Ines N’Guessan made it five in the 57th minute, rising home to head home the delivery from Yanina Mendez’s inswinging corner.
There was a wholesome cheer from the Mgarr United faithful as the Greens’ captain, Brenda Borg, made the much awaited return from injury just after, with Abigail Camilleri exchanging the armband. Borg replaced Maia Debono in midfield.
She appeared to take to her return like a duck to water, completing the appearance with a goal to boot just six minutes later. Alejandra Villegas Caly continued causing problems on the wing, with her shot palmed by Justyne Caruana, only to find Brenda Borg ready to tap home a low finish into the net.
Further changes ensued from both benches. Julian Camilleri made a triple change with Annabelle Rapa, Kirstie Vella and Estelle Borg all making way for Lisa Vella, Nilayza Attard and Rodianne Zerafa. Alicia Mifsud and Thais Muscat also appeared later on with Fatma Al Girbi and Rhea Borg making way.
Ryan Vella gave Rebecca Bajada, Abigail Camilleri and Amber Grech an early rest, with Angele Fenech, Maria Mizzi and a debuting Shania Spiteri taking to the pitch in their stead.
At the other end, San Gwann had one major chance to ruin the Greens’ clean sheet with Hailey Russell driving with purpose through midfield. However, having done the hard work to get into the box, the forward faltered in the finish, with the effort fizzing on the wrong side of the near post.
Mgarr kept up the chase for more. Shania Spiteri was denied a debuting goal, with her shot also landing just wide of the far right post, before Yulya Carella fired a dipping shot from distance with Justyne Caruana forced into a diving save. Huseyin Baykus sounded the full time whistle just after.
Final Score: Mgarr United 6 – 0 San Gwann
Standings & Next Matches
Mgarr United keep their unbeaten charge at the top of the table, with San Gwann having further questions to answer in preparing for the following the match.
The Greens will set sights on the Jubilee Cup semi-final, where they will face Swieqi United on Saturday 15th November at the Centenary Stadium (KO 17:30). San Gwann will have a longer turnaround having been knocked out of the competition. They will return in a direct confrontation against Valletta on the 21st November at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
Before then, the Assikura Women’s League will throw up two further battles this Saturday, with Swieqi United facing Birkirkara at the Centenary Stadium at 16:30, before Valletta take on Hibernians at the Charles Abela Stadium (18:00).
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Brandon Bonett
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Valletta – Hibernians is now expected to kick off at 19:00. I like that the two Saturday matches no longer overlap, but the way this round’s fixtures have been moved around, it’s certainly easy to lose track.