Mgarr Maintain Gap With Victory Against San Gwann

by Eleanor Saliba

Mgarr United continued their winning form with a 6 – 1 victory against San Gwann. Maia Debono struck a direct free-kick to get the team going, with Valeria Villegas Caly, Brenda Borg, Alejandra Villegas Caly, Yulya Carella and Luz Hernandez all getting on the scoresheet on the night. Mariama Kasim converted San Gwann’s only goal with a well-taken header.

Team Selections

San Gwann’s Justyne Caruana guarded the goalposts behind a back-four of Lisa Vella, Mariama Kasim, Maria Isabel Otalvarez Rubio and Kirstie Vella. Rhea Borg and Sabrin Blihi protected the defence, with captain Annabelle Rapa and Morena Fanega operating out wide. Rocio Figueredo supported Rodianne Zerafa in attack.

Meanwhile, Giulia D’Antuono started in goal for Mgarr United. Captain Abigail Camilleri returned to the defence alongside Leanne Cefai, with Rebecca Bajada and Yanina Mendez continuing to operate out wide. Maia Debono started in midfield with Amber Grech and Brenda Borg. Yulya Carella and Alejandra Villegas Caly gave width to Valeria Villegas Caly in attack.

How It Unfolded

The Greens churned out early opportunities in search of breaking the San Gwann defence early on. However, Justyne Caruan clutched a corner kick before Yulya Carella forced a save on the other post shortly after, finding the goalkeeper ready once more.

Despite this, Maia Debono struck low and into the near post from a free-kick on the left side of the box, sending Mgarr United into the lead in the 11th minute.

The league leaders pushed for further distance from San Gwann, with Yulya Carella continuing to be a desired outlet. However, Mariama Kasim shut the door before an Amber Grech release was carried effectively by the wind to deny Carella another opportunity. Yanina Mendez struck from the other side, but found Justyne Caruana ready to make the block once more.

Having taken plenty of early pressure, San Gwann started to make inroads of their own as the 20th minute expired. Morena Fanega pushed into midfield unafraid to attempt the dribble, but forced back to Lisa Vella. She directed first time to Rodianne Zerafa, who was next to try to wade through herself and found the door shut by the Greens’ defence.

San Gwann were unafraid to go long, with Annabelle Rapa offerring a good outlet out wide which Sabrin Blihi picked with a long-range pace. Rapa linked with Rodianne Zerafa looking for the combination, but Abigail Camilleri shut the door once more.

At the other end, Mgarr United’s Alejandra Villegas Caly rose to meet a good cross from Rebecca Bajada. However, the header fizzed wide of the far post, in what set the story for a few more similar chances on the night with Villegas Caly also having another similar opportunity later on, this time set up by a cross from Yanina Mendez. Brenda Borg also saw an effort fizz just wide of the near post, connecting with a cross from Yulya Carella.

However, Mgarr United’s creative machine was churning chances well and they found the comfort of a two goal cushion in the 26th minute. Though Yulya Carella’s initial shot was saved, Valeria Villegas Caly made sure of the rebound.

Siblings Valeria Villegas Caly (right) and Alejandra Villegas Caly continued their goalscoring form for the Greens, though both also denied by the woodwork on the night. Credit: Brandon Bonett.

San Gwann’s intent to get Rodianne Zerafa to hold up play and mount attacks was clear. However, they continued to find Mgarr United ready to close down every ball.

Half-Time Score: San Gwann 0 – 2 Mgarr United

Substitutes ensued from both sides at the break. Thais Muscat and Kirsty Paris took to the pitch instead of Sabrin Blihi and Rhea Borg for San Gwann. Meanwhile, there was a change in goal for Mgarr United as Patricia Ebejer replaced Giulia D’Antuono.

Mgarr United hit the pitch with a target to extend and did so inside the fifth minute of the half. Brenda Borg slipped the finish past Justyne Caruana, with Valeria Villegas Caly placing the pass across following quick combinations to play themselves past the San Gwann defence.

Alejandra Villegas Caly made it four just three minutes later, placing low into the near left corner, assisted by a neat mid-air back-heel from sibling Valeria Villegas Caly.

The duo were teased by the crossbar moments later, with both looking to finish off an attack, but seeing their efforts clip the woodwork, with the last one bouncing out of the pitch.

Still, the Mgarr United train kept churning and Yulya Carella celebrated the fifth in the 57th minute from close range, despite Justyne Caruana getting something on it.

Changes ensued from both coaches, with Estelle Borg and Nilayza Attard taking to the pitch for San Gwann in straight swaps with Rodianne Zerafa and Lisa Vella. Mgarr United’s Maia Debono was replaced by Gaia Antonelli, before Ryan Vella also shuffled hist defence with Angele Fenech replacing Rebecca Bajada and Milena Stagno taking to the pitch instead of Yanina Mendez. Luz Hernandez made a return from injury replacing Alejandra Villegas Caly.

Despite having taken on plenty, San Gwann were rewarded for their positive intent in attack in the 76th minute. Morena Fanega curled a free-kick delivery from deep on the left wing, finding Mariama Kasim ready to redirect a header into the net.

Mariama Kasim churned out the shift both in defence and in attack for San Gwann on the night, with the defender heading home San Gwann’s only goal of the night. Credit: Brandon Bonett.

However, Mgarr United’s win was wrapped up by a goalscoring return for Luz Hernandez, who tapped home the final finish of the evening in the 85th minute.

Final Score: San Gwann 1 – 6 Mgarr United

Standings & Next Matches

Mgarr United maintain the gap with the victory against San Gwann. The Greens will return against Birkirkara on Saturday at the Charles Abela Stadium at 18:00. Meanwhile, San Gwann will prepare themselves for a direct confrontation against Valletta on Thursday at the Centenary Stadium (20:15).