Mgarr Maintain Unbeaten Streak With Second Half Comeback Against Swieqi

by Eleanor Saliba

Mgarr United roared back for a 3 – 1 victory against Swieqi United to extend their lead at the top to six points. Sara Saliba sent Swieqi ahead from the penalty spot in the opening half. However, another belter by Amber Grech kickstarted the comeback for the Greens which was completed by Valeria Villegas Caly and Alejandra Villegas Caly.

Team Selections

Patricia Araujo continued her stay in goal for Swieqi United. Sarah Urpani and Emma Xuereb continued protecting the flanks, while Valentina Rapa returned to the starting eleven alongside Tammy Falzon. Andjela Kricak and captain Shona Zammit operated in midfield in the company of Michaela Cachia. Sara Saliba returned to the starting eleven to spearhead the attack alongside Aleksandra Yaneva and Salamatu Abdulai.

Giulia D’Antuono continued her stay in goal for Mgarr United. There were no changes in defence with Rebecca Bajada and Yanina Mendez continued to operate alongside captain Abigail Camilleri and Leanne Cefai. Amber Grech and Maia Debono continued their stay in midfield. Yulya Carella and Valeria Villegas Caly operated on the flanks, with Alejandra Villegas Caly supporting Ines N’Guessan in attack.

How It Unfolded

There was no denying the importance of the match, with the two sides kicking off with one eye on each other and neither willing too give too much away. The onus on Swieqi was evident with the side hungrier to win the ball and make something, though patient in approach.

Both goalkeepers were relatively safe until around the 20th minute, with Aleksandra Yaneva darting inside and attempting to curl one at the far post but finding Giulia D’Antuono ready to collect.

The Greens upped the pace, with the side looking to find a way to make something of nothing and release Ines N’Guessan. However, Tammy Falzon was ready to make the tackle, before dealing with a cross later on.

Mgarr United’s corner attempts continued to be headed away by Aleksandra Yaneva at the near post, with Swieqi United attempting to make something from the counter. Aleksandra Yaneva was released well from Patricia Araujo with the Bulgarian making up ground on the wing before finding Sara Saliba in support. The youngster feinted to open space for the shot, but Giulia D’Antuono was off her line to close the shot.

At the other end, Valeria Villegas Caly tested the Swieqi defence, with Sarah Urpani clearing the resulting cross. However, Rebecca Bajada delivered the diagonal to get Yulya Carella on goal at the far left of the box moments later, though the youngster could not keep it on target.

The Greens fashioned a major opportunity on the break with the entire four in attack all involved. Alejandra Villegas Caly sped forward finding her sister, who decided to square it to Yulya Carella. However, she could not time the effort.

Having dealt with the pressure, Swieqi United punished in transition with Andjela Kricak carrying forward in acres of space before releasing Sara Saliba with a well-weighted ball. Cutting onto her left once in the box, Adam Brighton pointed to the spot for a clip on the forward. The youngster appeared cool as she slotted it low into the right side of the net to give Swieqi the lead in the 32nd minute.

Sara Saliba slotting home the penalty kick, but it was not enough for the Owls on the night. Credit: Lara Schembri.

The Owls backed it up with another major opportunity in the 38th minute, with Salamatu Abdulai sitting down her marker on the turn before finding Sara Saliba. However, this time the shot lacked the precision, rising over the bar.

Mgarr United made a play for a late equaliser with Valeria Villegas Caly testing Patricia Araujo from distance. However, the Brazilian parried for a corner, which Aleksandra Yaneva was ready to defend once more.

Swieqi United’s attempt for a transition was almost handed to them but a lengthened stride allowed Rebecca Bajada to swoop in for the clearance, before Andjela Kricak fired off target before the whistle.

Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 1 – 0 Mgarr United

The second half kicked off with end to end action as Mgarr United broke with pace against a Swieqi United corner. Alejandra Villegas Caly and Valeria Villegas Caly combined, with the latter blasting a powerful effort but finding a strong hand from Patricia Araujo. However, Swieqi United equally dealt with the delivery courtesy of a header by Valentina Rapa.

The Owls almost played themselves into trouble moments later, with Patricia Araujo pressed on a back-pass but managing to clear in time.

The dynamics in midfield shifted as Swieqi United were forced into a change. Andjela Kricak was replaced by Ema Micallef five minutes into the second half, the only substitution in the entire match.

Patricia Araujo called for treatment moments later with the two tacticians sneaking in a few instructions in the meantime. Trailing by just the one goal, Mgarr United asked further questions with Sarah Urpani forced to make the block on a shot by Yulya Carella, before Patricia Araujo made the save against a deflected effort from Rebecca Bajada.

Swieqi United earned the opportunity to go two up with a free-kick earned by Sara Saliba which sent Leanne Cefai in the book. However, Giulia D’Antuono reacted well to the shot by Aleksandra Yaneva.

Though Swieqi United appeared keen on suffocating play and killing off the momentum, the Greens attempted to make the most of the press, earning another major opportunity to equalise through Yulya Carella. However, the youngster flicked it just wide on the stretch.

Having continued to ask questions of the defence, the Greens equalised in the 67th minute, courtesy of another belter by Amber Grech. Valeria Villegas Caly switched it to find her run on the far right of the box. The midfielder swung a boot at it to land it into the far left corner of the net, before delivering the acrobatics on the celebration.

Amber Grech delivered the finish and the celebration, just before being engulfed by the team. Credit: Lara Schembri.

On the hunt to maintain their unbeaten streak, the Greens fired up another major opportunity with Yulya Carella continuing to be found with the diagonal in space. However, the youngster fired straight at Patricia Araujo.

Despite this, Valeria Villegas Caly came up with the goods in the 72nd minute to send the Greens two up. Released behind with one straight pass, the Colombian dinked it into the near left post to send the side ahead for the first time.

The train kept pushing with momentum on its side and Alejandra Villegas Caly was next to deliver the goal to seal off the win in the 79th minute. Valeria Villegas Caly fed it across the box, with Alejandra Villegas Caly nutmegging Patricia Araujo with the central finish into the net.

Swieqi United’s urgency for a response was mostly led by Sara Saliba, but the youngster could not trouble Giulia D’Antuono with the shots. Mgarr United stuck to the forward momentum generated in search of keeping Swieqi United penned in with the side welcoming the full time whistle marking the double over Swieqi in the league.

Final Score: Swieqi United 1 – 3 Mgarr United

Standings & Next Matches

Mgarr United make it six wins out of six in the league, with the Greens opening a six point lead at the top at the start of the second round. The Assikura Women’s League will be on hiatus for the upcoming week. Mgarr United will return on the 18th October, against Valletta at Dingli Ground at 18:00. Swieqi United will seek to bounce back against San Gwann at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on the 17th at 20:30.

However, before then, tonight presents the fixture between Valletta and Birkirkara at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30), while tomorrow will set Hibernians against San Gwann at the Charles Abela Stadium (18:00).