by Mgarr United secured a 4 – 0 victory against Valletta to go into the break with a three match win-streak. Valeria Villegas Caly broke the deadlock and also found the net from the spot. Yulya Carella and substitute Kayah Abela Sciberras completed the scoring. More than half the match was played under subdued lighting, despite extensive works carried out at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in recent weeks.
Team Selections
Giulia D’Antuono continued her stay in goal for Mgarr United. She was protected by a back-three consisting of Maia Debono, Leanne Cefai and Abigail Camilleri. Amber Galea occupied the deepest midfield position, with Veronique Mifsud and Brenda Borg orchestrating further forward. Rebecca Bajada and Yulya Carella started on the wings, while Colombian duo Alejandra Villegas Caly and Valeria Villegas Caly spearheaded the attack.
There were no changes in goal for Valletta either, with Gabriella Grima continuing between the sticks. Sabrin Blihi started in the centre of the defence, flanked by Eunice Micallef and captain Anna Aloisio. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco and Megan La Rosa started on the wings. Sarah Vella Barberi started in midfield with Monique Sultana and Ylenia Grech. Marcelle de Oliveira Julio operated further forward behind Laura Muscat.
How It Unfolded
There was an even start to the match, although Mgarr United were clearly the team more hungry to gain control of the ball. The Greens appeared keen on utilising the space afforded to try to get runners behind and developed a good opportunity in the fifth minute. Maia Debono launched a good delivery for Alejandra Villegas Caly to chase behind. However, her attempt to square off the ball into the box was well read by Gabriella Grima at the near post.
Eunice Micallef was well positioned to intercept another attempted long-ball shortly after before the Greens managed to get Brenda Borg free in the box. However, Gabriella Grima shuffled out quickly enough to throw off the Mgarr captain.
On their part the Citizens tried to regain some control in the match, with Ylenia Grech, Marcelle de Oliveira Julio and Monique Sultana all attempting to string possession. Sarah Vella Barberi made a burst forward to trouble Abigail Camilleri, but the latter used her experience to snuff out the attack.
Veronique Mifsud was next to deliver a perfectly weighted ball to release Yulya Carella out wide. However, her cross was blocked by Anna Aloisio, before Valletta saw out the threat from the corner.
Having failed by the long-ball route, the Greens broke the deadlock in the 28th minute following a well-weighted ground pass. Brenda Borg fed Valeria Villegas Caly, who powered past her marker and snuck a low shot just in time to beat Gabriella Grima.
The Citizens dropped deeper and deeper, while the Greens pushed forward in search for more. They did not have to wait long to find the second. Valeria Villegas Caly and Brenda Borg played a quick combination in front of the defence, before Borg picked out Yulya Carella in acres of space on the right side of the box. The number eleven rifled the shot into the far side of the net to double the lead for the team.
Some of the lights at the Victor Tedesco Stadium gave out in the 34th minute, with the match continuing after three minutes of stoppage, despite no improvement in the lighting. This following extensive works carried out in the past weeks.
Neither side could find the net before half-time, although Valletta were forced to make a change before the break, following injury to Marcelle de Oliveira Julio. She was replaced by Alicia Mifsud.
Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 2 – 0 Valletta
Jean Lopes made his first change shortly after the break, bringing on Lisa Vella in defence, while Laura Muscat gave way. Megan La Rosa shifted to the attacking position. Ryan Vella responded by bringing on Rodiana Borg, in replacement of Veronique Mifsud. She slotted on the left wing, pushing Rebecca Bajada to the right.
The Greens still enjoyed the majority of possession, with the effort to launch long balls behind returning to the fore. Valletta’s Ylenia Grech continued to be a valuable asset in giving the team some forward momentum. She made a surge up the pitch, with Sarah Vella Barberi showing good movement to breach Mgarr’s defensive lines. However, Abigail Camilleri shut the door once more.
Rebecca Bajada continued her forward runs, with the wing-back earning Mgarr United a penalty in the 73rd minute, after being clipped on the turn. Valeria Villegas Caly rifled it into the right side of the net to extend the Greens’ lead to three.
With the lead firmly in hand, Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella made a triple switch for the final twelve minutes of the match. Kayah Abela Sciberras replaced Leanne Cefai, with the youngster slotting at right wing-back, while Rebecca Bajada took Cefai’s position in defence. There was a also change between the posts, with Patricia Ebejer replacing Giulia D’Antuono. Elisa Xuereb took to the pitch in attack, replacing Yulya Carella, while Valeria Villegas Caly retreated into midfield. Maria Mizzi also replaced Abigail Camilleri later on with the defender forced off through a knock.
Meanwhile, Jean Lopes also made a triple change, swapping Suzanne Farrugia Sacco with Hannah Grima, Sarah Vella Barberi with Sarah Fenech, while Megan La Rosa gave way to Kady Zammit. The latter slotted on the right side of the defence, while Lisa Vella moved into the centre, pushing Sabrin Blihi forward.
Valletta attempted to get something back with another launched free-kick by Sabrin Blihi. Sarah Fenech attempted to get purchase, but the effort was blocked and cleared by Valeria Villegas Caly.
At the other end, Brenda Borg earned the Greens the opportunity for a direct effort from a free-kick. Amber Grech struck hard and true, but it lacked the control to find the net. Despite this, the Greens got a last hurrah with a late goal in injury time. Youngster Kayah Abela Sciberras fired home from inside the box to seal the victory.
Final Score: Mgarr United 4 – 0 Valletta
Standings & Next Matches
Mgarr United secure the three points to take their tally to 21 points, just one less than Birkirkara and Swieqi United. Valletta remain on 8 points, sandwiched between San Gwann (10) and Lija Athletic (6), with the latter two meeting in a direct confrontation this afternoon (Dingli Ground 15:30).
The Assikura Women’s League will break off following today’s fixtures for a whole month to accommodate international duties at U17, U19 and senior level. Mgarr United will return on the 13th of December, meeting San Gwann at the Charles Abela Stadium (17:30). Valletta return the week before, on the 7th at Dingli Ground against Hibernians (14:00).
Today presents the final two matches at Dingli Ground, before the break in the Assikura Women’s League. Mtarfa will host Hibernians at 13:00, before the clash between San Gwann and Lija Athletic (15:30).
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