Mgarr Push For Second Place With Win Against Hibernians

Mgarr United secured a 3 – 1 victory against Hibernians to rise to second place. Valeria Villegas Caly got the team going, before Luz Hernandez delivered a brace to ensure the victory. Ileana Farrugia put Hibernians on the scoresheet.

Team Selection

Hibernians’ Elizabeth Harrington continued her stay in goal. Amber Galea started in the trio alongside Natalee Geren and Jessica Dimech. Sarah Vella Barberi and Georgiana Mifsud operated as wing-backs. Nicole Sciberras started in a partnership with Amy Busuttil while Ileana Farrugia and Martina Borg occupied the widths. Alexis Espitia led the attack.

Patricia Ebejer started in goal for Mgarr United behind the quartet of Yanina Mendez, captain Abigail Camilleri, Leanne Cefai and Rebecca Bajada. Ann-Marie Said and Amber Grech continued their growing partnership in midfield. Luz Hernandez and Yulya Carella occupied the widths, while Alejandra Villegas Caly supported Valeria Villegas Caly in attack.

How It Unfolded

The curtain had already fallen on the title race following Swieqi United’s victory over Birkirkara earlier in the afternoon. It kickstarted the match in a subdued but a relatively pressure-free match.

Yulya Carella fired the first shot from distance but found Elizabeth Harrington ready to collect. Martina Borg responded with an effort at the other end but it lacked the venom with Mgarr United’s defence making the block.

The Greens were the most active in intercepting balls earlier on, combining to good effect to get on the front foot but struggling to penetrate in the final third. Hibernians were showing good enthusiasm on the wings, but the balance of play was tilted in favour of the Greens.

However, Mgarr United were not making it pay off. Rebecca Bajada launched a good ball into the box, but Elizabeth Harrington commanded the box ahead of Valeria Villegas Caly. Alejandra Villegas Caly released Luz Hernandez behind some time later, but she fired wide of the mark despite having time for a better shot.

The Argentinian had another glorious opportunity to put the team in front moments later. However, the effort toward the near post always favoured Elizabeth Harrington, who obliged with an outstretched hand for the corner.

The two teams could not work set-pieces to good effect, but Mgarr United finally broke the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark. Valeria Villegas Caly fired a looped effort from distance which landed into the far corner of the net.

Hibernians chased the equaliser with a high press in search of forcing mistakes from the Greens’ defensive line. Mgarr United continued to threaten to transition quickly, but Natalee Geren was often on the winning end of the battle against Valeria Villegas Caly. Alexis Espitia came closest for the Paolites, rattling the post with a strike from a tight angle.

Half-Time Score: Hibernians 0 – 1 Mgarr United

The Paolites picked up where they left off. Sarah Vella Barberi delivered a cross from the byline which Alexis Espitia met. However, her attempt to direct it at the near post was wide of the mark.

Mgarr United responded with a worked set-piece routine. Ann-Marie Said delivered from midfield toward Valeria Villegas Caly. She got the touch to help it on, but Elizabeth Harrington collected before Luz Hernandez could complete the finish. Rebecca Bajada made a forward dart into midfield shortly after, but found Natalee Geren ready to intercept once more as she attempted to thread a pass for Yulya Carella to chase behind.

Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino made changes as the hour mark approached. Georgiana Mifsud walked off the pitch having taken a heavy knock earlier on, with Joelma Alves Gabriel taking to the pitch in her stead. Leah Ayres also took to the pitch instead of Amy Busuttil. The changes triggered rotations across the pitch, with Ayres and Alves Gabriel joining Alexis Espitia in attack, while Ileana Farrugia and Martina Borg occupied the wing-back and midfield role respectively.

Mgarr United took the opportunity to find the second goal as the Paolites looked to settle. Yulya Carella found Valeria Villegas Caly on the wing. The Colombian delivered a low cross which Luz Hernandez tapped home from close range.

The Greens sought to pile further misery as Yulya Carella fired from distance with Elizabeth Harrington palming it over the crossbar. The goalkeeper towered once more against the delivery to deny Mgarr United from extending.

The Paolites pushed forward in search of getting themselves back into the match, stringing a good spell of possession to get themselves into the box. However, Mgarr United’s defence kept itself close to deny the opportunities to turn for the shot. Hibernians were rewarded for their patience, rotating wide from right to left, before Ileana Farrugia fired a shot into the right corner of the net to half the deficit in the 71st minute.

The next goal was crucial and Mgarr United made sure it was theirs. Mirroring their second goal, Valeria Villegas Caly darted on the right wing to apply the cross which Luz Hernandez tapped home once more.

Stoppages ensued as two separate collisions called for extended medical treatment for Amber Galea, Valeria Villegas Caly, Abigail Camilleri and Ann-Marie Said. Abigail Camilleri came off worst with the defender retreated by Ryan Vella. Kayah Abela Sciberras took to the pitch, together with Elisa Xuereb, while Alejandra Villegas Caly was also given an early rest. Yanina Mendez also gave way to Maria Mizzi later on. Mgarr United switched to a back three in search of holding onto their lead for the latter stages.

Hibernians had an opportunity from a corner as Joelma Alves Gabriel delivered toward Natalee Geren. She got a touch before Sarah Vella Barberi attempted to side-foot it into the net but could not keep it down. The side earned a free-kick just into the final third which Joelma Alves Gabriel opted to fire toward goal from distance. However, Patricia Ebejer watched it all the way.

Final Score: Hibernians 1 – 3 Mgarr United

Standings & Final League Match

Mgarr United take themselves to second place with the victory on 42 points. They will battle Birkirkara for second place who on their part remained on 40 points and relinquished the league title to Swieqi United following a 3 – 0 defeat earlier in the afternoon. Hibernians will play out their final league match against the new champions, Swieqi United. The fixtures are yet to be released.

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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