by Mgarr United secured second place in the Assikura Women’s League following a 4 – 2 victory against Birkirkara. The Greens earned a healthy lead inside the opening twenty minutes through Luz Hernandez, Abigail Camilleri and Valeria Villegas Caly. Rebecca Bajada finished things off in the second half. Erica Bispo grabbed the brace for Birkirkara but the side could not complete the comeback.
Team Selections
Janice Xuereb continued her stay in goal for Birkirkara behind an unchanged defence consisting of Charlene Zammit, Calista Schechinger and Valentina Rapa. Alishia Cassar and Sofia Carvajal Granados started on the wings, while Gabriella Zahra and Stella Francalanza started in midfield. Erica Bispo and Luana Vitoria Cabral supported Izabella Camilleri who led the attack.
Giulia D’Antuono started in goal for Mgarr United, behind a back-four consisting of Kayah Abela Sciberras, Leanne Cefai, Abigail Camilleri and Yanina Mendez. Amber Galea and Ann-Marie Said continued orchestrating in midfield. Rebecca Bajada and Luz Hernandez started on the flanks, while Valeria Villegas Caly and Alejandra Villegas Caly partnered each other in attack.
How It Unfolded
Mgarr United got themselves on the front foot from the off. Luz Hernandez was found in acres of space as Alejandra Villegas Caly and Valeria Villegas Caly combined to switch play. The Argentinian’s initial shot was blocked by Janice Xuereb, but Hernandez was alert to head home the rebound and get the Greens going in the 3rd minute.
The Greens pushed for more with Amber Grech dismantling the Birkirkara defence with a single, slightly-lifted through pass to release Valeria Villegas Caly. However, Janice Xuereb was quick off her line to block the shot and keep Birkirkara in it.
However, Mgarr United continued to be the hungrier of the two teams and earned the comfort of a two goal advantage in the 12th minute. Rebecca Bajada won the free-kick against Calista Schechinger on the wing. Ann-Marie Said curled it toward the far post, prompting a palm from Janice Xuereb who could not contain it with Abigail Camilleri arriving just in time to head home the loose ball.
Referee Stefania Bonnici was getting into hot water with both sides, but the Greens were having the better run of things with the side grabbing the third goal just over the 20th minute mark. Giulia D’Antuono was precise with a clearance to find Alejandra Villegas Caly. The Colombian drew in plenty of striped shirts before dinking a ball over the top to release Valeria Villegas Caly. She sped forward before beating Janice Xuereb with a low drive to find the back of the net.
Birkirkara responded with a rare opportunity as Charlene Zammit launched toward Sofia Carvajal Granados, who knocked it down for Alishia Cassar. She sped forward on the wing before finding Stella Francalanza with the cross. However, the youngster could not direct it goalward.
Still, the chance gave some belief into Birkirkara, who rushed in with another corner soon after. Luana Vitoria Cabral found Izabella Camilleri. However, her header was blocked by Yanina Mendez.
The Stripes had moments but the Greens continued with the majority of the control in the opening half. Mgarr United had another opportunity to grab the fourth before half time as Alejandra Villegas Caly struck from the edge of the box. However, the Colombian pulled it wide.
Vince Galea made a change in the 43rd minute, bringing on Mariah Cardona on the wing, while sacrificing Stella Francalanza. Sofia Carvajal Granados swapped to the centre of attack.
The Stripes’ Alishia Cassar continued to be a positive outlet, but found Giulia D’Antuono smart to the cross. The Greens continued using the space to their advantage but could not add before the break.
Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 0 – 3 Mgarr United
Vince Galea made another swap at half-time, bringing on Lara May Azzopardi on the wing, with Izabella Camilleri giving way.
Birkirkara got themselves going in the best possible way with a goal in the 53rd minute. Erica Bispo was released with an intelligent through pass by Luana Vitoria Cabral, with the Brazilian driving a low effort to beat Giulia D’Antuono.
Mgarr responded almost immediately, with Rebecca Bajada speeding on the right wing to the byline. She cut back to Valeria Villegas Caly, but she scooped the shot from the tight angle.
Birkirkara mounted incessant pressure as the Greens sought to play out from the back. However, the side could not make it pay off, with Mgarr United earning the fourth goal against the run of play in the 65th minute. Rebecca Bajada fired from distance on the wing to find the far left corner of the net. The Birkirkara contingent were furious with the officials, but the goal stood.
Changes ensued from both benches, with Ryan Vella deploying Elisa Xuereb as left-back, while Kayah Abela Sciberras made way. Rebecca Bajada retreated into the right-back position, while Yanina Mendez switched on the right wing. Vince Galea made a double switch bringing on Ruth Steer-Chetham and Amelia Vassallo in midfield, replacing Sofia Carvajal Granados and Gabriella Zahra, with Alishia Cassar pushed into attack with Erica Bispo, while Luana Vitoria Cabral retreated into midfield.
Birkirkara’s corner count was rising as the side pushed to close the gap. The side got rewarded as Lara May Azzopardi capitalised on a loose ball in midfield and sped up the wing. She played the cross with Erica Bispo’s initial drive appearing to be thwarted. However, the Brazilian was most alert to fire the rebound and slash the gap in the 74th minute.
The Stripes continued pushing forward, with Charlene Zammit firing a cross toward Mariah Cardona who failed to direct it at the far post. The pressure was rising on the Greens, with the crowd urging them on, while the defence starting to approach attacks with an ‘anywhere will do’ attitude.
However, time ticked away with the fury growing as Birkirkara chased the game and grew weary of Mgarr’s game management. Stefania Bonnici was keen on dishing out cards in search of controlling play, with the Birkirkara bench also getting its share. The official received plenty of ironic jeers as she dished out a lonely card to the Greens’ Alejandra Villegas Caly late on.
A cross by Calista Schechinger gave the side a real chance but the ball fizzed across the box with no strike at the end of it. The side could not trouble with late set-piece opportunities, with Giulia D’Antuono collecting the last delivery to the sound of the full time whistle and elation from the Mgarr United support.
Final Score: Birkirkara 2 – 4 Mgarr United
Standings & Next Matches
Mgarr United secure second place for the first time since the 2019/20 season, finishing their league commitments with a 45 point tally.
Birkirkara sit in third on 40, with the Stripes having to wait for the encounter between Swieqi United (champions) and Hibernians, to know if the Paolites will pip them to third place. Hibernians currently sit in fourth on 39 points.
Swieqi United and Hibernians will play out the final match of the league on Saturday at the Centenary Stadium at 14:00, with Swieqi United awaiting the trophy at the end of the match after mathematically securing their place last week.
Dingli Ground will also play host to a double header on Saturday as Mtarfa take on Lija Athletic (14:00) and Valletta meet San Gwann (16:30) in the Bottom Four. Lija Athletic and Valletta’s positions will be determined based on the outcomes in the two matches.
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