Mgarr United Deepen Mtarfa’s Woes

Mgarr United continued to keep things close at the top with an 8-0 victory over Mtarfa. Brenda Borg grabbed a hat-trick, Joelma Alves Gabriel scored four in nine minutes, while Anastasia Sivolobova also found the net.

Team Selections

Patricia Ebejer continued her stay in goal for the Greens, protected by a familiar back-four in Kelsey Vella, Anastasia Sivolobova, captain Maia Debono and Abigail Camilleri. Chantelle Grech was accompanied by Luana Vitoria Cabral in midfield, while Brenda Borg slotted in the attacking midfield role. Rebecca Bajada and Joelma Alves Gabriel provided the width. Fernanda Peinado led the line.

Maria Abdilla started in goal for Mtarfa. Darya Attard returned alongside Shania Spiteri in the heart of the defence. Paula Ciappara and Corine Deguara protected the flanks. Eliza Csik was handed the captaincy and started in midfield in the company of Nicole Mifsud and Oumayma Jelili. Kerrie Ciappara and Elisa Azzopardi provided the width to Rachel Sultana in attack.

Borg & Sivolobova Open The Scoring

It was not unexpected for the Greens to be the ones leading the charge, however Mtarfa appeared to be determined in keeping them out early on. Joelma Alves Gabriel appeared set to open the scoring in the 9th minute, but was met by Maria Abdilla who blocked the shot. Brenda Borg attempted the follow-up but it was parried over by the goalkeeper once more, before Chantelle Grech headed wide from the corner.

The Greens had another opportunity close to the quarter-hour mark as Brenda Borg won the ball high up the pitch and released Rebecca Bajada out wide. She delivered a cross into a good area, but neither Fernanda Peinado, nor Joelma Alves Gabriel were unable to get something on it. More attacks developed with a game of pin-ball developing in the Mtarfa defensive third, before Fernanda Peinado struck centrally which Abdilla was equal to once more.

Nicole Mifsud and Eliza Csik attempted to relieve pressure by pushing the ball up the pitch. However, Mifsud’s attempt to release Elisa Azzopardi was read by Maia Debono who sent the Greens back once more. Joelma Alves Gabriel was denied in a one-on-one by Maria Abdilla, before Darya Attard made an off-the-line clearance from the resulting corner.

The deadlock was finally broken by Brenda Borg in the 20th minute, with a low shot from the edge of the penalty box whose power beat the goalkeeper. It was good play by Fernanda Peinado to win the ball high up the pitch, before Joelma Alves Gabriel linked in Borg for the finish.

The Greens’ Chantelle Grech attempted one from distance, before Fernanda Peinado was also wide of the mark with a header. Anastasia Sivolobova was denied by the crossbar in the 28th minute after attempting to convert a corner delivery from Brenda Borg. Eliza Csik attempted to get a counter-attack going but was stopped by Rebecca Bajada.

Darya Attard was the next to try to push her team forward, but Mgarr United intercepted a forward pass intended to get Oumayma Jelili involved. Mtarfa also had an opportunity to mount an attack with a free-kick which Nicole Mifsud won in the middle of the park. Shania Spiteri helped Mifsud’s delivery forward, but Maia Debono read the danger once more.

Having been denied by the crossbar earlier on, Anastasia Sivolobova buried home the second with a header from Brenda Borg’s corner delivery in the 42nd minute.

Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 2 – 0 Mtarfa

Nine-Minute Poker

Mgarr United were evidently unhappy with the strength of the lead. Having missed a barrage of opportunities Joelma Alves Gabriel appeared to hit a different gear, instead netting the next four goals in quick succession and in similar fashion.

She opened her account for the day in the 49th minute, placing a low left-footed finish after being released by Luana Vitoria Cabral. She made it a brace three minutes later, this time placing low into the right side of the net after latching onto a pass from Brenda Borg. The Greens capitalised on a quick transition after winning the ball high up the pitch.

Borg set up the hat-trick in the 56th minute, with another through ball that Joelma Alves Gabriel placed low once more. She made it four for herself and six for Mgarr United in the 58th minute. Although Mtarfa did well to get to an initial cross from Rebecca Bajada, the clearance handed the ball straight to the Brazilian who placed into the left corner of the goal from the edge of the box.

The goals were split by two substitutions from Mtarfa with Dorienne Grech slotting as a striker instead of Rachel Sultana, while Katie Gribbon came on as a left-back, pushing Paula Ciappara forward. Rasvita Sluckute also came on instead of Corine Deguara who could not shake off an injury.

Michael Mangion also freshened things up bringing on Leanne Cefai, Maria Mizzi and Shakira Camilleri in replacement of Anastasia Sivolobova, Joelma Alves Gabriel, and Fernanda Peinado respectively. Gabriella Grima also made an appearance in goal in replacement of Patricia Ebejer, while Mirayah Aquilina slotted in the left-back role instead of Abigail Camilleri.

Borg Completes Hat-Trick

The substitutes got in on the action. Maria Mizzi almost teed up Rebecca Bajada with a cross, but the latter’s placed shot was blocked for a corner. Mtarfa attempted to get something going forward but the final ball to release the striker was intercepted by Leanne Cefai, before Kelsey Vella completed the clearance.

Despite the respite, a poor clearance from Mtarfa led to Mgarr United’s seventh in the 77th minute. Brenda Borg found the net with another powerful low shot. The Greens kept the momentum going with Shakira Camilleri holding up the ball well before looping in Borg. She squared to Maria Mizzi whose back-heel released Luana Cabral who made the run behind. However, she pulled the shot wide of the mark.

Mtarfa’s Maria Abdilla gave way to goalkeeper Amy Mizzi for the final five minutes of the match. The Greens kept up the attacks with Chantelle Grech and Brenda Borg both having opportunities. Amy Mizzi saved a long-range effort from Brenda Borg, before Shakira Camilleri’s attempt for a follow-through was cleared for a corner by Darya Attard.

Brenda Borg completed the scoring and made it a hat-trick by capitalising on a loose clearance and burying the shot into the top left corner from inside the box.

Final Score: Mgarr United 8 – 0 Mtarfa

Standings & Next Matches

The victory gets the Greens within one point of Swieqi United who sit in third on 24 points, and within three points of the leaders Hibernians. Birkirkara sit in second on 25 but have a game in hand. Mgarr United will return to action on Thursday 14th against Lija Athletic at the Centenary Stadium (20:15). Lija will be searching for a better showing following the defeat against Valletta later in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Mtarfa will prepare themselves to meet San Gwann who got all the points in the first round. They will play each other on Friday 15th at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30).

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