by Mgarr United delivered a 1-0 victory over Hibernians, notching their first win over the Paolites this season. The result means that Hibernians will end the season in third. Brenda Borg headed home the only goal from Yulya Carella’s delivery. Leanne Cefai & Abigail Camilleri stood strong to deny Hibernians the comeback.
Team Selections
Patricia Ebejer remained in goal for Mgarr United, behind an unchanged back-four in Anastasia Sivolobova, Leanne Cefai, captain Abigail Camilleri and Rebecca Bajada. Luana Cabral and Brenda Borg started in midfield, while Joelma Alves Gabriel started further ahead. Yulya Carella started on the right wing, while Rodiana Borg pipped herself to the starting eleven on the left wing. Fernanda Peinado led the attack.
Maya Muscat continued getting comfortable in Hibernians’ goal. There was one change in the defence, with Amber Galea starting alongside Natalee Geren, while Kiley Norkus and Chloe Ellul continued their full-back duties. Kayleigh Chetcuti assumed the captain’s armband, starting in midfield alongside Federica Zahra and Sarah Urpani. Yolande Attard and Alexis Espitia started on the flanks of Leah Ayres in attack.
Mgarr Nudge In Front
It took some time before either side really settled on the ball to create something of real threat. Brenda Borg sent a low cross which Maya Muscat collected, while Natalee Geren made a positive surge in midfield but the side could not propel it to a real goal threat.
Mgarr United managed to open up the Hibernians’ defence around twelve minutes into it, as Joelma Alves Gabriel spread it wide to Yulya Carella who was in space on the flank. However, the strike was wide of the mark.
Hibernians had two corner kicks which they could not convert, while Mgarr United attempted to play a short free-kick routine which ended with a long-range effort from Rebecca Bajada. However, Maya Muscat was untroubled.
On their part, Hibernians broke Mgarr United’s defensive lines in the 18th minute as Yolande Attard threaded a pass for Leah Ayres. However, Patricia Ebejer was quickly off her line to snuff out the attack.
Unfortunately, things took a sombre note just over the half-hour mark as Rebecca Bajada clattered into the side-wall, ending her match, while referee Igor Kankaras brandished a booking for Alexis Espitia. Kayah Abela Sciberras took to the pitch instead of Bajada slotting in the right-back position, while Anastasia Sivolobova moved to the left.
Hibernians’ conceded a cheap corner into injury time which made the difference. Yulya Carella delivered into the far post, where Brenda Borg headed to nudge Mgarr United into the lead.
Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 1 – 0 Hibernians
Game Heats Up But Defences On Top
The goal gave the match more life as the slender lead kept the result open for either side, with the referee getting involved more than once. Brenda Borg earned a booking for the team as Alexis Espitia attempted to create trouble on the chase. Natalee Geren delivered toward Alexis Espitia who tried the half-volley but skied it from the tight angle. Yolande Attard attempted to release the American on the flank shortly after, but Anastasia Sivolobova read play to deny her the free run on goal.
Kenneth Costantino made the first swap in the 57th minute, bringing on Nyorah Celeste on the right wing, while Yolande Attard gave way. Alexis Espitia switched to the left, prompting a switch in Mgarr United’s full-backs to boot.
Natalee Geren lined a free-kick from distance which was wide of the top right corner, while Hibernians attempted to make Mgarr United’s defence sweat with the press. However, Leanne Cefai was the usual composed self to play out from the back.
Mgarr United picked their spots to try to find a second. Joelma Alves Gabriel fired one from distance which dipped just wide of the left corner. The Greens worked another short routine as Abigail Camilleri threaded it wide to Rodiana Borg who delivered into the box. However, Maya Muscat palmed away. Brenda Borg made a good surge across to find space for a shot or earn a free-kick in a dangerous position but to no avail.
Hibernians were denied an equaliser in the 63rd minute as Kayleigh Chetcuti threaded an intelligent ball to Nyorah Celeste who sped behind the Greens’ defence and dribbled past the rushing goalkeeper. However, Leanne Cefai kept up the chase, putting enough pressure to deny her the chance to attempt at the gaping net.
The chance injected further enthusiasm into the match as time crept. Mgarr United forced a good interception from Maya Muscat as Anastasia Sivolobova crossed from the right wing. On the other hand, the Greens had a goal ruled out by offside, which Fernanda Peinado had chipped into the net. Amber Galea and Natalee Geren were hard at work in blocking anything coming their way, while trying to take the initiative from the back to send the team forward.
Kenneth Costantino looked to his bench once more, bringing on Amy Busuttil to shore up the midfield in the 68th minute.
Hibernians created a flurry of good chances as the 70th minute ensued. A quick transition saw Nyorah Celeste cut-back to Kayleigh Chetcuti, who had her first shot blocked by Leanne Cefai and a second saved by Patricia Ebejer. A minute later, Alexis Espitia cut-back to Leah Ayres, but Abigail Camilleri blocked the effort for a corner. The Greens cleared the threat, but Hibernians kept coming.
The Paolites got very close in the 76th minute as a cross from the right wing caused trouble for Patricia Ebejer, who got something on the ball but did not manage to collect. However, the rebound effort was cleared off the line by Leanne Cefai.
The Greens’ defensive unit urged concentration from the rest of the team as the chances piled for the Paolites, with Brenda Borg responding by trying to thread a ball to release Rodiana Borg. However, Hibernians’ defence read the threat, before Rodiana Borg gave way to Shakira Camilleri. Camilleri slotted on the right, pushing Yulya Carella to the left.
The Greens held on with caution as both midfielders Brenda Borg and Luana Cabral were both already in the book. As the final minutes rolled in Brenda Borg was still zipping across the pitch, throwing everything at it, both defensively and in search of creating something going forward to give the Greens breathing room. On the other hand, Hibernians grew more frustrated at the number of fouls being called by the referee.
The Greens’ Fernanda Peinado launched toward Yulya Carella who drifted into the box, earning the team a corner while trying to head the ball. Joelma Alves Gabriel tested Maya Muscat with the kick, but the young goalkeeper palmed away to safety.
Kenneth Costantino made a final switch in the 83rd minute, bringing on Martina Borg in midfield instead of Federica Zahra. Hibernians’ number ten was sent back on coming onto the pitch, to follow procedure by the astute referee.
On their part, Hibernians threw more forward. Kiley Norkus delivered a free-kick from midfield, which Brenda Borg headed away. The Paolites found Leanne Cefai a thorn in their side once more as Nyorah Celeste’s cross toward Leah Ayres was intercepted smartly by the Mgarr United defender who did let much get past her on the afternoon.
Amy Busuttil landed in the book in injury time after clipping Joelma Alves Gabriel on the turn. Abigail Camilleri’s launch from midfield was headed out, before the second delivery was overhit from the right wing. Despite this, the positive pressure ensured Mgarr United’s first victory over Hibernians this season in their final league meet.
Final Score: Mgarr United 1 – 0 Hibernians
Standings & Next Matches
Mgarr United take their tally to 33 points in fourth place. Hibernians remain comfortable in third place on 41 points, one place better than last year, but the result sees their hopes of a second-place finish ended in the penultimate match.
The Greens will play out their final league match against the league runners-up, Swieqi United, at home on Saturday 23rd March (KO 14:00). Meanwhile, Hibernians will face the newly established champions, Birkirkara, at the Centenary Stadium on the same day at 15:00.
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[…] is unthreatened, but with an opportunity to better their points tally. Mgarr United managed their first victory over Hibernians this season, last weekend. It allowed the Greens to close the gap to third, while ensuring that […]
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