by Mgarr United beat Hibernians FC by the narrowest of margins on Tuesday night at the Mgarr Ground. Kelly Agius Pace drove home the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. Hibs goalkeeper Raisa Costantino saved a penalty from Yulya Carella. Alexis Espitia came close to scoring for the whites but was denied by the crossbar and had a penalty shout which was not given. The win allows the greens to close the gap to Hibs, but the whites will be frustrated not to have come away with something from the match.
Tensions Run High
The importance of the match was evident as play was cagey on both sides. The midfield was heavily contested with little room for error. Tackles were flying from both teams and there was no love lost between the two. Despite this, both sides failed to capitalize on the various free-kick opportunities.
Hibs’ Alexis Veronica Espitia was almost released in on goal after slightly over half an hour of play, but for an excellent tackle by Mgarr’s Maia Debono. The two had an excellent battle for as long as they were both on the pitch which was great to see for the neutral. Rebecca Bajada and Kayleigh Chetcuti also got entangled a few times, whilst both midfield and defense teams desperately tried to close down Martina Borg and Brenda Borg who pulled the strings for either team.
Both Sides Rattle the Crossbar & A Denied Penalty Shout For Hibs
Despite being denied earlier, Alexis Espitia struck the crossbar for Hibs around the 33rd minute mark. Kayleigh Chetcuti drove an inswinger from the corner flag toward Nicole Sciberras who headed the ball to Espitia. The striker stood on the edge of the six-yard box and tried to direct the ball on the volley but rattled the crossbar.
Espitia had a penalty shout a few minutes later as she was seemingly brought down by Amber Grech just inside the box. However, the referee did not point to the spot to the dismay of the visitors and their supporters.
Mgarr’s Rebecca Bajada came closest for the greens after 40 minutes of play, as she ventured up the field and sent a cross-shot that hit the post. It had Hibs goalkeeper scrambling to it, but it was not to be for the Mgarr United right back.
Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 0 – 0 Hibernians FC
A Penalty Saved & Another Scored
Hibs started the second half well but had the wind taken from their sails when Alexis Espitia was taken off the pitch after taking a heavy blow. Mgarr grabbed the opportunity with both hands. The greens threatened from a free-kick which captain Brenda Borg delivered to the far post, where Amber Grech cut the ball back into the box but it was gobbled up by Hibs goalkeeper Raisa Costantino.
The first penalty kick came shortly after when Brenda Borg drove into the box, having the option of beating the goalkeeper on the dribble or crossing to Kelly Agius Pace. Borg chose to dribble the goalkeeper but was fouled, earning a penalty for her team. Yulya Carella stepped up to the spot but was denied by Costantino who guessed the right way, giving Hibs a lifeline.
However, this was short-lived as Kelly Agius Pace was brought down in the box around five minutes later, earning Mgarr a second penalty. The striker took charge of the spot-kick herself and found the bottom left corner to break the deadlock on the 70th-minute mark.
From then on the greens managed the game well, even though Hibs managed to create some good chances. Nicole Sciberras showed good skill on the dribble, taking the ball all the way from the Hibs defense to the Mgarr penalty box and striking toward the near corner, but goalkeeper Patricia Ebejer was equal to it. Additionally, Hibs captain Martina Borg played through Aleksandra Georgieva and Kayleigh Chetcuti on separate occasions, but both were denied by the keeper. Sarah Urpani also drove a shot on the volley which sailed just over the crossbar.
Final-Score: Mgarr United 1 – 0 Hibernians FC
Injuries & League Standings
Both had to deal with injury headaches during the match. The match started off on the wrong note as Mgarr’s Leanne Cefai collapsed to the ground on the turn after just a few minutes of play.
The player managed to walk off the pitch but that was the end of the match for her and the greens were immediately forced into a substitution, bringing on Abigail Camilleri. Meanwhile, Hibs also suffered an injury blow in the second half, when Alexis Espitia had to be taken off following a collision.
Coaches Michael Mangion and Keith Gouder, will hope that the injuries sustained do not result in lengthy spells on the sideline for the players, especially since both teams have critical fixtures coming up. Mgarr will have another direct encounter in their next match when they play fifth-placed Raiders Lija FC. Raiders currently have a game in hand since they place San Gwann on Wednesday 15th March. Hibs will also have a tough test next time out, when they play league leaders Birkirkara FC, on the 22nd March.
Elsewhere, second-placed Swieqi United thrashed Mtarfa 12-0. Braces were scored by Jade Flask, Mariah Sciberras, Salamatu Abdulai, Tatiana Hawkins-Dabney, and Fernanda Dos Santos Peinado. Jessica Lee Dimech also grabbed a goal in the first half, whilst Mtarfa also suffered an own goal by Paula Ciappara.
