Mgarr United Victorious Against Much Improved San Gwann

The Greens ground out a 2-1 victory against San Gwann in front of a loud onlooking crowd, which was deflated by a late injury to San Gwann’s Annabelle Rapa who was stretchered out from the pitch. Kelly Agius Pace opened the scoring, while Abigail Camilleri doubled the lead for Mgarr with an Olimpico. San Gwann’s Justyne Caruana kept out a penalty while debutant Andjela Kricak converted one to round off her debut.

Line-Ups

San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri started Justyne Caruana in goal, who was protected by captain Annabelle Rapa, Nicole Camenzuli and Kirstie Vella. Shania Borg and debutant Rabab Mhalli provided the width further afield, while Tourki Chaimaa (also debuting) and Martina Schembri occupied the central roles. Serbian debutant Andjela Kricak slotted into the number ten role, while Shania Gheiti and Nilayza Attard led the line.

On the other hand, Michael Mangion opted to start Patricia Ebejer in goal, who was protected by a back-four. A new centre-back pairing of Anastasia Sivolobova and Chantelle Grech were flanked by Kelsey Vella and Abigail Camilleri. Maia Debono took the captain’s armband and slotted in front of the defence. Rebecca Bajada and Daniela Said Ebejer occupied the wings, with debutant Joelma Alves Gabriel slotting in the number ten role. Kelly Agius Pace and Yulya Carella were the most advanced.

Hard-Fought First Half and a Penalty Saved

There was plenty of intensity from both sides as the whistle blew. In a game that saw plenty of fouls drawn, it was San Gwann who earned the first set-piece opportunity. Though Rabab Mhalli put the ball into a dangerous area, Patricia Ebejer came out to collect. At the other end, the Greens’ Joelma Alves Gabriel delivered toward Chantelle Grech who volleyed goalward but Justyne Caruana was also equal to it.

The two sides were locked in a scrappy battle for most of the half, with San Gwann using plenty of physicality to throw the Greens off. Despite this, Mgarr United created several clear opportunities but could not quite hit the mark. Close to quarter of an hour of play Maia Debono rushed onto a cleared ball and struck from distance but it sailed just above the crossbar. A few moments later, Joelma Alves Gabriel, Yulya Carella and Daniela Said Ebejer worked the ball well, with the latter sending a cross toward Carella at the near post whose flick was cleared by San Gwann’s defence.

San Gwann gave plenty back and their press wreaked some havoc in the Mgarr United defence toward the twenty minute mark. Shania Gheiti kept up the chase exposing the uncertainty between the new defensive partnership, but Abigail Camilleri rushed in to clear the situation.

There were plenty of tussles going on across the pitch. There also appeared to be no love lost between former teammates Rebecca Bajada and Rabab Mhalli who both left their mark on each other multiple times.

As the first half wore on the Greens improved their play up top but lacked the final pass or the finishing touch to open the score. In fact, close to half-an hour of play, Agius Pace, Carella and Alves Gabriel created a few opportunities but were just not on the same wavelength for the final pass. There was a growing frustration among the Mgarr United camp, which appeared to be relieved on the stroke of half-time when the referee pointed to the spot as the ball was handled in the box. However, Justyne Caruana had other ideas, claiming Joelma Alves Gabriel’s strike from the spot to send the teams locked level into the break, and San Gwann’s fans in full voice.

Half-Time Score: San Gwann 0 – 0 Mgarr United

Tactical Changes & Mgarr Breakthrough

The second half kicked off with an increased physicality. San Gwann’s Gheiti won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box, but Andjela Kricak’s strike was wide of the mark. At the other end, Anastasia Sivolobova made a run up the wing but was crowded out by three players, before winning a free-kick that was also dealt with by the defence.

The Greens fashioned two major chances in quick succession after the fifty minute mark, with Carella crossing into Joelma Alves Gabriel who got underneath the strike despite being unmarked, while Rebecca Bajada recovered the ball in midfield a few moments later to release Kelly Agius Pace. However, the forward struck straight at the keeper. Meanwhile, Michael Mangion appeared unhappy with the balance of the midfield and opted to swap Maia Debono and Chantelle Grech.

Despite this, San Gwann’s Kricak still managed to wriggle her way past a few markers before attempting to release Gheiti. However, Mgarr United’s goalkeeper Ebejer was quick off her line to sweep. At this point the match’s momentum appeared to be fading away with plenty of San Gwann’s players attempting to win free-kicks for every potential challenge, while the Greens had their own offenders too in this respect. Following a late challenge, Rabab Mhalli was taken off the pitch together with Shania Borg, with them being replaced by Maria Ibrahim and Fatma Al Girbi.

The opening goal finally came in the seventy-first minute as Rebecca Bajada applied the pressure to force an errant clearance by San Gwann’s midfield which sent the ball into their box. Agius Pace did well to win the tussle with the defender before picking her spot to find the back of the net past the onrushing Caruana, to the roar of the crowd supporting the Greens.

Camilleri Doubles the Lead

Although they fell behind, San Gwann continued showing character with Kricak continuing to orchestrate play. A cross with the outside of the foot almost found Gheiti’s run but Chantelle Grech headed to safety. Meanwhile, a long-distance free-kick struck by Nicole Camenzuli was collected by Patricia Ebejer.

The Greens were forced into substituting Rebecca Bajada shortly after who appeared to be in some discomfort, while Kelsey Vella was also taken off. They were replaced by Mirayah Aquilina who was a straight swap for Vella in the right-back role, while Shakira Grace Camilleri came on for Bajada, pushing Carella into the wing role, while Camilleri partnered Agius Pace up front.

The second goal of the night came toward the 71st minute, from a corner that saw San Gwann’s camp quite frustrated with the call from the referees. However, Abigail Camilleri made the most of it, sending the ball straight into the net from the corner flag to the eruption of the Greens and dismay of the onlooking San Gwann fans.

Unfortunately at this point, the tension that had built on the pitch and in the stands appeared to result in both sides of the onlooking crowd taking more personal aim at the opposing players rather than celebrate their own team’s achievements. While the game’s physicality was welcomed, things heated up quite a bit on the pitch and the referee had to diffuse the situation more than once.

Late in the match, the coaches mirrored each other’s substitutions, with Michael Mangion opting to give Leslye Espinel Bautista a late first appearance in replacement of Daniela Said Ebejer. Meanwhile, Julian Camilleri gave Yasmin Attard a few minutes up top in replacement of Nilayza Attard.

Rapa’s Injury Deflates Crowd, San Gwann Consoled by Penalty Strike

As the game drew to a close San Gwann’s captain, Annabelle Rapa, was struck by a cleared ball which prompted lengthy treatment. The injury appears to be a serious one requiring the player to be stretchered out from the pitch. On the other hand, one notes the positive improvement in regard to the health and safety procedures observed on the pitch from instances lamented about in the previous months, including the teamwork observed between first-aiders even from Mgarr United’s side. One hopes this is something that is kept up throughout the season, in all venues. Meanwhile, in a game that had been edging toward rather primitive behaviour from all involved, it was great to see the camaraderie return in aid of the player.

The captain was replaced by Cassidy Mihalic, while Mgarr United also introduced Maria Mizzi who replaced Joelma Alves Gabriel. Despite the injury woes and the defeat, the Yellows finished the match on a high after Shania Gheiti won a penalty for her team, allowing Andjela Kricak to end her debut with a goal for San Gwann, despite Patricia Ebejer guessing correctly.

Full-Time Score: San Gwann 1 – 2 Mgarr United

Next Matches

The two teams will next participate in a double-header that will be taking place next Saturday 2nd September at Dingli Ground. San Gwann will open proceedings against Lija Athletic at 18:30, which will be followed by Mgarr United against Hibernians (kick-off 21:00).

Saturday 27th August sets up final two matches of the opening fixtures of the league to be played at Dingli Ground, as Hibernians welcome Valletta (18:30), which will be followed by Swieqi United against Mtarfa (21:00).

Lead Photo by Lara Schembri: Kelly Agius Pace celebrating the opening goal for Mgarr

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