Mtarfa Lift Themselves With Win Against San Gwann

Mtarfa FC won the bottom-of-the-table clash against San Gwann on Monday night, to the jubilation of the Mtarfa support. Jeanelle Falzon earned her maiden senior goal for the team by converting from the spot, which ended up being the only difference between the two sides. The win pushes Mtarfa FC into the sixth spot in the league, ahead of the yellows who drop to seventh place.

Team News

Mtarfa’s Dorienne Grech returned in goal and captained the blues. Thea Ida Scicluna partnered Darya Attard in defence, with Rebecca Zammit and Paula Ciappara retaining their roles as fullbacks. Kirsty Paris made a start on the left wing, ahead of Angele Fenech who dropped to the bench, while Jasmine Camilleri kept her place on the right. The central midfield roles were handed to Shania Spiteri, Jeanelle Falzon and Slavina Peneva. Eliza Csik started as the lone striker.

Meanwhile, San Gwann’s Raymond Sant opted for a back four consisting of Kirstie Vella, Nicole Camenzuli, Maria Ibrahim and Sarah Cassar. Captain Annabelle Rapa partnered Martina Schembri in midfield, while Shanice Grixti and Yasmine Spiteri occupied the wings. Josianne Attard supported striker  Yasmin Attard at the start of the match.

Mtarfa Settle Early

The blues were off to the races from the start, showing confidence on the ball and linking well in attack. Jasmine Camilleri made a blistering run up the pitch, linking well with Eliza Csik who laid the pass to Shania Spiteri at the edge of the box toward the sixth minute of play. Spiteri was fouled while taking the shot, prompting the referee to award a free-kick right on the edge of the box in a central position. Jeanelle Falzon’s strike sailed above the crossbar, however, the positive attacking play set the level for the night for those involved in the build-up.

Annabelle Rapa rallied her troops with a run up the field, leading San Gwann to a threatening corner shortly after. However, Jeanelle Falzon cleared the ball at the near post to relieve the pressure from Mtarfa’s goal. Further attacks were thwarted by Thea Ida Scicluna and Darya Attard. The blues earned another freekick on the quarter-hour mark but Justyne Falzon was well-positioned to collect the ball. At this point, the blues started to dominate possession pinning San Gwann into their own half.

Mtarfa Break the Deadlock

A tactical switch by Simon Spiteri to swap Eliza Csik to the wing and Kirst Paris up front paid dividends as the former played through Paris, who was subsequently clipped in the box prompting the referee to point to the spot. Jeanelle Falzon took charge and slotted it home to the jubilation of the Mtarfa support.

Mtarfa had another chance on the 40^th minute mark when Darya Attard made a run up field and played through Eliza Csik who made the run inside from the left wing. The striker attempted to curl from the tight angle but there was not enough power allowing Justyne Caruana to claim.

The blues almost played themselves into trouble at the latter end of the half when attempting to play out from the back. Though Yasmin Attard positioned herself to win the ball, her strike veered away from the goal, leaving Dorienne Grech largely untroubled throughout the half.

Half-Time Score: Mtarfa FC 1 – 0 San Gwann FC

San Gwann’s Response Thwarted by Mtarfa

Raymond Sant attempted to fire his side into action by bringing on Shania Gheiti and Julia Egging, in replacement of Yasmine Spiteri and Josianne Attard, at the start of the second half. The two substitutes joined Yasmin Attard up front, with Egging occupying the central role.

The positive change gave San Gwann more outlets going forward and helped the yellows get further forward. The game rather heated up in the second half, both on and off the pitch. Although it bubbled in the first half, things truly kicked off when the referee blew for a foul on Kirsty Paris toward the 60^th minute. Mtarfa’s number 44 took her time on the floor, prompting San Gwann’s supporters and players alike to voice their dismay to the referee, while Mtarfa’s sizeable group of fans did their best to continue winding them up. Understandably, this was a game neither side wanted to lose.

One of the better chances for San Gwann came in the 72^nd minute as a long ball caused some miscommunication between Thea Ida Scicluna and Dorienne Grech. San Gwann had two strikers on the charge but ultimately Grech was caught in the action and the referee stopped play.

Ten minutes later Martina Schembri struck from distance, and Julia Egging was almost able to hit a rebound, but Dorienne Grech reclaimed the loose ball before the striker had a chance to do so. Shortly after, San Gwann worked themselves in a four versus three situation when Nicole Camenzuli recovered the ball in midfield. However, Yasmin’s Attard’s cross was deflected for a corner in an all too familiar pattern on the night. From then on Mtarfa saw off the game confidently until the final whistle, upon which fans and players alike erupted in celebration.

League Standings & Fixtures

Mtarfa FC have thus doubled their tally for the season to 6 points. The blues will play their final game of the Assikura Women’s League for this season next Thursday night at 8:30 pm at the Mgarr Ground. They will face Mgarr United, where the latter will be looking to secure the win to finish the season in third place.

Meanwhile, San Gwann will play their final fixture on Saturday 29^th April, in a 2pm afternoon kick-off at the Centenary Stadium. The yellows face yet unbeaten Birkirkara FC, who will lift the trophy at the end of the match irrespective of the result.

The next match in the Assikura Women’s League will be between Swieqi United and Raiders Lija FC who will finalise their commitments of the season next Wednesday 27^th April at 8:00 pm at the Centenary Stadium.