by Birkirkara put stock to their intent of defending the title with a 4 – 0 victory against Mgarr United. Erica Bispo grabbed a hat-trick, while Alishia Cassar completed the score. Mgarr United will rue missed opportunities, though somewhat hard-done by on the night having struck the post twice and denied Birkirkara’s Erica Bispo from the spot.
Team Selections
Patricia Ebejer retained he place in goal for the Greens, behind a defence consisting of Rebecca Bajada, Leanne Cefai, captain Abigail Camilleri and Yanina Mendez. There were no changes in midfield either, as Amber Grech and Ann-Marie Said continued to operate in front of the defence. Luz Hernandez and Alejandra Villegas Caly occupied the wings, while Yulya Carella supported Valeria Villegas Caly in attack.
Meanwhile, Janice Xuereb captained Birkirkara, continuing her stay in goal. Vince Galea stuck to a back three consisting of Charlene Zammit, Calista Schechinger and Valentina Rapa. Lara May Azzopardi and Mariah Cardona continued to operate on the wings, while Stella Francalanza was given the nod in midfield alongside the experienced Gabriella Zahra. Viverly Nanez supported Erica Bispo and Alishia Cassar in attack.
How It Unfolded
Mgarr United had an early chance to cause some damage with a corner which Yanina Mendez delivered deep toward Abigail Camilleri. However, Birkirkara put enough pressure to thwart the finish before breaking with pace. Despite this, the counter-attack was dealt with by Leanne Cefai.
The two sides grappled with possession, with Birkirkara breaking twice, but unable to make much headway. Erica Bispo and Gabriella Zahra both fired efforts but Patricia Ebejer was untroubled. At the other end, Mgarr United were putting their pace to good work, but thwarted with the final ball as crosses fizzed without a finish.
However, the Greens sounded a real warning shot from a corner in the 13th minute. Birkirkara failed to clear the ball effectively, allowing Alejandra Villegas Caly to fire the effort, only to see it clatter against the near post.
The two sides mirrored each other with a couple of free-kicks, before the defences continued earning the plaudits with crucial blocks put in to deny efforts on goal.
However, Birkirkara managed to break the deadlock in the 28th minute. Viverly Nanez’s pass deflected into the path of Erica Bispo who was in acres of space in the box. The Brazilian placed with precision into the bottom left corner, with the assistant referee Sara Kankaras getting an earful from the Mgarr support for not raising the flag for offside. Still, the goal stood with Luca Formosa pointing for the restart.
Elbows were out with the battle heating up further as Mgarr United chased the game, while Birkirkara were keen on getting themselves the comfort of a two goal cushion. However, neither side managed to trouble much before the half-time whistle.
Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 0 – 1 Birkirkara
Mgarr United had an early chance on the restart with a quick break orchestrated between Alejandra Villegas Caly and Luz Hernandez. However, Janice Xuereb did enough to throw off the Argentinian, before making the save against Yanina Mendez’s strike from the resulting corner.
However Birkirkara started to tease weighted balls over the top to good effect. Despite finding Patricia Ebejer keen to collect, Erica Bispo and Stella Francalanza both managed to cause problems, with the latter managing the strike but seeing it veer off target.
Birkirkara’s Vince Galea freshened up the side bringing on Luana Vitoria Cabral instead of Stella Francalanza, as they sought to extend.
The Greens responded with a quick break as Ann-Marie Said won the ball in midfield, before picking out the run of Valeria Villegas Caly. The Colombian shifted her body well to try to place the strike against the sweeping Janice Xuereb. However, the effort rolled just on the wrong side of the post, on an evening where that continued to be the tale for the Greens.
Having gotten into hot water as they appeared undecided over a simple corner decision earlier on, there was hesitancy from the officials in the 60th minute over a handsball. However, Luca Formosa ultimately pointed to the spot.
Erica Bispo lined up the effort, but Patricia Ebejer was equal to the task to dive to her right. Mariah Cardona’s rebound was also fended off, giving the Greens a crucial lifeline.
However, the Stripes were clinical on the chase just minutes later, this time operating the long-ball to good effect. Luana Vitoria Cabral launched it forward, and Erica Bispo got there ahead of Patricia Ebejer to dink it over the goalkeeper into the net for the second of the night.
Mgarr United pushed forward with aggression and pace, but it backfired against a quick transition. Erica Bispo released Alishia Cassar who made the diagonal run, before the number nine fired a left boot to slot it into the right side of the net.
Yet to win a match in this phase and having always been close in the score, the Stripes were in no mood to let the Greens have any respite. The defending champions continued creating chances.
Erica Bispo wrapped up the hat-trick in the 75th minute following a corner, with the Brazilian firing at the near post, before running off in celebration toward the bench.
Despite the score, Mgarr United continued to fight to get themselves on the scoresheet, but their story of the night continued in the same vein. Ann-Marie Said attempted to curl a direct free-kick toward the far post which like many attempts for the Greens on the night, just fizzed wide. Yulya Carella was next to be denied from a spectacular long-range effort that rang the crossbar.
Vince Galea shored up his defence, bringing on Izabella Camilleri instead of Calista Schechinger. Viverly Nanez retreated into defence, while Camilleri broke things in midfield. The Greens continued throwing pace forward, but struggled to link up play further to threaten Birkirkara’s clean sheet.
Final Score: Mgarr United 0 – 4 Birkirkara
Standings & Next Matches
Birkirkara secure their first win in the phase to take their tally to 37 points, and close the gap to Hibernians and Mgarr United (39). The result means that Swieqi United sit top with three points in hand at the end of the round.
The final round of the Top Four will start next week in a double-header at Charles Abela Stadium on Saturday (15th). Birkirkara will face Hibernians at 14:00, before Mgarr United meet Swieqi United at 16:30.
However, before then there is plenty more football from the Bottom Four pool, as Mtarfa take on Lija Athletic at 14:00 this afternoon, before Valletta meet San Gwann at 16:30. Both matches will be played at Dingli Ground.
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