by Hibernians secured a 4 – 0 victory against San Gwann to kickstart their third round with three points. San Gwann had a horrible start with an own goal breaking the deadlock, before Hibernians put the result out of reach courtesy of goals by Leah Ayres, Francesca Bartolo and Nicole Sciberras.
Team Selections
San Gwann had a change in goal, with Geona Muscat making a start behind a defensive quartet led by Kirstie Vella (who captained the side) alongside Fatma Al Girbi, Rhea Borg and Amy Abela Spiteri. Nilayza Attard, Morena Fanega and Hailey Russell started in midfield, flanked by Naila Addo and Alicia Mifsud. Estelle Borg led the attack.
Maya Cachia retained her place in goal for a re-shuffled Hibernians. Natalee Geren started in defence alongside Jessica Dimech, with Yolande Attard and Cali Schechinger providing the width. Captain Nicole Sciberras continued a partnership with Francesca Bartolo. Sarah Vella Barberi and Kayleigh Chetcuti started on the flanks, with Ileana Farrugia starting behind Leah Ayres in attack.
How It Unfolded
The two sides donned fresh kits for their final appearance in 2025, but it was an otherwise horrible start for San Gwann. The Paolites sought an early start with pressure mounting inside the fourth minute. Cali Schechinger found Nicole Sciberras who made the run into the box, but the volley veered wide of the mark.
However, it was enough to ring alarms which paid off a minute later, with panic in the box leading to a miscued clearance from Kirstie Vella, compounded by poor positioning in goal, leading to the ball to bounce into the net for the opener.
The team in yellow continued to struggle to settle as Hibernians grew in further interest to kill off the match. Leah Ayres was causing all sorts of trouble with the speedy forward looking to latch onto direct balls from the back and add to the tally against a defence that simply could not get to the ball first. However, Geona Muscat was doing just enough to keep the side in it.
Despite this, the next goal was inevitable and Leah Ayres buried the finish in the 25th minute. Francesca Bartolo released the forward with a perfectly weighted through-ball, which Ayres placed into the bottom right corner to make it two.
The Paolites maintained their grasp on proceedings, with little to shout for in the other way, except for a set-piece that was launched from midfield. However, Cali Schechinger headed that out before Hibernians were back on the hunt.
Having already grabbed an assist, Francesca Bartolo netted her first goal in Hibernians colours in the 41st minute. Sarah Vella Barberi delivered from the wing, finding Bartolo at the far post who headed it into the net.
Half-Time Score: San Gwann 0 – 3 Hibernians
There was a lengthy line-up at the restart with both coaches making a number of changes. Julian Camilleri deployed four new players as Mariama Kasim and Sabrin Blihi replaced Fatma Al Girbi and Nilayza Attard. Annabelle Rapa and Rodianne Zerafa also took to the pitch instead of Alicia Mifsud and Estelle Borg.
Meanwhile, Martina Borg made a change in goal, with Maya Muscat coming onto the pitch instead of Maya Cachia. Georgiana Mifsud replaced Ileana Farrugia, with the defence shifting into a trio, while Nyorah Celeste relieved Kayleigh Chetcuti to complete the forward line.
Hailey Russell made way for Martina Vassallo shortly after the hour mark for San Gwann, with the onus put squarely on Morena Fanega to try to get San Gwann going forward. Meanwhile, Amber Galea and Shana Farrugia replaced Jessica Dimech and Leah Ayres for Hibernians.
The corner count racked up for Hibernians, but the side struggled to utilise it effectively. However, the side kept up the intent to rotate possession and search for more. With San Gwann looking to mostly stay compact in their half, Natalee Geren was allowed to dribble straight into the final third before picking out Sarah Vella Barberi on the wing. However, Nicole Sciberras’ header was just wide of the mark.
Despite this, the skipper made it four in the 71st minute. Cali Schechinger continued to be frustrated by the crossbar, in her second of the night, but Sciberras was liveliest in the box to nudge the loose ball into the back of the net to finish off the scoring.
San Gwann put up a fight for a consolation goal late on, with Morena Fanega seeking to orchestrate a way through. Amy Abela Spiteri was a willing outlet on the wing, with the youngster winning a free-kick high up the pitch late on. Sabrin Blihi’s delivery was headed out by Georgiana Mifsud, but recycled by Rhea Borg back to the taker. However, the finish ended in the side netting. The side also failed to make inroads with another opportunity later on, with Maya Muscat fairly untroubled altogether.
The Paolites attempted to finish things off with a late goal, but Nyorah Celeste was denied at the near post to keep the score unchanged.
Final Score: San Gwann 0 – 4 Hibernians
Standings & Next Matches
Hibernians start the third round with a victory, ensuring that their gap to the leaders remains at eight points, and in doing so nudge themselves a point ahead of Swieqi United, who drop to third place. San Gwann remain in fifth place.
The Assikura Women’s League will be on hiatus for the Christmas period, with fixtures for the restart yet to be announced.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Brandon Bonett
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