San Gwann Claim First Bragging Rights With Win Over Lija Athletic

San Gwann captured their second victory of the season by a 2-1 score over Lija Athletic. Hailey Russell’s initial goal was immediately cancelled by Lija’s Vanessa Honorio Carneiro in the first-half. However, Yasmin Attard sealed the victory for the Yellows in the second stint.

Team Selections

San Gwann’s Justyne Caruana made her first start of the season. She was protected by the trio of Jeanelle Falzon, Nanako Kobayashi and Kirstie Vella. Captain Annabelle Rapa started on the right wing, while Rabab Mhalli occupied the left. Fatma Al Girbi partnered Chaimaa Tourki in midfield. Hailey Russell supported Yasmin Attard and Thais Muscat in attack.

Meanwhile, Christiana Pisani continued her stay in goal behind a back four consisting of Rachel Mifsud, Nell Zarb Cousin, Ylenia Azzopardi and Samira Bouzid. Shakira Bugeja started in midfield alongside Kylie Pantalleresco and Maria Ibrahim who started against her former team. Edera Marmara’ and captain Leanne Micallef supported Vanessa Honorio Carneiro in attack.

How It Unfolded

The match kicked off in a disrupted rhythm, with both sides looking to get stuck in. San Gwann dominated the majority of opportunities created from set-pieces, but the side struggled to truly utilise the corner opportunities.

Lija Athletic responded with a rare attempt as Rachel Mifsud launched a ball forward. Edera Marmara’ fought off the challenge from Kirstie Vella, to find the space for the shot. However, Justyne Caruana got both hands on it, before clutching.

The game continued in a stop-start manner with San Gwann earning the majority of the dead ball situations. However, the Yellows started to truly turn the cogs more as the half-hour mark approached. The Yellows looked to overwhelm the right wing, however found staunch opposition from Samira Bouzid and Ylenia Azzopardi.

Meanwhile, Lija Athletic’s contingent was getting increasingly frustrated by the decisions going against them, arguing soft fouls. The Sky Blues were struggling to get themselves on the ball and get any attacking momentum. However, Leanne Micallef and Vanessa Carneiro were keen on trying to link together twice, but Nanako Kobayashi was alert to the danger on both occasions. Leanne Micallef did manage to get a cross in on one occasion, but Chaimaa Tourki was first to the ball to clear.

At the other end, Chaimaa Tourki was managing to work sporadic combinations with Hailey Russell, but neither could trouble Christiana Pisani. However, Julian Camilleri was urging his team to be smarter with possession, knowing his team was commanding the momentum in the match, but struggling to make it pay.

The side did get their noses in front in the 39th minute, through Hailey Russell who fired from distance to find the near side of the net.

However, the celebrations were shortly deafened by those of Lija Athletic who responded immediately. Leanne Micallef fed a ball for Vanessa Honorio Carneiro who made a good diagonal run to get between the defenders. The Brazilian showed good control before chipping the goalkeeper to find the bottom right corner for the equaliser.

Hailey Russell attempted to get the team in front again just before half-time. She did well to beat two players, but found Nell Zarb Cousin ready to dispossess her to deny a free run on goal.

Half-Time Score: San Gwann 1 – 1 Lija Athletic

No changes were made at the break by either side, with the match kicking off in a similar vein. Kylie Pantalleresco was the first to be replaced after sustaining an injury in collision with Chaimaa Tourki, as she attempted to halt the Moroccan’s run. Mariah Schembri took to the pitch in the left-back position, with Samira Bouzid moving into centre-back and Ylenia Azzopardi advancing into midfield. Fatma Al Girbi worked the free-kick short to Hailey Russell who managed to get a shot away, but the deflection knocked off the power for an easy collection for Christiana Pisani.

San Gwann re-captured the momentum they had in possession and taking it forward, while Lija Athletic continued retreating into their half, with little to shout for in the other direction. However, Julian Camilleri was once more urging his team to focus in using their opportunities.

Hailey Russell continued to be a nuisance for Lija Athletic, skipping past four players before crossing the ball from the byline. However, there was no one following it up in the box, marking another missed opportunity for the Yellows.

Despite this, the side did manage to get the winning goal, in the 67th minute. Rabab Mhalli crossed into the box, which was initially cleared. However, the ball fell straight into the path of Yasmin Attard who fired low into the far left corner to send San Gwann into the lead once more.

As expected the game heated up another few degrees, with the fury in the stands starting to get to a few from Lija Athletic’s players. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro landed herself in the book for lashing out at the officials, while the striker was evidently urging her team to react and get back into the match.

Jethron Azzopardi deployed the speedy Katryna Grech in the 73rd minute, instead of Edera Marmara’, with Maria Ibrahim shifting sides on the wings.

Lija Athletic did manage to create a good spell of forward momentum shortly after. Leanne Micallef launched a deep corner, with several players calling for a penalty in the box, but the referees saw no infringement. Ylenia Azzopardi followed up with a shot, but it was caught on the line by Justyne Caruana. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro also attempted to release Leanne Micallef out wide a few minutes later, but showed frustration at overcooking the pass.

Despite also gaining a few more set-piece opportunities, San Gwann’s threat continued to be ever-present through the willing runs of Chaimaa Tourki and Hailey Russell. However, Lija’s defence managed to keep the ball out, maintaining the same score until the full-time whistle.

Final Score: San Gwann 2 – 1 Lija Athletic

Next Matches

San Gwann take their tally to six points and will have bragging rights until the next encounter between the two. The team will have a short turn-around, as they next meet Swieqi United at the Centenary Stadium this Thursday (19th) at 20:15.

On the other hand, Lija Athletic will rue the three points and will hope to return to a positive result in their next match. They face Mtarfa on Friday 20th at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, at 20:30.

The other match on Saturday finished in a goalless draw between Valletta and Mgarr United.

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