by San Gwann secured a 4 – 2 victory against Valletta to earn their first three points of the season. Hailey Russell got the side going, delivering a brace in the match, with Morena Fanega and Naila Addo completing the score. Valletta mounted a late resurgence, with Liliana Cohete striking the post, before Eliza Csik and Joelma Alves Gabriel halved the deficit.
Team Selections
San Gwann’s Justyne Caruana started in goal behind a trio of Kirstie Vella, Lisa Vella and Mariama Kasim. Kirsty Paris and Thais Muscat operated as wing-backs, with Rhea Borg and captain Annabelle Rapa holding the midfield. Morena Fanega and Hailey Russell provided support to Naila Addo in attack.
Dorienne Grech started in goal for Valletta, behind a back-four consisting of Nicole Grixti, Ilona Sultana, Sarah Micallef and Lorna-Maria Cassar. Shakira Bugeja started behind Eliza Csik and Ulani Awal in midfield. Captain Joelma Alves Gabriel started in attack, flanked by Liliana Cohete and Sarah Fenech.
How It Unfolded
It kicked off as a match between two sides hungry for points, with either side looking to catch an early break and inject some positive momentum into their season.
Neither could make early free-kick opportunities pay off, but Hailey Russell broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, with a strong supporting crowd making their voices heard in delight. The American fired a precise effort into the bottom left corner, converting the cross from the left wing, with Valletta ruing the opportunity to clear the danger.
Despite this the Citizens attempted to respond through consecutive corner-kick opportunities. Shakira Bugeja delivered into a dangerous area, but Joelma Alves Gabriel’s header was deflected for another, before Morena Fanega headed the second away. Hailey Russell set off on the counter but was well-thwarted.
Still, San Gwann continued to have the upper hand, with uncertainty at the back almost landing Valletta into hot-water. Naila Addo sped forward, with Dorienne Grech and Ilona Sultana caught in-between, though the defender recovered well enough for the clearance. San Gwann’s bench was left fuming, but the officials saw nothing sinister on the forward.
The Ghanaian caused more trouble, simply by playing to the whistle and keeping chase on what many deemed a lost cause, earning the side a throw in and forcing more pressure on the Citizens. However, the battle with Ilona Sultana continued to be a spectacle with the latter putting in a few more perfectly-timed tackles to deny the forward.
Addo had another major opportunity, with a free-kick delivery cleared poorly and landing at the feet of the Ghanaian. However, she skewed it wide in the 43rd minute.
Despite this, Morena Fanega sent San Gwann into the break two-goals to the good with a shot from just outside the box, that nestled into the right side of the net. Addo was again involved, with San Gwann displacing the Valletta defence effectively on the wing for the cross, before looping in Fanega.
Half-Time Score: San Gwann 2 – 0 Valletta
Changes ensued from both benches at the break. Julian Camilleri made a triple switch for San Gwann, with Fatma Al Girbi, Sabrin Blihi and Rodianne Zerafa all taking to the pitch, instead of Rhea Borg, Mariama Kasim and Thais Muscat. Somaya Muscat also took to the pitch for Valletta, replacing Ulani Belkis, with the youngster slotting out wide.
Fatma Al Girbi had an immediate impact. The midfielder ventured forward and fired an effort into the left post from distance, making it three in the 49th minute.
The onslaught continued, with Valletta holding off. Dorienne Grech swept effectively against another surge from Naila Addo, with the Ghanaian continuing to have the beating of the defence on pace.
However, San Gwann were off celebrating again in the 59th minute, with Hailey Russell delivering a low left-footed finish from the other side of the box, into the far left corner of the net.
Both coaches continued to rotate the team, with Nilayza Attard replacing Kirsty Paris on the wing, before Estelle Borg made an appearance instead of Naila Addo for San Gwann.
Dorienne Grech was forced off for Valletta, with Gabriella Grima taking her place instead. Sarah Fenech was also replaced by Edera Marmara’, as the side continued to shuffle formation with Liliana Cohete taking the central attacking position, and Joelma Alves Gabriel retreating in a supporting role. Aaliyah Bonnici Carbonaro also replaced Sarah Micallef in defence.
Somaya Muscat proved to be a positive injection for the Citizens with the youngster determined to push play forward on the wing. Though finding Lisa Vella keen on clearing ahead of Valletta’s forwards.
Despite this, Valletta mounted a late resurgence to good effect. Liliana Cohete was released behind with the Colombian smacking it against the near post from close range.
Though the Citizens appeared to rue their opportunity, the chance injected positive belief in the side. Eliza Csik displayed a bold individual run from midfield, cutting apart through San Gwann’s midfield and defence before slotting a low placed finish into the net on the 89th minute.
Joelma Alves Gabriel was found in space on the left side of the box shortly after, with the Brazilian firing a left-footed finish into the far-post to half the deficit in injury time.
Final Score: San Gwann 4 – 2 Valletta
Standings & International Break
San Gwann earn their first victory of the season, with the team heading off to the international break on four points. They will return against fourth-placed Birkirkara on the 11th December at the Centenary Stadium (20:30).
Valletta will regroup for their return against Swieqi United on the 13th December at 18:00, at the Charles Abela Stadium.
The last match of the weekend will be between Birkirkara and leaders Mgarr United at the Charles Abela Stadium at 18:00, before the league gives way to international football.
Malta’s senior side faces Croatia in a double-header on the 28th November (19:00) and the 1st December (17:00) at the Centenary Stadium. Malta’s U19s will also be in action in the UEFA Women’s U19 Championship Qualification matches.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Michael Azzopardi
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