San Gwann Down Mtarfa For First Win Of The Season

A brace from Andjela Kricak and a goal from Chaimaa Tourki gave San Gwann a comfortable 3-0 win over the Blues. The Yellows’ victory was dampened by Nicole Camenzuli being carried off the pitch in the final seconds. Meanwhile, makeshift patch-work of an area of the turf and the use of a match-ball with inadequate pressure continued to set the groundbreaking standards of the local game.

Team News

San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri kept faith in Justyne Caruana in goal, who was protected by the trusted back-three of Nicole Camenzuli, captain Annabelle Rapa and Kirstie Vella. In midfield, Rabab Mhalli and Nilayza Attard were preferred on the wings, while Martina Schembri, Fatma Al Girbi occupied the centre-of the park. Chaimaa Tourki occupied a more advanced role alongside Andjela Kricak, while Francesca Zarb was the furthers forward.

Meanwhile, Mtarfa were led onto the pitch by their captain and goalkeeper Dorienne Grech. She was protected by a back four, with Nicole Mifsud partnering Rebecca Zammit in the centre, while Corine Deguara and Kerrie Ciappara provided the width. Darya Attard was moved into midfield from defensive duties, while Eliza Czik was retreated alongside her. Shania Spiteri completed the midfield. In attack, Laura Echeverri Tobon and Paula Ciappara provided the width to Estelle Borg.

Still Trying To Get Basics Done Right

The match had not even started before Mtarfa’s personnel were reporting a torn area of turf in the penalty box in the warm up. Calling into action a number of officials resulted into a makeshift patched up solution, which was deemed enough for the match to be played.

The referee’s kick-off whistle was then delayed through the lack of availability of match balls, following which the referee prompted players kicking off the match to choose from the two available balls, both of which lacked the necessary pressure. Those are the conditions in which a high-stakes match for these two teams, striving to get their first win of the season, kicked off to.

Even Opening And First Goal

The two sides tussled for space and possession in the opening minutes as each attempted to assert control over the match. San Gwann managed to get in their first real attempt into the first minute, as Chaimaa Tourki got behind the defensive line and struck goalward from a tight angle. However, Dorienne Grech was well positioned to collect at the near post. The Yellows managed to win their first corner of the match on the five minute mark but could not trouble the Blues with their short-kick routine.

Meanwhile, Mtarfa grew into the match and had an opportunity to nudge themselves in front ten minutes in, as Shania Spiteri made a dart into the box and met a cross. However, she was unable to test Justyne Caruana as she got underneath the shot. At the other end, Chaimaa Tourki was on the hunt once more, this time striking a sweet volley but was also whiskers away from the post. The Blues had an opportunity to strike from a central free-kick a few minutes later. Darya Attard struck with venom from distance, but was also just wide of the post.

San Gwann returned fire through Chaimaa Tourki after good work from Martina Schembri to win the ball in midfield. She released San Gwann’s number eight who struck with the laces but Dorienne Grech parried for a corner.

However, having knocked on the door, the Yellows found their opening goal twenty-one minutes into the match through Andjela Kricak. The Serbian made her way into the edge of the penalty area before striking a left boot which sent the ball nestling into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Mtarfa’s Simon Spiteri made a change in defence shortly after, bringing on Angele Fenech in replacement of Kerrie Ciappara in the right-back role. The Blues had two opportunities to get a goal back soon after. A well-taken corner kick found Paula Ciappara in the box who side-footed a ricocheted ball, but Justyne Caruana moved well to get behind the shot. A few minutes later, Eliza Czik recovered the ball in midfield and immediately set off Estelle Borg behind the defence on the counter. However, her shot was at a comfortable height for Justyne Caruana who approached well from her goal.

San Gwann Extend Lead

The Yellows thought they had found their second thirty-five minutes into the half as Rabab Mhalli placed into the net a pass from Andjela Kricak. However, the goal was pulled back for offside. Despite this, they did not have to wait long as Kricak struck the second three minutes later, with another low drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Mtarfa responded with a free-kick opportunity but did not put enough pressure on the goalkeeper who collected the delivery. Instead, it was San Gwann’s Kricak who came close to completing the hattrick three minutes later, dribbling past her marker before trying to bend a shot into the far corner. However, she was denied by the woodwork. The Serbian linked well with Chaimaa Tourki a few moments later to get another attempt at it, but Dorienne Grech was equal to the shot. Martina Schembri registered a long-distance attempt on the stroke of half-time but it flew just above the bar.

Half-Time Score: San Gwann 2 – 0 Mtarfa

San Gwann Make It Three

There were no changes at half-time, with both teams struggling to make in-roads for a good ten minutes into the half. Mtarfa’s Simon Spiteri looked to spark some life into the match by bringing on Maria Abdilla in the fifty-fourth minute, who replaced Laura Echeverri Tobon. Abdilla stood in midfield as Shania Spiteri moved more forward, while Estelle Borg shifted to the wide role.

Despite this, San Gwann were on the hunt for more and their efforts paid more dividends in the fifty-fifth minute. Andjela Kricak made a splitting run from midfield dribbling past three markers and once into space released Chaimaa Tourki. Having gotten close time and time again, she got herself on the scoresheet by dribbling past her own marker and goalkeeper before placing into the net for San Gwann’s third.

Mtarfa’s Simon Spiteri responded with three changes. Angele Fenech gave way to Elisa Azzopardi. Meanwhile, Nicole Mifsud and Paula Ciappara were replaced by Alice Ferrari and Shakira Falzon. Ferrari slotted in midfield, pushing Darya Attard in the heart of the defence instead of Mifsud, while the other changes were straight swaps.

San Gwann attempted to capitalise on the changes in defence with Tourki striking another shot but Grech was equal to it once more. The Blues set off on a counter-attack with Estelle Borg driving up the wing and crossing into Shania Spiteri. The number twenty hit the ball first time but Justyne Caruana was determined to keep her clean sheet.

At the other end, San Gwann continued to push on. Fatma Al Girbi struck twice from distance but could not quite get the shots on target, having instead to watch them drive just past the wrong side of the post. Andjela Kricak also tapped a cross into the goal but her hattrick was denied once more, as the ball was deemed to have run out of play before the cross had been hit.

Julian Camilleri made a number of changes in the latter stages of the match, bringing on Shania Gheiti, Yasmin Attard and Kya Veronique Mamo in replacement of Nilayza Attard, Francesca Zarb and Rabab Mhalli. He also gave minutes to Hayley Gray in goal and Maria Ibrahim in the latter stages of the match. Unfortunately, the match ended on a sour note for the Yellows as Nicole Camenzuli had to be carried off from the pitch in the final seconds of the match because of injury. No stretcher was in sight.

Full-Time Score: San Gwann 3 – 0 Mtarfa

Next Matches

Mtarfa will still be searching for their first points when they take to the pitch against Lija Athletic next Friday 20th October at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, at 20:30. Meanwhile, San Gwann will be boosted by the three points which take them into sixth place with four points, above the two mentioned sides. The Yellows will face a tough task out next Saturday 21st October as they welcome Hibernians, who will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season which they suffered at the hands of Birkirkara. The match kicks off at 15:00 at Mgarr Ground.

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X