by San Gwann secured a 2 – 1 victory against Valletta. Chaimaa Tourki got San Gwann going minutes into the match, but the side had to wait until the second half to find the second through Hailey Russell. Sabrin Blihi got Valletta’s comeback on track, but the side could not equalise before the final whistle.
Team Selections
San Gwann’s Justyne Caruana continued to protect the goal. Naomi Blundell partnered Nanako Kobayashi in defence, while Kirstie Vella and captain Annabelle Rapa operated as full-backs. Fatma Al Girbi started in front of the defence, with Martina Schembri and Rabab Mhalli operating further forward in midfield. Shania Gheiti spearheaded the attack, flanked by Hailey Russell and Chaimaa Tourki.
Meanwhile, Gabriella Grima returned in goal for Valletta, protected by the trio of captain Anna Aloisio, Sabrin Blihi and Eunice Micallef. Monique Sultana started in the centre of the park, flanked by Lilou Lucas and Lucie Lucas. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco and Oriane Le Gouez operated as wing-backs. Ylenia Grech supported Rodianne Zerafa in attack.
How It Unfolded
Valletta’s Rodianne Zerafa fired an early shot from inside the box, but found Justyne Caruana primed to make the initial save and catch it before Oriane Le Gouez managed to pounce on the rebound.
San Gwann hit right back where it hurt with Chaimaa Tourki breaking the deadlock just six minutes into it. Hailey Russell sped on the left wing before squaring it to Shania Gheiti who laid it for the Moroccan first time. Chaimaa Tourki placed across into the bottom left corner of the net for the opener.
San Gwann pushed forward controlling the early spell of possession, with Chaimaa Tourki having another go at it with another left-footed effort. However, Gabriella Grima was well placed to make the save.
Valletta responded with a chance of their own from a corner a quarter of an hour into it. Ylenia Grech delivered into the six-yard box, with Valletta managing a header in the crowded area but finding Justyne Caruana ready to make a diving save at full stretch.
Anna Aloisio stopped San Gwann from a counter-attack shortly after. However, Rabab Mhalli was alert to intercept play and try to launch one of her own shots, only to find Sabrin Blihi who made the block.
Valletta’s Jean Lopes was dishing out instructions, pushing his team out of their shell, with the side struggling to have a presence in midfield and squandering possession. However, the side grew toward the half hour mark, with the tables turning as Julian Camilleri and Annabelle Rapa were next to urge San Gwann to get back into control.
Still neither side managed to get much going in goal-mouth action with San Gwann walking into the break with a narrow lead.
Half-Time Score: San Gwann 1 – 0 Valletta
There were no substitutions at the break, but Jean Lopes tweaked his side with Oriane Le Gouez and Suzanne Farrugia Sacco shifting into midfield, while Lucie Lucas and Lilou Lucas moved to the wings.
San Gwann earned an early opportunity from a long-range free-kick. Fatma Al Girbi put power into it but saw it land just on the roof of the net.
Valletta came out stronger, with Lucie Lucas making an intelligent dink to get Ylenia Grech forward. However, Nanako Kobayashi shut the door Rodianne Zerafa was next to push forward and find space for a shot just outside the box. However, she pulled it just wide of the post.
On their part, San Gwann were keen on a quick build-up with Shania Gheiti and Hailey Russell combining again, but finding Sabrin Blihi ready to clear. However, the side secured the comfort of a second goal in the 58th minute. Hailey Russell founds space for a long-range effort which looped into the right side of the net.
Valletta responded shortly after, getting themselves on the scoresheet in the 64th minute. Gabriella Grima launched a free-kick from midfield finding Sabrin Blihi at the left post, who flicked it with perfect weighting over into the far corner of the net. The defender was in no mood to waste time, speeding to get the ball back to the centre circle and her team ready for more.
The side started stringing more possession, with the match heating up as the clock ran on. Referee Jo-Anna Vassallo was having no disrespect, communicating with assistant Raymond Tabone to send off one of Valletta’s substitutes in the 74th minute.
Valletta continued in their pursuit for the equaliser, with the side earning a free-kick right on the edge of the box after San Gwann’s Chaimaa Tourki clipped Ylenia Grech as she tried to get the ball back into the box following a corner. Rodianne Zerafa delivered deep toward the far post, with the ball headed but finding Justyne Caruana reacting well to keep it out. San Gwann’s support roared against that of Valletta, with the side keen on keeping their lead.
Both coaches freshened things up for the final ten minutes, with Shania Gheiti making way for Nilayza Attard, while Megan La Rosa and Lisa Vella took to the pitch instead of Suzanne Farrugia Sacco and Rodianne Zerafa for Valletta.
Valletta gave it a last shot, but found San Gwann solid in defending their lines following a corner, before Oriane Le Gouez fired a left-footed effort which was saved by Justyne Caruana. The Yellows successfully ran down the clock to ensure the three points to the cheer of their support.
Final Score: San Gwann 2 – 1 Valletta
Standings & Next Matches
San Gwann extend their lead to eight points over Valletta, at the top of the Bottom Four pool. They will next welcome Mtarfa on Saturday 8th February at Dingli Ground (14:00). Valletta follow suit against Lija Athletic at 16:30.
Tonight presents a second fixture from this matchday with Mtarfa and Lija Athletic battling it out at the Charles Abela Stadium at 20:30. Saturday presents the double-header at Dingli Ground from the Top Four, as Swieqi United take on Hibernians for first place at 14:00, before Mgarr welcome Birkirkara at 16:30.
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