San Gwann Make It Five In A Row With Victory Over Mtarfa

San Gwann continued their winning run with a 5 – 1 victory against Mtarfa. Chaimaa Tourki and Hailey Russell grabbed a brace apiece. Mtarfa succumbed to an own goal, but did enough to ruin San Gwann’s scoresheet with a late goal by Eliza Csik.

Team Selections

Justyne Caruana started in goal for San Gwann, protected by the quartet of Kirstie Vella, Nanako Kobayashi, Naomi Blundell and Kirsty Paris. Captain Annabelle Rapa started in a midfield trio with Fatma Al Girbi and Martina Schembri. Hailey Russell led the line, flanked by Katrin Abela and Chaimaa Tourki.

Mtarfa’s captain Dorienne Grech started in goal protected by a four-piece defence, with Angele Fenech and Claire Versteegh flanking Rebecca Zammit and Paula Ciappara. Oumayma Jelili and Jasmine Camilleri occupied the wings, while Shania Spiteri, Eliza Csik and Katie Gribbon operated in midfield. Maria Abdilla led the attack.

How It Unfolded

The match kicked off in windy conditions but in the absence of rain, on a pitch with sporadic waterlogged areas that made for some tricky moments in play.

Dorienne Grech was called to action early on, making an initial save against Hailey Russell, who had worked the shot inside the box following work by Chaimaa Tourki to get the ball into the box.

Mtarfa responded with Paula Ciappara venturing forward with the ball. Katie Gribbon picked up the pieces to release Oumayma Jelili with a diagonal run. However, Justyne Caruana was untroubled by the shot. The Blues’ Eliza Csik was also keen on pushing the side forward, with an attempt to release Maria Abdilla behind the defence. She pushed on but was met by Justyne Caruana who won the free-kick for her troubles.

Having had an earlier corner defended, San Gwann broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute. Hailey Russell delivered into the six-yard box, with Chaimaa Tourki applying the finish into the gaping net.

The Yellows attempted a quick double, with Dorienne Grech making an initial save against Hailey Russell attempted low effort. Katrin Abela lobbed the rebound from distance, but could not find the target.

Mtarfa’s Eliza Csik managed another positive drive, pushing in between San Gwann’s central defensive pairing, but overran the opportunity with Justyne Caruana off her line to collect.

Instead the Yellows earned themselves a comfortable scoreline with precise efforts from distance. Hailey Russell put her name on the scoresheet with an effort into the top right corner in the 36th minute. Chaimaa Tourki followed suit with another long-range effort in the 43rd minute.

Half-Time Score: San Gwann 3 – 0 Mtarfa

Both coaches made changes at the break. Simon Spiteri brought on Danna Fuentes Alvarez instead of Katie Gribbon. Julian Camilleri made a double change. Shania Gheiti replaced Katrin Abela, while Mariama Kasin debuted in the centre of the defence, with Kirsty Paris making way and Naomi Blundell occupying the left-back position.

San Gwann did not take long to increase their tally, with the fourth goal arriving just three minutes into the half. Chaimaa Tourki fired a shot that was saved by Dorienne Grech, but the Blues had little luck with the ball ricocheting right off Rebecca Zammit and into the back of the net.

Referee Kyle Cini was fairly untroubled thus far, with assistants Huseyin Baykus and Milos Solakovic receiving some stick over offside calls which they largely appeared unfazed by.

The Blues earned themselves a cheap corner which they almost made pay in the 68th minute. Rebecca Zammit delivered toward Claire Versteegh who powered a header but saw it land just whiskers from the post.

Both coaches freshened their side with Jeanelle Falzon making an appearance into defence for San Gwann, as Fatma Al Girbi made way. Nanako Kobayashi shifted into midfield. Meanwhile, Katya Camilleri replaced Maria Abdilla for Mtarfa, while Kerrie Ciappara took to the pitch instead of Oumayma Jelili.

Although Mtarfa were keen on making something from a free-kick, it was San Gwann who got close to increasing the tally with a forward drive from Naomi Blundell. The youngster powered her way on the left wing, before firing a shot that Dorienne Grech palmed, clipping the post on its way.

Things escalated on the pitch, with lingering feet leaving their mark across the pitch. Claire Versteegh landed in the book for shoving Annabelle Rapa. Still, both sides continued pushing for more. San Gwann almost made a counter-attack pay off as Hailey Russell picked up a clearance from Jeanelle Falzon and released Naomi Blundell wide. She fed Shania Gheiti who got the better of her first marker, before Claire Versteegh shut the door.

San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri made a late double switch, bringing on Thais Muscat instead of Chaimaa Tourki, while Nilayza Attard replaced Martina Schembri. Mtarfa’s Emily Gatt also made a late appearance instead of Jasmine Camilleri.

The match reached its climax with two goals at either end. Hailey Russell combined with Shania Gheiti to get herself past the defence, before dribbling the goalkeeper and placing into the net for the fifth goal in the 88th minute.

However, Mtarfa got rewarded for their perseverance, with Katya Camilleri releasing Eliza Csik at the other end. The Hungarian fired across from the right side of the box and into the bottom left corner to put the Blues and her name on the scoresheet once more.

Final Score: San Gwann 5 – 1 Mtarfa

Standings & Next Matches

San Gwann take their tally to 28 points, and edge closer to a positive goal difference. Mtarfa will take heart from ruining San Gwann’s clean sheet in their continued bid for an improved showing.

San Gwann will return against Lija Athletic at Dingli Ground, on Saturday 15th at 14:00, with the latter coming into it following a 1 – 0 win against Valletta later in the afternoon. Mtarfa will face Valletta starting at 16:30.

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