by San Gwann landed a mighty blow with a 7 – 0 victory over rivals Lija Athletic. Hailey Russell got things going and ultimately grabbed five in the afternoon. Chaimaa Tourki and Nanako Kobayashi completed the scoring. San Gwann could have had more with Annabelle Rapa, Tourki and Kobayashi also striking the crossbar.
Team Selections
Justyne Caruana started between the sticks for San Gwann, protected by a back-three consisting of Jeanelle Falzon, Nanako Kobayashi and Kirstie Vella. Naomi Blundell and Rabab Mhalli operated as wing-backs, while captain Annabelle Rapa and Martina Schembri occupied the centre of the park. Shania Gheiti led the attack supported by Chaimaa Tourki and Hailey Russell.
Meanwhile, Isabel Sanchez started in goal for Lija Athletic. She was protected by a back-four, with captain Rachel Mifsud and Milena Stagno flanking Nell Zarb Cousin and Samira Bouzid. Sarah Caruana started in midfield alongside Kylie Pantalleresco. Leanne Micallef started further forward, flanked by Edera Marmara’ and Mariah Schembri. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro led the line.
How It Unfolded
San Gwann took charge of the match early on with Hailey Russell firing a pinpoint effort from the left side of the box to find the top right corner within the first two minutes. Lija Athletic attempted to find an early response, through Edera Marmara’ who was picked out wide but lacked control over the attempted volley.
The team in Yellow grew in confidence with quick one-touch football to create opportunities. Chaimaa Tourki and Hailey Russell worked a combination between them to release the latter on goal. However, Isabel Sanchez approached to close the angle.
Despite this, Sanchez could not keep out Russell in the twelfth minute, with the American converting the finish into right side of the goal to double her tally and the score in the 12th minute. Russell was on the trot once more just a couple of minutes later, earning San Gwann a penalty. Chaimaa Tourki made no mistake with a calm finish into the right side of the net to make it three inside the first quarter of an hour.
Lija Athletic earned themselves a corner with a chance to get something for themselves shortly after. Leanne Micallef delivered toward Kylie Pantelleresco who connected, but the deflection took the power off before Justyne Caruana collected the ball.
Although largely starved of possession, Vanessa Honorio Carneiro earned Lija another chance to get up the pitch after being found by Edera Marmara’. The Brazilian was smart against her opposition to earn a free-kick. Nell Zarb Cousin took charge but Justyne Caruana was commanding in the box to relieve pressure.
Still, the San Gwann train kept going with Hailey Russell delivering the fourth blow on the twenty minute mark. San Gwann’s number nine fired from distance, with Isabel Sanchez getting fingertips on it but not enough to keep it out.
Lija Athletic changed things in the 25th minute, shifting Sarah Caruana to the centre-back position, while Samira Bouzid moved into right-back. Rachel Mifsud partnered Kylie Pantalleresco in midfield.
Having displayed good link up play in attack, between Shania Gheiti, Hailey Russell, Chaimaa Tourki and Naomi Blundell, San Gwann continued to steadily build chances. Tourki did plenty of good work to finesse her way into the box close to the half-hour mark, before cutting back to Annabelle Rapa. The skipper fired from the edge of the box, only to be denied by the crossbar. Hailey Russell also attempted to get purchase on a free-kick but was just wide of the mark.
Lija Athletic managed to build a good attack with Samira Bouzid launching to Vanessa Honorio Carneiro. Her backheel released Edera Marmara’ on the wing, but Nanako Kobayashi was well positioned to intercept the cross. Marmara’s match ended shortly after following injury, with Katryna Grech taking her place.
San Gwann appeared certain to find the fifth with another penalty just before half-time, earned by Rabab Mhalli. However, Nanako Kobayashi’s effort was smacked against the crossbar.
Half-Time Score: San Gwann 4 – 0 Lija Athletic
Julian Camilleri made a change in defence at the break, bringing on Fatma Al Girbi in a swap with Kirstie Vella. The Yellows picked up where they left off. Shania Gheiti fed Hailey Russell, with the forward turning away from her markers before placing into the near left side of the net to make it five in the 51st minute.
Chaimaa Tourki was denied another goal by the crossbar just two minutes later in what would have been a contender for goal of the season with a dipping effort from distance.
There was a change at right back for Lija Athletic shortly after, with Corinne Deguara replacing Samira Bouzid. San Gwann’s Julian Camilleri looked to his bench once more on the hour mark, bringing on Kirsty Paris instead of Naomi Blundell. San Gwann kept piling chances with Hailey Russell and Tourki both having opportunities but missing the target from tight angles.
However, it was Nanako Kobayashi who delivered the sixth goal. Rabab Mhalli delivered from a corner, which Hailey Russell helped on, before the Japanese defender flicked into the net from a central position in the 64th minute.
Lija Athletic attempted to get something back with a free-kick which Vanessa Honorio Carneiro earned just outside the box. Leanne Micallef struck with power, with Justyne Caruana making an initial save before Nanako Kobayashi cleared to safety.
More changes ensued for San Gwann with Tracy Axiak taking place in defence, replacing Martina Schembri. The change pushed Fatma Al Girbi into midfield. Further swaps were made later on, bringing on Kelsey Cachia and Thais Muscat in straight changes with Jeanelle Falzon and Shania Gheiti. Kaia Piccinino also made a late appearance for Lija Athletic in defence, replacing Nell Zarb Cousin.
San Gwann continued to earn opportunities, with several free-kicks but Lija Athletic saw away the threats. However, Hailey Russell wrapped up the evening with another strike from distance to make it seven for the team and five for herself.
Final Score: San Gwann 7 – 0 Lija Athletic
Standings & Next Matches
San Gwann ensure distance in fifth place, taking their tally to thirteen points. Lija Athletic remain on six points in seventh, with Valletta sandwiched between them on eight.
The Assikura Women’s League will return in December, where San Gwann will meet Mgarr United on the 13th December at Charles Abela Stadium at 17:30. It will be a tough pill to swallow for Lija Athletic, but they return against Mtarfa on Saturday 7th December at Dingli Ground (16:30).
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