by San Gwann churned out a 2-1 victory against Lija Athletic to ensure they maintain their noses in front between the two. Chaimaa Tourki and Andjela Kricak authored the goals, with Kricak also grabbing the assist for Tourki’s strike. Shakira Bugeja got Lija Athletic’s response.
Team Selections
Christiana Pisani started between the posts for Lija Athletic. Sarah Caruana continued her partnership with Nell Zarb Cousin at the back, while Mariah Schembri and Shakira Bugeja provided the width. Rachel Mifsud protected the defence. Captain Simone Buttigieg started further forward alongside Leanne Micallef. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro led the attack, while Elisa Xuereb and Ylenia Azzopardi started on the wings.
Justyne Caruana returned in goal for San Gwann, behind the experienced centre-back trio of Kirstie Vella, Annabelle Rapa and Thresa Scicluna. Rabab Mhalli and Cristina Hili started on the wings, while Fatma Al Girbi and Nilayza Attard occupied the centre of the park. Andjela Kricak orchestrated behind Shania Gheiti and Chaimaa Tourki.
Chances Go Begging
San Gwann settled quickly to create their first major opportunity five minutes into it. Andjela Kricak lobbed the defence releasing Shania Gheiti, but her flick went over the goalkeeper and over the bar. Kricak fired a shot from the edge of the box a couple of minutes later but saw her effort skim wide of the mark.
Lija Athletic responded with one of their best chances of the match close to the quarter hour mark. Simone Buttigieg released Vanessa Honorio Carneiro with an aerial ball from midfield. The Brazilian was the next to try to chip the goalkeeper, but like San Gwann’s Gheiti, saw her effort also dip behind the goal.
Eager to kill off any momentum for Lija Athletic, San Gwann continued putting forward pressure. However, the team was unable to trouble from set-pieces. The team in yellow continued to rain shots on Lija Athletic’s goal with Chaimaa Tourki, Rabab Mhalli, Fatma Al Girbi and Andjela Kricak all trying their luck but unable to find the back of the net.
Lija Athletic struggled to get on the ball but Simone Buttigieg managed to win the team a free-kick over the half hour mark. Shakira Bugeja pinged the delivery into the box, with Nell Zarb Cousin and Vanessa Honorio Carneiro both trying to get a head on, but resulting in an easy gather for Justyne Caruana.
Leanne Micallef was released on the right wing but her effort from the tight angle was always favouring the goalkeeper. Ylenia Azzopardi also managed to wriggle free on the wing and fire a cross toward Vanessa Honorio Carneiro but Justyne Caruana clutched the aerial delivery to relieve pressure.
Half-Time Score: Lija Athletic 0 – 0 San Gwann
San Gwann Earn Double Cushion
Both coaches attempted to tug the result in their favour by tweaking their teams at the break. Julian Camilleri brought on Katrin Abela in replacement of Thresa Scicluna. Meanwhile, Katryna Grech was given the nod in replacement of Elisa Xuereb on the wing by Jethron Azzopardi.
It was San Gwann who took charge of the half early on once more, with Andjela Kricak forcing a save from Christiana Pisani. The Yellows attempted to get purchase with a counter-attack following a free-kick from Lija Athletic, involving several players to get to the final third. However, Chaimaa Tourki’s effort from the edge of the penalty box skimmed wide.
Lija Athletic responded with a quick transition shortly after. Leanne Micallef released Katryna Grech, but she was swiftly met by Justyne Caruana who swept well. The goalkeeper was on top of things again a few seconds later as Micallef attempted to thread a through ball for Vanessa Honorio Carneiro to finish.
However, San Gwann were the most dominant in possession and finally made it pay in the 55th minute. Andjela Kricak got the better of her marker on the byline, before placing a cut-back to Chaimaa Tourki who fired across into the bottom left corner to break the deadlock.
Lija Athletic attempted a response as Leanne Micallef spread it wide to Simone Buttigieg. However, her attempted cross was well intercepted by Fatma Al Girbi to deny Vanessa Honorio Carneiro a shot on goal.
Instead San Gwann doubled their lead through Andjela Kricak in the 67th minute. She fired from distance to find the back of the net, despite the goalkeeper getting hands on the ball. Julian Camilleri followed the goal by resting Shania Gheiti and bringing on Thais Muscat who slotted in midfield, while Andjela Kricak pushed up. Lija Athletic’s Leanne Micallef was also replaced by Edera Marmara’.
Lija Manage To Get Goal Back
Andjela Kricak was still searching for more, tiptoeing a way around two markers before firing the shot, only to be denied by Christiana Pisani. Fatma Al Girbi also attempted to find the top right corner from distance but was just off target.
However, Lija Athletic started mounting real pressure in the final quarter of an hour. Ylenia Azzopardi cut inside to deliver a cross into Vanessa Honorio Carneiro, but the Brazilian’s effort flew wide of the mark. Jethron Azzopardi freshened things up shortly after bringing on Daniela Camilleri instead of Rachel Mifsud.
The team managed to earn a goal from a long-range free-kick. Shakira Bugeja fired from well out to net a goal back for her team, although the goalkeeper got a hand on it. With their two-goal cushion cut in half, Julian Camilleri brought on Kristina Zammit and Yasmin Attard in the final ten minutes, in replacement of Nilayza Attard and Cristina Hili. Zammit slotted in the right side of the defensive trio, with Katrin Abela moving onto the wing. Attard occupied the striker’s position.
Lija Athletic’s Shakira Bugeja attempted to back up the strike with more long range efforts as the free-kicks piled for her team. Edera Marmara’ fired a shot on the turn from the edge of the box, but Justyne Caruana gathered well. A final attempt from a free-kick was also well marshalled by San Gwann to ensure the three points.
Final Score: Lija Athletic 1 – 2 San Gwann
Standings & Next Matches
San Gwann double their cushion to six points over Lija Athletic with the win. The Assikura Women’s League will be on hiatus for the upcoming weekend due to the international break.
San Gwann will return against the group leaders Valletta on Friday 1st March at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30). Meanwhile, Lija Athletic will seek to return to winning ways against Mtarfa whom they meet on Thursday 29th of February at the Centenary Stadium (20:15).
Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
