by The Yellows head into the break with a 6-0 victory over Mtarfa, taking their tally to ten points. Shania Gheiti got things going with a brace. Rabab Mhalli chipped in with two more, while Andjela Kricak and Chaimaa Tourki completed the scoring.
Team Selections
Maria Abdilla continued her stay in goal for Mtarfa. The Blues started with a back four with Darya Attard and Shania Spiteri in its centre, while Kerrie Ciappara and Corinne Deguara provided the width. Captain Eliza Csik protected the defence. Oumayma Jelili partnered Slavina Aleksandrova Peneva in front of Csik, while Rasvita Sluckute and Elisa Azzopardi occupied the widths. Hamida Saleh led the line.
Justyne Caruana started between the sticks for San Gwann, protected by the trio of captain Annabelle Rapa, Sarah Cioffi and Tracy Axiak. Fatma Al Girbi and Martina Schembri occupied the centre of the field, while Rabab Mhalli and Kirstie Vella operated as the wing-backs. Andjela Kricak stood in the number ten role, while Chaima Tourki supported Shania Gheiti in attack.
Comfortable Opening For San Gwann
The Yellows earned themselves a corner three minutes into the match which they appeared to work with a creative routine. However, an overcooked cross led to an Mtarfa goalkick. Despite this, the Blues were kicking themselves after poor play from the back allowed Shania Gheiti to pounce and she made no mistake, finishing low into the net to break the deadlock within the 4th minute.
The goal allowed San Gwann to settle on the ball and they were doing well to create spaces and work the ball from back to front. Mtarfa’s Shania Spiteri made two important tackles to deny the space for Andjela Kricak and Chaimaa Tourki to shoot before surging forward with the ball. However, she attempted one too many dribbles which ultimately resulted in the ball running out of play on the wing.
San Gwann responded with a counter-attack of their own but Rabab Mhalli’s attempt to release compatriot Chaimaa Tourki was overhit, allowing Mtarfa to recover momentarily.
Despite this, the Blues created more problems in their inability to deal with Shania Gheiti’s press, who stole the ball from the defence, before chipping the goalkeeper for the second in the 12th minute.
Simon Spiteri opted for a change to three at the back at this point, with Darya Attard flanked by Corinne Deguara and Kerrie Ciappara. Shania Spiteri moved into midfield alongside Eliza Csik. The captain was the next player to breeze past San Gwann’s midfield before trying to release Hamida Saleh on goal. However, the striker could not control the ball in time, allowing San Gwann to recover.
San Gwann kept piling forward with Rabab Mhalli denied by combination of Maria Abdilla’s fingertips and the crossbar, in the 23rd minute, following a shot from just inside the penalty box.
However, the Moroccan could not be thwarted for too long and found the net just before the half-hour mark for San Gwann’s third goal. Andjela Kricak initially caused all sorts of problems in trying to find a space for the shot just outside the box, before releasing into Chaimaa Tourki. Although her shot was blocked, she quickly recovered possession and laid it for her compatriot to strike first time into the left corner of the net.
Mtarfa’s Shania Spiteri responded with another forward surge in midfield, before spreading it wide to Elisa Azzopardi. However, her attempted cross ran behind. The two combined again five minutes from half-time, which led to Shania Spiteri to strike from distance for Mtarfa’s first shot of the evening. However, her attempt to place into the top right corner flew off-target.
Meanwhile, San Gwann had further momentum going forward with Andjela Kricak attempting a long-distance strike after noticing Mtarfa’s goalkeeper off her line, but was wide of the mark. The Serbian also almost teed up Chaimaa Tourki with a cross, but the latter’s header flew wide. Shania Gheiti was also on the chase but stopped by a combination of Darya Attard and Maria Abdilla.
Half-Time Score: Mtarfa 0 – 3 San Gwann
San Gwann Double The Score
There were no changes at the break from either team and the Yellows also came out with the same attacking mentality. Shania Gheiti almost teed up Andjela Kricak with a low cross but the Serbian’s follow-through caught Slavina Aleksandrova Peneva, causing the referee to stop play.
Despite this, the Serbian managed to get herself on the scoresheet five minutes into the half. Chaimaa Tourki displayed excellent vision and execution to find Andjela Kricak’s run behind with the outside of her boot, which Kricak dinked over the goalkeeper for San Gwann’s fourth. The Serbian attempted to flick home Rabab Mhalli’s corner delivery just a couple of minutes later, but Maria Abdilla watched it all the way.
Julian Camilleri made a change at the back, bringing on Thresa Scicluna who slotted as the full-back while Kirstie Vella moved into the centre-back trio, in replacement of Tracy Axiak.
Chaimaa Tourki found the fifth on the hour mark after winning the ball from Mtarfa’s defence, before dribbling inside and placing low into the gaping net. She then pick-pocketed Mtarfa’s midfield again a minute later to set up the sixth. Tourki picked out Rabab Mhalli’s run behind, who finished the cross into the near post with a first-time strike.
The two sides made changes following the goal. Mtarfa’s Simon Spiteri introduced Estelle Borg and Leonie Muscat, in direct replacement to Hamida Saleh and Elisa Azzopardi. Meanwhile, Julian Camilleri gave Martina Schembri and Shania Gheiti an early rest, with Chanice Grixti and Kya Veronique Mamo taking to the pitch instead.
The Blues attempted to create something on the counter following a defensive header from Darya Attard. Estelle Borg combined with Shania Spiteri who tried to release Slavina Alexandrova Peneva on the right wing. However, Annabelle Rapa had tracked back to recover possession.
Mtarfa’s Estelle Borg managed to win a free-kick in midfield later on which Darya Attard delivered toward the number eleven. She managed to get a shot away but was wide of the mark. At the other end, San Gwann continued their stream of attacks, including a complicated short free-kick routine which Eliza Csik was alert to and quick to clear.
Julian Camilleri gave Yana Scicluna and Yasmin Spiteri the final fifteen minutes of the match in replacement of Fatma Al Girbi and Sarah Cioffi. Meanwhile, Simon Spiteri was forced to withdraw Oumayma Jelili through injury, who was replaced by Katya Camilleri.
The Blues kept up the attempt to get something back with Slavina Aleksandrova Peneva crossing toward Rasvita Sluckute. However, her shot was blocked by Kirstie Vella. Shania Spiteri created a major opportunity ten minutes from time with another individual surge from the defensive third, dribbling all the way to a one against one with the goalkeeper. However, she was let down by her finish which flew wide of the mark. Simon Spiteri introduced Amy Mizzi in replacement of Maria Abdilla in goal for the final few minutes of the match.
Final Score: Mtarfa 0 – 6 San Gwann
Standings & Next Matches
The victory means that San Gwann finish the year into double figures in sixth place. The Yellows will return on the 6th January against Hibernians, whom they will meet at Mgarr Ground (14:00).
Meanwhile, Mtarfa will face Birkirkara this Tuesday 19th December for their final outing of the year. The match will be played at the Centenary Stadium (20:15), following the top of the table clash of the Assikura Women’s Youth League between Swieqi United and Valletta (18:00).
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