Swieqi and Mgarr Blunt Each Other’s Attacks In Goalless Stalemate

Swieqi United and Mgarr United had to settle for a point each after ending their encounter in a goalless draw that saw both defences triumph on the day. Mgarr United came closest through Fernanda Peinado who struck the post. The draw ensures that Mgarr United go into the break still unbeaten but unable to extend their lead at the top of the table. Swieqi United miss the opportunity to close the gap to Hibernians though having a game in hand.

Line-Ups

Swieqi United’s Paty started in goal, protected by a back-four. Tammy Falzon started the match alongside Rafanny Abache Mendoza, while Gabrielle Tonna and Jade Schembri sat on the left and right flanks respectively. Jessica Dimech was moved in midfield to protect the defence. Shona Zammit led the team out and was partnered by Mariah Sciberras who returned to the first eleven. The front trio were Kaysia Micallef, Salamatu Abdulai and Kennedy Metzger.

Mgarr United’s Michael Mangion stuck with the line-up that triumphed over Lija Athletic last week. Patricia Ebejer remained in goal and the back-four of Rebecca Bajada, Anastasia Sivolobova, Chantelle Grech and Abigail Camilleri consolidated their presence. The latter continued to captain the side in the absence of Maia Debono. Brenda Borg continued to partner Luana Vitoria Cabral in midfield, while Joelma Alves Gabriel supported Fernanda Peinado in attack. Rodiana Borg and Yulya Carella provided the width in attack.

Injury Woes For Swieqi & Mgarr United Hit The Post

There were no doubts of the stakes of the match as the stands steadily filled with spectators. The referee’s whistle gave way to a tense opening with both sides fighting to strike first.

Swieqi United were unable to test from a corner, while Mgarr United’s attempt to cause trouble from a free-kick were seen off by the Swieqi United defence. Jessica Dimech appeared to have released Salamatu Abdulai free on goal eight minutes in, but play was pulled back for offside.

Mgarr United created one of their best chances of the match close to the quarter hour mark as Luana Vitoria Cabral drifted wide and crossed toward Rodiana Borg who was making the run toward the far post. However, the ball skidded just ahead of her, taking the opportunity of a shot away. Cabral needed some treatment shortly after appearing to take a hit into her shoulder. Although she continued the match, the Brazilian appeared to be uncomfortable throughout the match.

Meanwhile, Swieqi United appeared to land themselves into the trouble as Paty was played a short back-pass that saw Joelma Alves Gabriel set off on the chase. However, Jade Schembri recovered well to clear for a corner. At the other end, the Owls’ Jessica Dimech teased a ball toward Rafanny Abache Mendoza from a free-kick but the defender could not generate enough power to trouble the goalkeeper.

Saviour Darmanin was forced into his first early substitution shortly after through injury to Kennedy Metzger. She was replaced by Ema Micallef, with the youngster slotting in midfield and Mariah Sciberras moving into the left wing position, while Kaysia Micallef had shifted to the right.

Almost chances kept piling and Brenda Borg tested Paty’s reflexes by attempting to curl a corner kick into the net. However, the Brazilian was up to the task and parried away. Mgarr United appeared to have hit their stride as they started working the wider channels. Half an hour into the match Joelma Alves Gabriel and Yulya Carella played a neat combination but Rafanny Abache Mendoza recovered well to pass back to her goalkeeper. Jeers sounded from the stands and Mgarr United’s bench as the goalkeeper handled a back-pass to no notice from the officials.

The Greens’ Fernanda Peinado came closest to opening the scoring thirty-six minutes in, after she hit the post with a searching ball from the left wing.

Meanwhile, Swieqi United’s injury woes continued as the team was forced into another substitution in the 40th minute with Kaysia Micallef having to come off after she was unable to shake off an injury developed earlier in the match. Kim Fava took to the pitch in her stead four minutes from half-time.

Better Opportunities But Goalless

The two teams emerged into the second half with renewed fervour for the opening goal. Salamatu Abdulai almost capitalised from a mix-up in Mgarr United’s back line six minutes in, but the strike lacked the necessary curl to trouble the goalkeeper. The forward had a number of similar opportunities but struggled to hit the required finishing accuracy to trouble Patricia Ebejer.

At the other end, Mgarr United’s Brenda Borg and Yulya Carella tried to fashion something, before being forced back to Rebecca Bajada. Her attempt to dink a ball for Fernanda Peinado to chase was a good idea but it lacked the necessary weighting.

Saviour Darmanin made his third substitution close to an hour of play, as Swieqi United’s captain Dorianne Theuma made her first appearance of the season from the bench. She replaced Gabrielle Tonna and slotted alongside Shona Zammit. The change led to Jessica Dimech shifting to the left-back position, while Ema Micallef became the holding midfielder. The veteran took charge of a set-piece delivery into the box a few minutes after taking to the pitch, but Mgarr United’s defence stood tall to clear the ball.

The game opened up as both teams tried to go for the win and attempted to exploit any space. Tensions continued to bubble with a number of players getting entangled both physically and figuratively in the heat of the moment. A few were becoming more vocal in pushing their teammates on, in particular Shona Zammit and Chantelle Grech, while those in the stands tried to also spur their teams on. In midfield, Brenda Borg and Luana Vitoria Cabral were never too far away from Shona Zammit and Dorianne Theuma, with both sets of midfielders aware of the cruciality of their counterparts to the attack creation of the respective teams.

Mgarr United made their only change in the 77th minute, bringing on Daniela Said Ebejer in replacement of Rodiana Borg. The Greens won a free-kick a few minutes later which saw Brenda Borg deliver toward Chantelle Grech, but Rafanny Abache Mendoza rose to make a crucial interception.

Continuing the end to end action, Shona Zammit recovered the ball in midfield but her attempt to release Salamatu Abdulai was read by Anastasia Sivolobova. At the other end, Brenda Borg showed crafty footwork to get past two markers out wide, before crossing toward Joelma Alves Gabriel. However, the Brazilian was unable to direct the header goalward.

A few minutes later, Borg was allowed the space to deliver deep into the box from midfield, but Rafanny Abache Mendoza intercepted the ball once more and cleared for a corner. Although Abigail Camilleri put the delivery into a good area, Paty collected the pieces.

The Greens had one final opportunity to secure a late victory as they transitioned quickly from defense into attack in the dying moments, through the combination of substitute Daniela Said Ebejer, Fernanda Peinado and Brenda Borg. However, the chance ebbed away as the final ball to get Said Ebejer free on goal was pulled back for offside.

Full-Time Score: Swieqi United 0 – 0 Mgarr United

International Break & Next Matches

Despite surely desiring the three points, it is likely that both sides prefer settling for the draw to the third alternative. In doing so, Mgarr United retain top spot with fourteen points, one ahead of Hibernians who sit in second. However, third-placed Birkirkara have two games in hand and winning even one of those would see them rise to the top of the table. Swieqi United sit in fourth with with ten points in five matches.

The Assikura Women’s League will return in November following the international window, which will mark a return of the UEFA Women’s Nations League. The Greens’ next match will be a direct encounter with the Stripes on the 4th November, in a match that will dictate matters at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Swieqi United will return on the same day against Lija Athletic.

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