by Swieqi United secured a 1 – 0 victory courtesy of a late penalty scored by Rafanny Mendoza Abache to take themselves top of the table. The Owls enjoyed the majority of possession, but the Paolites will feel hard-done by the most crucial official decision, while aware that inconsistent decisions played a hand in various events on the day.
Team Selections
Patricia Araujo started in goal for Swieqi United, protected by the trusted defence consisting of Jade Schembri, Tammy Falzon, Rafanny Mendoza Abache and Emma Xuereb. Michaela Cachia protected the defence, while captain Shona Zammit and Sarah Urpani operated in midfield. Ema Micallef started in the number ten position, behind the attacking duo of Karima Abdulai and Salamatu Abdulai.
Elizabeth Harrington continued her stay in goal for Hibernians, protected by another unchanged defence consisting of Natalee Geren, Jessica Dimech and Georgiana Mifsud. Nicole Sciberras and Kayleigh Chetcuti continued their partnership in midfield, while Ileana Farrugia and Sarah Vella Barberi occupied the wings. Captain Martina Borg orchestrated behind Alexis Espitia and Leah Ayres.
How It Unfolded
The referee’s whistle kicked off proceedings with windy conditions that persisted throughout the match. The weight of the points were evident in a midfield battle that persisted, with both teams keen on avoiding mistakes, but struggling to also make headway themselves.
Hibernians’ Sarah Vella Barberi was the first to try to head a cross from Alexis Espitia on goal but was wide of the mark. At the other end, Swieqi United were struggling to get past the Hibernians’ defence, with Sarah Urpani firing a couple of attempts but not finding the target.
However, the Swieqi United number seven worked Elizabeth Harrington with a follow-up from a corner that the Owls recycled well, before the Paolites’ goalkeeper was called into action again to make the stop from a deeply delivered free-kick.
Neither side could work cheaply earned corners to their advantage, while creativity in attacks continued to lack at both ends, with the defenders coming out on top. Georgiana Mifsud was keeping a close eye on Karima Abdulai, with the defender making two good interceptions against crosses. At the other end Tammy Falzon was keen on stopping any attempt from Alexis Espitia to run behind. The American was let in once with a heavy touch, but quickly marshalled by the defender before forced to fire a shot from a tight angle that Patricia Aruajo was happy to collect.
The Owls grew more into the game, looking to more likely to build something in the final third, but still struggling to make Elizabeth Harrington sweat. Hibernians’ struggled to break through. Kayleigh Chetcuti and Nicole Sciberras were hard at work breaking up play, while looking to support the attacks, but neither side managed to find an opener in the first half.
Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 0 – 0 Hibernians
Swieqi United’s Dorianne Theuma made one change at the break, bringing on Jade Flask instead of Ema Micallef. Salamatu Abdulai dropped into the number ten position, while Flask partnered Karima Abdulai in attack.
Both sides had an early snatch at something. Karima Abdulai won possession high up the pitch, but had her pass to release compatriot Salamatu Abdulai read by Jessica Dimech. At the other end, Rafanny Mendoza Abache made a crucial interception on a low cross to deny Martina Borg a tap in.
Neither side managed to make headway through set-pieces, while half-chances from open play continued to be successfully thwarted. A deep cross from Jade Schembri found Shona Zammit at the far post, but Elizabeth Harrington was not too troubled to make the stop. At the other end, Nicole Sciberras struck from the edge of the box only to see it rise just above the bar, before Rafanny Mendoza Abache made another last ditch tackle against a run of three players.
Elbows were out from both sides, with the two fighting tooth and nail for the ball and the individual battles continuing to shape up as the clock ran down. As things ramped up, the officials appeared to struggle to keep up with the pace of the match. The trend was set with the referee blowing for every scream on the ball, but failing to check on players on the deck (of both sides) in between stoppages, with seemingly also no assistance from his team of officials.
Tensions boiled over for Swieqi United as Karima Abdulai was booked in an incident with Kayleigh Chetcuti, but there was no reciprocative action for an offender on Abdulai minutes later. Swieqi coach Dorianne Theuma was fuming on the touchline, with referee Danilo Francalanza dishing out two back-to-back yellows to the coach.
Things continued to escalate with multiple penalty appeals from Swieqi for a handsball in the box following a free-kick, but there was no decision made by the officials, with assistant Stefania Bonnici appearing to also not support with the call.
The Owls pursued, holding the majority of possession, but facing a disciplined Hibernians team who appeared set to hold pressure and counter with precision. Natalee Geren made a crucial interception to deny an attempt to breach the lines, before Jade Flask and Shona Zammit combined on the wing but finding Elizabeth Harrington read to collect the cross.
Hibernians’ Nicole Sciberras and Leah Ayres won the ball high up the pitch, but found Michaela Cachia ready to shut the door, with the young defensive midfielder unassuming, but precise, in her work throughout the match.
Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino was weighing his options and decided to refresh his side, bringing on Chloe Ellul at right wing-back. Leah Ayres made way, with Sarah Vella Barberi thrusted forward. Joelma Alves Gabriel made an appearance for the final ten minutes of the match, with captain Martina Borg making way and handing the skipper’s armband to Nicole Sciberras.
Into the hands of Keith Gouder’s leadership, Swieqi United were still holding the majority of possession, with the veteran coach using his experience to push the team toward their goal. On the pitch, Emma Xuereb was among the most vocal in instilling a sense of purpose in the side’s drive, with the onus on them to get the points in the match.
Karima Abdulai was hard at work, chasing down every ball and looking to link up play. The Owls managed to get a cross toward Jade Flask, but it had too much power for the forward to redirect toward goal.
However, with Hibernians appearing to be heading toward a successful clean sheet, Jade Flask delivered a diagonal ball for Salamatu to chase into the box. Appearing to have slipped on the ball, the groans from the Swieqi United stands at the missed opportunity transformed into shock and hopeful anticipation, as Elizabeth Harrington’s approach to the scene prompted the officials to award a penalty.
In a setting of terse emotion, Rafanny Mendoza Abache had ice in her veins to slot the ball with pace and precision into the bottom left corner, handing Swieqi United a late lead with four minutes on the clock.
Hibernians responded with a throw of the dice to get themselves back on level terms despite little time on the clock. However, Swieqi United saw off the pressure from a long ball up the pitch that Patricia Araujo commanded in the air, before Rafanny Mendoza Abache towered in the box to head away a late free-kick delivery.
Final Score: Swieqi United 1 – 0 Hibernians
Standing & Next Matches
Things continue to unravel in the standings, with Swieqi United taking themselves to first place on 38 points, just one ahead of Hibernians who remain on 37. Mgarr United raised their tally to 35 points following a 3-2 victory against Birkirkara, who remain on 32.
Swieqi United will next face Mgarr United on Friday 7th February at the Charles Abela Stadium at 20:30. Hibernians will have a shorter turnaround to get themselves back into the points in a battle against Birkirkara. The two meet at the Centenary Stadium on Thursday 6th at 20:15.
Lead Image: Elise Bajada
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