by Swieqi United settled themselves into third place at the end of the first round, with a 1 – 0 victory against Mgarr United. Salamatu Abdulai scored the only goal of the match in the second-half, with the Owls successfully managing the latter stages to see out the victory.
Team Selection
Patricia Araujo returned in goal for Swieqi United, while Emma Xuereb and Tammy Falzon also made a start in defence, alongside Rafanny Mendoza Abache and Jade Schembri. Michaela Cachia started in front of the defence, with Sarah Urpani and captain Shona Zammit continuing to operate further forward, while Salamatu Abdulai completed the diamond further forward. Jade Flask continued in attack, with Karima Abdulai starting alongside her.
Meanwhile, Patricia Ebejer retained her place in goal behind a four-piece defence consisting of Yanina Mendez, Abigail Camilleri, Leanne Cefai and Rebecca Bajada. Maia Debono continued to operate behind behind Brenda Borg and Veronique Mifsud. Yulya Carella and Amber Grech supported Valeria Villegas Caly in attack.
How It Unfolded
The two teams set about their business under the hot afternoon sun with tensions clearly signifying the three points at stake at the early stages of the match. Adorned in striped kits, Swieqi United had a first go at it early on as Salamatu Abdulai captured possession in midfield, releasing it to Jade Flask. The forward struck a left boot at it but hit the side netting.
Neither side really managed to get their foot in control, with the teams embroiled in a midfield battle and squeezing the space out of the match with their defensive lines. Both sides looked for free-kick opportunities, with both sets of players getting into the face of the officials.
Mgarr United earned three chances in the first quarter of an hour. Veronique Mifsud had the opportunity to take a shot on goal but could not keep the effort down, while Swieqi United’s Jade Flask and Sarah Urpani both cleared other opportunities.
Neither side managed work themselves into the lead with corners either, but both were keen to exploit the counter-attacks. Mgarr United’s Veronique Mifsud worked a combination with Amber Grech in midfield, before the number ten looked to pick out Yulya Carella’s run behind. However, Jade Schembri was alert to the danger, before sending her side back on the hunt.
On their part, Swieqi United where also keen to get the counter-attack going to maximise the pace up front. However, Patricia Ebejer was quick off her line to deal with Karima Abdulai and Salamatu Abdulai on both occasions.
Mgarr United attempted to catch Patricia Araujo out from distance, with Brenda Borg and Amber Grech both trying their luck from outside the box. The latter managed to work the Brazilian goalkeeper on one occasion but Araujo was well placed to make the stop.
The Greens’ Veronique Mifsud injected some real excitement into the match after the half hour mark, skipping past two markers to surge into space in the box. She fizzed a shot into the near post which Patricia Araujo saved for another corner, which was also dealt with by the Owls.
Amber Grech fashioned another opportunity shortly after, winning the tussle in midfield before releasing Valeria Villegas Caly. However, Rafanny Mendoza Abache swooped in to win the ball, with the Venezuelan showing her experience to often win that battle throughout the match.
Swieqi United’s Jade Flask gave her side a chance by pressing a block on Patricia Ebejer’s clearance in the latter stages, with the forward landing herself into some bother with the tackle. However, the effort handed possession to Salamatu Abdulai high up the pitch. She attempted to release Karima Abdulai with a header, but Patricia Ebejer put enough pressure on the Ghanaian who was forced off the pitch, relieving pressure.
Jade Flask was also picked out in the box shortly after, heading goal-ward, but not managing to generate enough power against Patricia Ebejer who was well positioned to collect.
Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 0 – 0 Mgarr United
Neither coaches dared tamper with the balance of the match at half-time. Mgarr United earned the early chances of the second half. Brenda Borg delivered a low cut-back to Yulya Carella, who struck a first-time effort from the edge of the box, but was wide with the finish.
Key battles continued to heat up, with Tammy Falzon and Rafanny Mendoza Abache both making their presence known against Valeria Villegas Caly and Amber Grech. Shona Zammit was the first to go in the book with a tactical foul to stop Brenda Borg from going in on goal. However, the Greens could not capitalise on the set-pieces.
Jade Flask was forced off the pitch in the 56th minute, with the initial knock appearing unrelenting. She was replaced by Ema Micallef, who slotted in the number ten position, while Salamatu Abdulai pushed forward in attack.
The match continued to be fought with limited chances from open play. However, Salamatu Abdulai managed to force just enough confusion in Mgarr United’s defensive line to capitalise on a mistake that sent her forward on the charge against Patricia Ebejer. The Ghanaian converted the chance with a cool low finish into the net, giving Swieqi United something to protect for the final twenty minutes.
Mgarr United’s Ryan Vella reacted by bringing on Rodiana Borg in replacement of Amber Grech. The Greens’ claims for a penalty due to a handball in the box were waived away in the 74th minute. Still, the side managed to created an opportunity later on, utilising Yulya Carella’s pace out wide. She delivered to Brenda Borg, who controlled well, but was off-target with the finish from the periphery of the box.
Having initially pushed the side for a second-goal, Swieqi United’s bench contained plenty of activity, with the win in sight. Clearly directing a changed approach to game management mode in search of protecting the slim lead until the end, the side managed to break off any attempt by the Greens to get into any forward rhythm, seeing out the win.
Final Score: Swieqi United 1 – 0 Mgarr United
Next Matches
Swieqi United take themselves into third place with fifteen points, while Mgarr United remain on twelve. The Owls will take momentum into the next round, where they start by facing the league leaders, Hibernians, with the latter ensuring their place with an 8 – 0 victory over Lija Athletic later in the afternoon. Swieqi United and Hibernians will meet on Friday 18th October at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, starting at 20:30.
Mgarr United will look to get themselves back into the points against Mtarfa, whom they will meet at Dingli Ground on Saturday (19th) at 17:30.
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