by Swieqi United bumped themselves into second place with a 4 – 0 win against San Gwann. Jade Flask netted a brace, with front duo Salamatu Abdulai and Sara Saliba completing the scoring. San Gwann were denied by the post.
Team Selections
Goalkeeper Patricia Araujo captained Swieqi United on the day, behind a young defence consisting of Tammy Falzon, Eva Koneva and Valentina Rapa. Jade Flask and Jade Schembri operated as wing-backs, with the midfield held by Sarah Urpani, Michaela Cachia and Andjela Kricak. Salamatu Abdulai partnered Sara Saliba in attack.
Meanwhile, Justyne Caruana returned in San Gwann’s goal, fronted by Kirstie Vella, debutant Maria Otalvarez Rubio and Mariama Kasim. Kirsty Paris and captain Annabelle Rapa operated out wide. Rhea Borg anchored the midfield, with another debutant Rocio Figueredo trusted in the centre of the park alongside the returning Martina Schembri. Morena Fanega continued to pull strings with Rodianne Zerafa leading the attack.
How It Unfolded
The tardiness of the first match, courtesy of the missing corner flags, tampered with the beginning of the match. Officials attempted to start the match on the scheduled time, but found adversity given it’s impact on the ability of the two teams to complete their warm-up.
Once the kick-off resumed with a compromise seeming to be reached, Swieqi United initiated with an early opportunity to put the ball into the box. However, Jade Flask was unable to caress the volley into the net.
The Owls continued to miss early opportunities with Salamatu Abdulai setting the tone in harrowing San Gwann’s defence on the press, but was off-target with the finish.
End to end action ensued as San Gwann earned a corner kick following Morena Fanega’s first effort in working Patricia Araujo. However, they found Swieqi ready to defend with a well-oiled counter-attack set in a deft motion involving a skilful flick from Sara Saliba to set Salamatu Abdulai on her way. However, Kirstie Vella was well positioned to settle for a corner at the other end.
The Owls’ corner count racked up to no avail, with San Gwann seeming to do enough to frustrate. However, Swieqi United’s work in pressing high ultimately paid off. Salamatu Abdulai harried the indecision at the back, with the Ghanaian doing enough to cause some miscommunication leading to a loose ball. Jade Flask was rewarded for the forward intent, with the wing-back well-placed to glide in to curl it into a gaping net from just outside the box in the 28th minute.
Swieqi United attempted to capitalise on the momentum and punish further imminently with the defence continuing to calmly set about beginning play while the team also pushed high up in search of extracting further mistakes.
However, Justyne Caruana gobbled up a shot from Sarah Urpani, giving her team the chance to regain some composure. Sara Saliba smacked another opportunity straight down the goalkeeper’s throat moments later, with the pressure from Salamatu Abdulai working to good effect once more.
Despite this, the Owls made it two inside the 33rd minute. Mariama Kasim landed in the book for a clip on Sara Saliba just outside the penalty box. San Gwann paid the full price, with Sarah Urpani delivering toward Salamatu Abdulai who tapped it home at the near post.
Rhea Borg asked a hopeful question of Patricia Araujo at the other end moments later, but Swieqi United went into the break with a lead intact and little to worry them in defence despite sporadic attacks from San Gwann.
Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 2 – 0 San Gwann
Changes ensued at the break as Shannen Mallia replaced Eva Koneva for Swieqi United, with the side alternating to a back-four.
Swieqi United had the best of restarts converting twice inside the opening five minutes. Sara Saliba tapped home the third following further good work from Salamatu Abdulai to drive into the box and force the save from Justyne Caruana.
Jade Flask converted her second on the evening and the fourth of the night for Swieqi from close range. The number eight rebounded Shannen Mallia’s initially saved effort, with Salamatu Abdulai again involved in the creation.
San Gwann’s evening continued to torment with Rodianne Zerafa well placed to capitalise on a rare misplaced pass from Patricia Araujo. The veteran attempted the immediate strike in search of making the most of the opportunity, only to see it smack the upright.
Changes ensued from both benches as Dorianne Theuma and Julian Camilleri rotated minutes into their squads. San Gwann’s Martina Schembri gave way to Fatma Al Girbi in midfield, while Sabrin Blihi replaced Kirsty Paris, triggering a rotation at the back for San Gwann. Meanwhile, Swieqi United’s Thea Ida Scicluna and Ema Micallef swapped with Jade Schembri and Sarah Urpani.
The match lost intensity as the substitutes continued to disrupt the opportunity to instil any rhythm, with Miriana Conti replacing Jade Flask on the wing for Swieqi United shortly after, and Martina Vassallo appearing instead of Kirstie Vella for San Gwann. Kim Fava also made a late appearance instead of Andjela Kricak for Swieqi United.
San Gwann had the major share of possession as the match grew, with Swieqi United appearing to be happy to welcome the side in their own half and put their defence to the test, knowing they still had the counter-attacking threat.
However, the side in blue failed to make in-roads with free-kick opportunities from midfield, though showing promise linkage between Morena Fanega and the debuting Rocio Figueredo. Still, Valentina Rapa and Tammy Falzon were alert to shut off any opportunities.
San Gwann continued to show positive play with Morena Fanega linking with Annabelle Rapa who offered the supporting run on the wing. However, Patricia Araujo was alert to the cross, determined to keep her clean sheet.
At the other end, Swieqi United showed some late interest with a positive drive from Michaela Cachia who split open the midfield, dribbling straight through before feeding Miriana Conti wide. However, the finish from distance was off the mark.
Final Score: Swieqi United 4 – 0 San Gwann
Standings & Next Matches
Swieqi United hop into second place, following Hibernians’ draw against Birkirkara. The Owls will have their eyes on the Stripes who in doing so claimed their first point against the top three this year, with Swieqi United up next in their sight. They will face each other on Thursday at the Centenary Stadium (KO 20:15).
San Gwann will look to build on positive signs in their match against the league leaders, Mgarr United, whom they face on Saturday at the Dingli Ground (KO 18:00).
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Maraya Gauci
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