by Swieqi United emerged victorious by 3-1 over Hibernians. Shona Zammit broke the deadlock, which was extended by Salamatu Abdulai and Karima Abdulai in the second half. Martina Borg grabbed Hibernians’ goal from the penalty spot in the final stages.
Team Selections
There were plenty of changes from Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino. Sharon Costantino made a return in goal, protected by a three-player defence. Leah Ayres dropped into the right side of the trio, alongside Natalee Geren and Amy Busuttil. Chloe Ellul and Kiley Norkus acted as wing-backs, while captain Martina Borg dropped in front of the defence. Kayleigh Chetcuti continued her stay in midfield, with Sarah Urpani and Yolande Attard the most offensive of the centre-midfield. Alexis Espitia led the line.
There were no changes in goal for Swieqi United, with Patricia Araujo retaining her place behind the trusted four-piece defence of Jade Schembri, Tammy Falzon, Rafanny Abache Mendoza and Jessica Dimech. Shona Zammit wore the skipper’s armband, while captain Dorianne Theuma instructed from the technical area. Zammit was supported by Michaela Cachia and Salamatu Abdulai in midfield. Karima Abdulai and Kaysia Micallef started in the wide forward roles, while Jade Flask led the attack.
Swieqi Break Deadlock Despite Hibs’ Momentum
Swieqi United developed an early opportunity with Salamatu Abdulai’s run into the box well picked, but the Ghanaian could not find the target with a low effort across the goal. However, it was Hibernians who grew the strongest in the early stages, stringing passes together and applying good pressure at the top. Sarah Urpani was released with a quick transition, but Patricia Araujo collected the cross. The Paolites had an early opportunity to put the ball into the box but Kayleigh Chetcuti’s delivery was also clutched by the goalkeeper.
Swieqi United responded with a good run of play as Salamatu Abdulai attempted to release Jade Flask. However, the striker was forced backward. Michaela Cachia and Kaysia Micallef combined to keep the attack alive, before Shona Zammit pulled the trigger from distance. However, Sharon Costantino was alert to the danger.
Hibernians responded with an attack of their own, as Kiley Norkus cut-back to Sarah Urpani who struck. However, Tammy Falzon was well positioned to make the block. Yolande Attard attempted to convert the loose ball, but Patricia Araujo was untroubled by the flick. Martina Borg was next to try one from distance but the Brazilian goalkeeper was equal to it once more. Hibernians created another good opportunity from a dead-ball situation, which Natalee Geren delivered toward Alexis Espitia. However, the American headed just wide.
Swieqi United appeared to have struck gold in the 26th minute as Jessica Dimech delivered a free-kick from the left wing towards Rafanny Abache Mendoza who struck the crossbar. Salamatu Abdulai rebounded the second header but was just wide.
Despite this, the attack jolted momentum in their favour and the Owls may the pressure pay in the 29th minute, following a corner. Shona Zammit delivered into Jade Flask who headed at the far post. Although the initial attempt was cleared, Shona Zammit arrived into the scene to wrap a left foot and curl one into the bottom left corner of the goal, sending her team into the lead.
Hibernians attempted an immediate response through link-up between Sarah Urpani and Alexis Espitia. However, the American’s run was matched by Tammy Falzon, allowing Patricia Araujo to collect. The Paolites could not trouble from a free-kick delivery, while their defence stood strong to deny Swieqi United from extending their tally through corner kicks.
Half-Time Score: Hibernians 0 – 1 Swieqi United
Swieqi Extend Lead
There was one change at the break for Swieqi United, with Kaysia Micallef giving way to Mariah Sciberras after having taken a knock in the opening half. The Owls got their second goal just three minutes into the half. Salamatu Abdulai intercepted a loose pass and placed low into the net, despite Sharon Costantino getting fingertips on it.
The Paolites’ captain Martina Borg urged the team out from their shell, which prompted a positive response from the side in getting up the pitch. However, they could not find the net through shots fired by Sarah Urpani and Yolande Attard.
Meanwhile, Swieqi United were keen to exploit the open spaces and pressure mistakes in their favour. Mariah Sciberras showed good work ethic to win the ball up the pitch, before pinging a ball to Karima Abdulai who was completely unmarked in the box. However, the Ghanaian fired at a comfortable height into Sharon Costantino who closed the angle. Jessica Dimech made an inspired dart infield past three markers, before letting fly, but saw her effort veer away from the right corner of the goal.
Key battles continued to develop as Alexis Espitia continued to drive toward Rafanny Abache Mendoza and Tammy Falzon. Hibernians’ forward put enough pressure to win the one-on-one battle against Falzon and latch onto an aerial delivery. Having little support she fired immediately in the hope of catching goalkeeper Patricia Araujo out of position, but saw her strike drop away from the target.
Despite this, the chance instilled more forward momentum and the Paolites almost capitalised on complacency from the Owls, in the 65th minute. Alexis Espitia pounced on loose play to win the ball in the box, but was forced to turn her back to goal. It momentarily allowed the Owls to recover, while Shona Zammit urged concentration from the side.
Dorianne Theuma took to the pitch instead of Michaela Cachia in the 66th minute, with Mandy Debono appearing to take the reins in the technical area. The veteran immediately got into the thick of things against Kayleigh Chetcuti who left her mark and landed in the book shortly after.
Kenneth Costantino made a double switch in the 71st minute, bringing on the young duo of Nyorah Celeste and Amber Galea. Celeste directly replaced Chloe Ellul on the wing, while Galea slotted in front of the defence instead of Sarah Urpani, pushing Martina Borg into the more attacking creative position.
Swieqi Wrap Victory, Borg Claims Hibs Goal From Spot
The Owls developed another good opportunity as Salamatu Abdulai was released by Mariah Sciberras. The Ghanaian picked out Jade Flask with her cross, who saw her effort fly wide.
Although the scoreline had the Owls in a rather comfortable position, there was no love lost between the two sides and the tensions continued to boil, resulting in a few more flying tackles from both ends. Kiley Norkus was still attempting to drive the team up the left wing, meeting the duo of Mariah Sciberras and Jade Schembri. Meanwhile, Alexis Espitia landed herself in the book for a lingering foot on Patricia Araujo.
Dorianne Theuma and Natalee Geren were the next to leave their mark onto each other, with Swieqi United earning a free-kick opportunity as a result. Swieqi United’s number six attempted to find the near corner of the goal but struck wide.
Hibernians’ Amber Galea made a positive burst up the pitch but her attempt to link up with Nyorah Celeste was read by Jessica Dimech. The Paolites also earned themselves a corner which was headed away by Rafanny Abache Mendoza. Leah Ayres kept the attack alive, but Kiley Norkus’ effort was deflected just wide for another corner. Martina Borg delivered towards Amber Galea, but Swieqi United managed the clearance once more. Galea fired one from distance but could not find the target.
At the other end, Swieqi United looked to finish on a high as Dorianne Theuma delivered a corner toward Jade Flask, who positioned at the far post, was denied by the woodwork.
Ema Micallef took to the pitch in the 88th minute, replacing Jade Schembri. Micallef slotted in midfield, pushing Mariah Sciberras in the right-back role, while Jade Flask occupied the right forward wing and Salamatu Abdulai became the centre striker.
The Owls kept up the drive for more into injury time. Shona Zammit launched a ball for the Ghanaian to chase but Sharon Costantino was quick off her line to sweep. Despite this, Swieqi’s number fourteen managed to pick out Karima Abdulai in the box with another delivery from midfield seconds later. This time, Abdulai placed low into the far right corner to make it three.
Having worked incredibly hard with little reward, Hibernians’ Alexis Espitia managed to earn her team a penalty in the dying moments of the match. Martina Borg fired into the right side of the net to deny Swieqi United’s clean sheet just before the full-time whistle.
Final Score: Hibernians 1 – 3 Swieqi United
Standings & Next Matches
Swieqi United take themselves into forty points with the victory, neatly placing themselves exactly in the five points away from leaders Birkirkara and by the same amount from Hibernians who remain in third on 35 points.
Swieqi United will hope to carry the momentum into the next match where they face leaders Birkirkara, with the opportunity to cut the gap to first place to two points. They meet on Thursday 15th February at the Centenary Stadium, with the match starting at 20:15.
Lead Image: Michael Azzopardi (Swieqi United FC)
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