Swieqi United Maintain Momentum With Win Over Hibernians

Swieqi United made sure of the three points with a 6-2 victory over Hibernians, to retain second place and keep the pressure on in the title race. Salamatu Abdulai got the Owls going and went on to grab a hat-trick on the night. Shona Zammit, Mariah Sciberras and Dorianne Theuma completed the scoring. Alexis Espitia and Sarah Urpani reduced the margin for Hibernians.

Team Selections

There were no changes at the back for Swieqi United, with Patricia Araujo protected by the four-piece defence composed of Jade Schembri, Tammy Falzon, Rafanny Abache Mendoza and Thea Ida Scicluna. Shona Zammit and Michaela Cachia continued their stay in midfield, while captain Dorianne Theuma returned to the first-eleven. Mariah Sciberras was another returnee, starting on the right wing, while Jade Flask started on the left. Salamatu Abdulai was the central attacker.

Meanwhile, Maya Muscat continued her stay in goal for Hibernians. Amy Busuttil returned to the first-eleven alongside Natalee Geren, while Chloe Ellul and Kiley Norkus continued to provide the width in defence. Sarah Urpani partnered Kayleigh Chetcuti in midfield, with captain Martina Borg returning also to the starting eleven. Alexis Espitia and Yolande Attard provided the width, while Leah Ayres spearheaded the attack.

An Open Half

Although Hibernians had the early opportunity from a corner, it was Swieqi United who broke the deadlock just in the third minute. Salamatu Abdulai was released by a ball over the top from Dorianne Theuma, with the Ghanaian heading it over the rushing goalkeeper, to find the back of the net.

Shona Zammit made a bold surge up the centre channel, dribbling past two markers to get within sight of the goal in the tenth minute. However, Hibernians’ defence recovered in time as Swieqi United’s number fourteen thought about pulling the trigger.

Instead Alexis Espitia drew level on the quarter-hour mark, by firing a boot to convert Martina Borg’s delivery from a free-kick, right on the edge of the box on the right wing. Hibernians attempted to work an opporutnity on the left wing to release Yolande Attard into space shortly after, but Rafanny Abache Mendoza shuffled well to cover the threat.

As the game stood in the balance, it was Swieqi United who nudged themselves back into the lead once more in the 25th minute. This time, Shona Zammit found Michaela Cachia further afield, before the youngster released Salamatu Abdulai. She placed into the bottom right corner of the goal for her own, and Swieqi United’s, second of the night. The Ghanaian attempted to make it into a hat-trick four minutes later after being well picked out by Mariah Sciberras from a corner. However, she got underneath the header which flew over the bar.

Having thought about it twice before, Shona Zammit earned Swieqi United the comfort of a two-goal cushion on the half-hour mark. She pounced on a loose ball in the Hibernians’ defence, before firing a boot to find the left side of the goal from the edge of the penalty box.

The two teams continued to build well, although Swieqi United enjoyed the majority of possession as the half wore on. Thea Ida Scicluna was showing good work ethic to intercept play and scurry up the wing to support Jade Flask in attack. Likewise, Jade Schembri was keen to burst forward ij support of Mariah Sciberras. Schembri launched a cross toward Jade Flask, but her header was well held by Maya Muscat, who had her near post covered.

At the other end, Martina Borg hit the crossbar with a looped ball from the right wing, which Patricia Araujo back-tracked well to get a palm on, before collecting. The Paolites attempted to respond but the final ball eluded them, with Patricia Araujo ready to command the box, while Swieqi United’s defence was keen to marshal threats away. Successive corners ensued for Hibernians, but Swieqi United’s Tammy Falzon and Jade Flask cleared away from danger to maintain the lead.

Half-Time Score: Swieqi United 3 – 1 Hibernians

Quick Restart At Either Ends

The game resumed to more action as Salamatu Abdulai fired in the fourth for the team and in doing so completed her hattrick just a minute into the second half. The Ghanaian was released once more by her skipper, although she had plenty to do to power past the defence, before firing a right boot across into the left side of the net.

However, Hibernians were quick in their response, reducing Swieqi United’s margin back to two a minute later. Alexis Espitia cut back to Sarah Urpani who did not miss from close range to put her team back into the mix.

Despite this, Swieqi United responded quickly just five minutes later, through Mariah Sciberras. Jade Flask won the tussle against her marker on the left wing, before picking out Sciberras’ late run into the box, with the latter placing into the bottom right corner to put Swieqi United 5 – 2 up.

Hibernians still had plenty of fight as Alexis Espitia responded with another cut-back from the byline to find Leah Ayres, but she got underneath the strike under pressure. The Paolites’ Martina Borg then attempted to make the most of a well-placed free-kick. However, the wall did its job to deny the Hibernians’ skipper.

Salamatu Abdulai was still searching for more, managing to power past Natalee Geren to get herself into space in the box. However, Hibernians’ number two recovered well to deny the chance.

There was still plenty of fight in Hibernians at the other end. Alexis Espitia attempted to create another chance by sticking out a boot to release Yolande Attard who cut inside into the penalty box. However, Patricia Araujo was quickly off her line to snuff out the attack.

Swieqi United completed the scoring on the hour mark after Jade Flask was brought down in the box, earning her team a penalty. Dorianne Theuma stepped up and placed it into the bottom right corner to cap off the victory on the night.

Kenneth Costantino made his first changes in the 65th minute, bringing on Amber Galea and Nyorah Celeste in direct swaps with Amy Busuttil and Leah Ayres. The Paolites’ Alexis Espitia was close to getting a goal back for Hibernians in the 70th minute, but skied the effort.

More changes ensure in the final fifteen minutes. Alexis Espitia swapped with Shana Farrugia for Hibernians, before Yolande Attard was replaced by Federica Zahra. She slotted in midfield while Sarah Urpani shifted into the left-wing position.

Ema Micallef replaced Michaela Cachia for Swieqi United, before Ana Jessica Araujo Rodrigues also made her debut in the 81st minute, in replacement of Rafanny Abache Mendoza. The Brazilian slotted in the central striker position, while Shona Zammit retreated into the centre-back partnership alongside Tammy Falzon.

Swieqi United developed another good opportunity as Dorianne Theuma hung a ball from a free-kick on the left wing toward the far post. Jade Flask rose well to get her head first to the ball, but found the side-netting from the tight angle. At the other end, Kiley Norkus made a forward surge for her team before being halted by Dorianne Theuma just before entering the final third.

Swieqi United’s skipper gave way in the final minutes, with Maria Vella coming on in her stead. Vella occupied the right wing position, pushing Mariah Sciberras into the centre of the park for the final throes of the match. Swieqi United continued to enjoy the majority of possession, although both sides were still eager to go forward in search of finding more goals. However, neither could add to their tally.

Final Score: Swieqi United 6 – 2 Hibernians

Standings & Next Matches

Swieqi United open a five point lead over Hibernians to earn breathing room in second place, while keeping the pressure on Birkirkara to maintain the five point advantage at the top. The Stripes and Mgarr United will meet tonight at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30), as the battle at the top continues to unfold in the final matches of the season.

Swieqi United and Birkirkara will meet for the final time in the league on Thursday 14th at the Centenary Stadium (20:15), which will be both teams’ penultimate match of the league this season.

The result between Swieqi United and Hibernians also puts Birkirkara, and thus first place, mathematically out of reach for Hibernians. However, the Paolites will seek to extend their points margin against Mgarr United on Saturday 16th at Mgarr Ground (16:30).

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