Valletta Bounce Back With Win Over Lija Athletic

Two second half goals gave Valletta a second victory over Lija Athletic. Anna Aloisio opened the scoring following the break, before substitute Megan La Rosa opened her account with the senior team late on.

Team Selection

Andressa De Souza Ramos started in goal for Valletta, protected by a three-player defence in Lisa Vella, Sabrin Blihi and Michela Bonello Ghio. Monique Sultana partnered Eduarda Martins Souza in midfield, while Georgiana Mifsud and Laura Muscat acted as the wing-backs. Francesca Bartolo created behind the striker partnership of captain Anna Aloisio and Suzanne Farrugia Sacco.

Christiana Pisani protected Lija Athletic’s goal. Samira Bouzid partnered Sarah Caruana in the centre of the defence, while Mariah Schembri and Rachel Mifsud protected the flanks. Amy Galea Gingell protected the defence. In front of her, captain Simone Buttigieg was in the company of Leanne Micallef, while Elisa Xuereb and Edera Marmara’ operated on the widths. Katryna Grech was the sole striker.

A Few Chances But Lacking End-Product

Valletta enjoyed the majority of possession in midfield, but Lija Athletic were primed to get Katryna Grech on the run at the first possible opportunity. Monique Sultana was first to test Christiana Pisani with a looped shot, however the goalkeeper was untroubled. Lija Athletic managed to get forward through Simone Buttigieg who capitalised on loose defending. However, Katryna Grech could not make the ball stick for the shot.

Valletta responded through a quick transition of their own, with Suzanne Farrugia Sacco releasing Francesca Bartolo making the run behind on the right wing. She crossed into the box but just ahead of the arriving Anna Aloisio.

Valletta continued growing into the half, with Suzanne Farrugia Sacco trying to play a combination with Anna Aloisio, but Christiana Pisani was quickly off her line to snuff out the attack. Georgiana Mifsud latched onto a cross from Francesca Bartolo shortly after, but the finish was at an easy height for Christiana Pisani to collect.

Leanne Micallef attempted to get her team ahead by curling a free-kick toward the top-right corner, but it was met by Andressa de Souza Ramos. Meanwhile, Simone Buttigieg was urging her team forward. Mariah Schembri released Elisa Xuereb who won her duel with her marker before cutting inside for the shot which ended wide.

Half-Time Score: Valletta 0 – 0 Lija Athletic

Valletta Find Winning Goals

Having had the majority of possession, City made it pay early on the restart. Georgiana Mifsud won a free-kick on the right wing, which they converted for the opening goal. Francesca Bartolo struck from distance, forcing a save from Christiana Pisani, which Anna Aloisio rebounded into the net in the 48th minute.

Jethron Azzopardi responded with two substitutions, bringing on Daniela Camilleri and Vanessa Honorio Carneiro in replacement of Elisa Xuereb and Katryna Grech.

Valletta appeared to be onto a second when Suzanne Farrugia Sacco released Anna Aloisio with an intelligent ground pass. However, Christiana Pisani reacted well to the strike. Lija Athletic appeared to be turning the cogs with Vanessa Honorio Carneiro holding the ball well from a goal-kick, before spreading it wide to Edera Marmara’. However, her shot from wide sailed above the crossbar.

Denis Guerra switched things up after the hour mark, bringing on Ylenia Grech, instead of Laura Muscat and Megan La Rosa in replacement of Anna Aloisio. Sarah Vella Barberi also made a return after a spell on the sidelines through injury, in replacement of Suzanne Farrugia Sacco. La Rosa and Vella Barberi provided the width to Francesca Bartolo in attack.

The substitutes were immediately involved. Vella Barberi linked well with Georgiana Mifsud, before crossing toward Francesca Bartolo. However, Lija Athletic’s defence were quick to clear before Amy Galea Gingell surged forward with the ball.

Jethron Azzopardi continued motivating the team in search of the equaliser. One of the best opportunities was created with just under fifteen minutes to go. Daniela Camilleri crossed toward Leanne Micallef, but her low shot was saved by Andressa de Souza Ramos.

At the other end, Valletta were searching to get their forwards on the run against Lija Athletic’s high defensive line, but were overcooking the passes. The end-to-end action increased with Lija chasing the game and Valletta attempting to capitalise.

Valletta’s Lisa Vella played a ball into Sarah Vella Barberi who crossed to Ylenia Grech in search of a second late on, but her shot was blocked, before Lija surged forward. Rachel Mifsud launched long for Simone Buttigieg who made a run behind the defence. However, she was met by the goalkeeper, with the two needing treatment following the collision.

Having threatened to get their strikers free behind the defence for the second goal for so long, Valletta finally made it pay in the closing stages. Francesca Bartolo won the ball high up the pitch and sent a perfectly weighted ball for Megan La Rosa to chase. The youngster had a cool head to carry it forward before placing low into the right corner of the net for her first senior goal and Valletta’s second of the evening.

Final Score: Valletta 2 – 0 Lija Athletic

Standings & Next Matches

The victory takes Valletta’s tally to fifteen points in fifth. They will next eye another opportunity to dock points from the top-four as they face Swieqi United on Saturday 16th at Dingli Ground (16:30).

Meanwhile, Lija Athletic stay in seventh place on four points. They will meet Mgarr United who sit in fourth. The two will kick-off proceedings for the final weekend before the Christmas break at the Centenary Stadium on Thursday 14th (20:15).

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