by Valletta clinched a 2-0 win against San Gwann to end their league commitments with a nine-match unbeaten streak in the final phase. Ylenia Grech got City going in the opening half, before Anna Aloisio doubled the lead early in the second to ensure the victory. Miriana Conti was denied by the crossbar late on.
Team Selections
Justyne Caruana started between the goalposts for San Gwann, protected by a back-three consisting of Kristina Zammit, Nicole Camenzuli and Kirstie Vella. Captain Annabelle Rapa started in midfield alongside Fatma Al Girbi, while Rabab Mhalli and Cristina Hili continued to occupy the wing-back positions. Andjela Kricak returned to the starting eleven, in support of Reham Mhalli and Shania Gheiti.
Andressa de Souza Ramos continued her stay in goal. Sabrin Blihi was flanked by Georgiana Mifsud and Eduarda Martins Souza in defence. Miriana Conti and Michela Bonello Ghio started on the wings, while Monique Sultana and Francesca Bartolo occupied the centre of the park. Ylenia Grech started in the number ten position, while Anna Aloisio and Laura Muscat partnered each other in attack.
How It Unfolded
The team in white settled into the early spell of possession but could not make initial corner kick opportunities pay to break the deadlock, with San Gwann’s defence keen on staying level. The Yellows almost created their own demise with a short back-pass, which Valletta attempted to pounce on, but San Gwann’s defence managed to clear away the danger.
Valletta developed a real opportunity with a splitting counter-attack in the 13th minute. Laura Muscat was released with a neat ball onto the right wing. She crossed toward Anna Aloisio who supported in the box, but the right-footed effort was well saved by Justyne Caruana. Nicole Camenzuli cleared the resulting corner to safety.
At the other end, San Gwann attempted to create something going forward, but to no real attacking threat to Andressa de Souza Ramos’ goal. Instead, Valletta nudged themselves into the lead in the 19th minute through Ylenia Grech. She placed a shot from the edge of the box which crept into the bottom left corner of the goal.
San Gwann responded through Andjela Kricak attempting to release Reham Mellah and Shania Gheiti on separate occasions. However, Sabrin Blihi was well positioned on both times to read play and send her team back on the attack. Despite this, Valletta struggled to create major opportunities, with Laura Muscat coming the closest with two attempts from the box which flew off-target.
Half-Time Score: San Gwann 0 – 1 Valletta
City restarted the action with an intent on improving their lead and gained the comfort of a two goal cushion in the 52nd minute. Laura Muscat and Anna Aloisio continued their effective link-up play, with the former releasing her captain with a well-weighted through ball. Aloisio struck low into the far corner to double Valletta’s lead.
Julian Camilleri responded with an offensive swap, bringing on Nilayza Attard in replacement of Reham Mellah. The Yellows appeared set for a quick break-through, with Attard involved immediately before Andjela Kricak attempted to release Rabab Mhalli into space on the flank. However, play was pulled back for offside to the disappointment of San Gwann’s contingent.
Valletta continued surging forward with the better opportunities. Francesca Bartolo attempted to nestle a few into the net but could not quite find the money-shot to increase Valletta’s tally. Laura Muscat had a glorious opportunity to make it three following the hour mark, but pulled a low shot wide of the mark. Valletta’s number eight was almost teed up by Francesca Bartolo ten minutes later, but saw her outside-footed effort just creep on the wrong side of the net.
Valletta kept searching for more. Michela Bonello Ghio also found Anna Aloisio with a cut-back but the skipper’s right-footed volley from the edge of the penalty box flew over the bar. Bonello Ghio attempted her own luck from the left wing shortly after but Justyne Caruana was always the favourite from the tight angle.
On the other hand, San Gwann had sporadic surges with Andejla Kricak keen on looping in Shania Gheiti, but any pressure was relieved as the striker was deemed to have fouled her marker in the process.
Both coaches made switches as the final quarter of an hour rolled in. Jean Lopes made a change in defence with Sabrin Blihi giving way to Lisa Vella, while Francesca Bartolo parted ways with Sara Bonello Ghio. The latter occupied the right flank, while Miriana Conti shifted into the centre of the pitch. San Gwann’s Annabelle Rapa gave way to Martina Schembri, with Andjela Kricak assuming the captain’s role in the process.
San Gwann’s Schembri was keen to get involved, making a forward run which Cristina Hili attempted to pick out. However, Georgiana Mifsud was well positioned to read the pass. Valletta surged forward to create another major opportunity as Anna Aloisio was picked out by Laura Muscat once more, but pulled the effort wide of the mark. The two reversed roles shortly after, with Muscat trying to convert a cross from Aloisio, but seeing her headed effort fly straight into the hands of Justyne Caruana.
Shania Gheiti was still willing to give chase for San Gwann, before attempting to release Nilayza Attard, but this time it was Lisa Vella who shut the door. Ylenia Grech was next to give way to Alicia Mifsud for Valletta, with Mifsud slotting on the left flank, pushing Michela Bonello Ghio into midfield. Lilly Pearl Gatehouse and Kate Muscat came onto the pitch for the final minutes in attack, in direct swaps with Anna Aloisio and Laura Muscat.
Eduarda Martins Souza was one of the few players still lively in the pitch, willing to make forward bursts with the ball. However, it was Miriana Conti who came closest with a dinked effort from outside the penalty area which landed right on top of the crossbar to deny her from keeping up her goalscoring tally. San Gwann responded with one last effort to get Nilayza Attard released behind, but Lisa Vella timed the tackle to send the ball safely into touch. The final whistle blew to the jubilation of the team in red and white who end their commitments on a high.
Final Score: San Gwann 0 – 2 Valletta
Standings
Valletta complete a perfect points tally in the final phase, winning all nine matches to finish their league commitments top of the Bottom Four group on 45 points, while having completely shut out all the opponents within the group throughout the season.
San Gwann’s defeat means that they could be equaled on points later tonight by Lija Athletic, depending on their outcome against Mtarfa. San Gwann end their league commitments with 22 points.
Valletta and San Gwann will meet again in the Assikura Women’s Knockout quarter-final on the 13th April at Mgarr Ground (KO 16:30).
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