Valletta Hit Five Past Lija To Make It Five In Succession

Valletta defeated Lija Athletic by 5-1 to make it five wins in a row and hit the thirty-point mark. Anna Aloisio’s initial strike was levelled by Vanessa Honorio Carneiro. However, Valletta sealed a strong opening half with strikes by Sarah Vella Barberi, Ylenia Grech and another from Anna Aloisio. Megan La Rosa came off the bench to complete the scoring, while Lisa Vella was denied by the post.

Team Selections

Lija Athletic’s Christiana Pisani continued her stay in goal, behind the defensive duo of Sarah Caruana and Nell Zarb Cousin. Daniela Camilleri returned to the starting eleven as a full-back together with Shakira Bugeja. Rachel Mifsud continued her stay in front of the defence alongside Ylenia Azzopardi. Captain Simone Buttigieg started in the attacking midfield position, flanked by Elisa Xuereb and Leanne Micallef. Vanessa Honorio Carneiro was the lone striker.

At the other end, Andressa de Souza Ramos continued her stay in goal for Valletta. A three player defence of Georgiana Mifsud, Sabrin Blihi and Lisa Vella was set up by City. Michela Bonello Ghio and Sarah Vella Barberi were employed as wing-backs. Monique Sultana and Eduarda Martins Souza started in the centre of the pitch, with Ylenia Grech orchestrating further forward. Captain Anna Aloisio started in attack alongside Laura Muscat.

A Goal Apiece

Valletta took control of possession from the off, with Lija Athletic penned back and looking to strike on the counter. City managed to break the deadlock in the 9th minute, thanks to a powerful strike from captain Anna Aloisio. The skipper was found at the edge of the box by Laura Muscat, with Valletta’s Aloisio firing a right boot to find the top right corner of the net, sending the Valletta faithful on their feet.

However, Lija Athletic managed to start turning the cogs shortly after. Leanne Micallef switched to Elisa Xuereb, who opened the space for the cross. However, Sabrin Blihi intercepted it to halt the attack. Lija’s Xuereb managed another cross shortly after but was not on the same wavelength with Vanessa Honorio Carneiro, who was looking for the cut-back instead.

Valletta sprang to attack toward the other end, with Ylenia Grech looking to thread a pass for Laura Muscat behind the box. However, Christiana Pisani was first to the ball. Shortly after it was Monique Sultana who side-footed a shot that just skimmed the wrong side of the cross bar.

Lija Athletic evened the score in the 18th minute, through Vanessa Honorio Carneiro. The Brazilian won a free-kick just inside her own half, which Shakira Bugeja delivered behind Valletta’s defence. Honorio Carneiro arrived ahead of the rushing Andressa de Souza Ramos and flicked the delivery low into the net to delight of her support.

Valletta Regain Driving Seat

Having seen their lead cancelled, Valletta increased their incision once more. However, they had to wait some while before they could regain the advantage. Sarah Vella Barberi nudged Valletta back in front in the 36th minute, rebounding a placed shot into the far right corner, following an initial save by Christiana Pisani.

Lija Athletic appeared set to make an immediate come-back as Elisa Xuereb attempted to dink a cross for Vanessa Honorio Carneiro. However, the Brazilian was marshalled by Sabrin Blihi.

Quick transitions ensued at both ends, with both sides knowing that the next goal was crucial in swinging the momentum of the match one way or another. It was Valletta who grabbed the moment a minute before the end of the half, through Ylenia Grech. City’s number ten placed a shot into the bottom right corner, after being released by a through ball from captain Anna Aloisio. The skipper made it four into injury time, with a powerful header from Monique Sultana’s delivery into the box.

Half-Time Score: Lija Athletic 1 – 4 Valletta

Lija Unable To Make Inroads, Valletta Finish On A High

The two coaches made changes at the break. Jethron Azzopardi made a double switch, bringing on Mariah Schembri in a direct swap with Daniela Camilleri at left-back, while Katryna Grech replaced Leanne Micallef. Valletta’s Jean Lopes brought on Miriana Conti in replacement of Sarah Vella Barberi. Conti sat in the centre of the pitch, pushing Ylenia Grech into the left wing.

Lija Athletic strung together a good attack with fluid one-touch football to get themselves up the pitch. However, Andressa de Souza Ramos was quick off her line to meet Vanessa Honorio Carneiro as the number nine attempted to wriggle free of the defence.

At the other end, Anna Aloisio was denied her hat-trick with another diving save from Christiana Pisani, before Sarah Caruana blocked Ylenia Grech’s effort from the recycled ball. Commotion ensued shortly after as tensions rose with Honorio Carneiro exchanging words with Sabrin Blihi, following which Eduarda Martins Souza also got involved and ultimately landed in the book for misdemeanour.

Ylenia Grech made way to Sara Bonello Ghio on the hour mark, who slotted on the right wing, pushing Michela Bonello Ghio to the left. Megan La Rosa appeared in the 73rd minute, in replacement of Georgiana Mifsud. La Rosa slotted in attack, pushing Anna Aloisio into the defensive trio.

Valletta continued to earn themselves free-kick opportunities but unable to extend their lead, with Lija Athletic keen to get to every ball. Lisa Vella came the closest to adding to the tally in the 81st minute after the defender’s forward run into the box went completely untracked by Lija Athletic. However, Valletta’s number seventeen saw her right-footed effort hit the upright and away from the goal.

Valletta’s Kate Muscat made a late appearance in replacement of Sabrin Blihi. Muscat occupied the left wing, pushing Michela Bonello Ghio centrally, while Eduarda Martins Souza retreated in the centre-of the defence.

Lija Athletic’s best opportunity followed a forward ball from Simone Buttigieg, which Ylenia Azzopardi latched onto. Andressa de Souza Ramos came out to meet her but the shot deflected toward the net. However, Anna Aloisio recovered well to clear from the six-yard box.

It was instead Valletta who managed to clinch their fifth goal, thanks to substitute Megan La Rosa who converted a cut-back from Laura Muscat with a low finish into the far right corner of the net in the 89th minute.

Final Score: Lija Athletic 1 – 5 Valletta

Standings & Next Matches

Valletta hit the thirty point mark and maintain their unbeaten track in the final phase. They will next face bottom-of-the-table Mtarfa on Saturday 17th at Dingli Ground (16:30). Meanwhile, Lija Athletic will face another test against nearest rivals San Gwann in the earlier kick-off that afternoon at the same venue (14:00).

There’s more football to be played in the Assikura Women’s League this weekend. Tonight presents another top-four showdown between Mgarr United and Birkirkara at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. Tomorrow presents a double-header at Dingli Ground, with Hibernians facing Swieqi United at 14:00, followed by the encounter between San Gwann and Mtarfa (16:30).

Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X