Valletta Secure Another Solid Victory Over Lija Athletic

Valletta secured a confident 3-0 victory over Lija Athletic to continue extending their lead in the bottom section of the table. Early goals by Anna Aloisio and Sarah Vella Barberi gave them a strong lead at the break. Megan La Rosa came off the bench to complete the victory late in the match.

Team Selections

Andressa de Souza Ramos continued safeguarding Valletta’s goal, protected by the trio of Lisa Vella, Sabrin Blihi and Georgiana Mifsud. Eduarda Martins Souza returned to action in midfield alongside Monique Sultana and Laura Muscat. Francesca Bartolo orchestrated further forward behind the attacking trio. Michela Bonello Ghio and Sarah Vella Barberi provided the width to captain Anna Aloisio in attack.

Meanwhile, Christiana Pisani kept her place in Lija Athletic’s goal, behind an unchanged back line in Mariah Schembri, Sarah Caruana, Nell Zarb Cousin and Katryna Grech. Amy Galea Gingell and Shakira Bugeja protected the defence, while captain Simone Buttigieg occupied the number ten role. Edera Marmara’ and Elisa Xuereb provided the width, while Vanessa Honorio Carneiro was the lone attacker.

Valletta Nudge Into Lead

Valletta were keen to take control of possession early on and immediately set themselves on the front foot. Michela Bonello Ghio cut-back a cross to Francesca Bartolo whose shot was blocked, with a few Valletta players claiming a handsball but the referee waived on. Bonello Ghio dispatched her marker with one touch a few seconds later, but dragged the shot wide.

Depsite this, Valletta’s attacking efforts were rewarded in the 8th minute. Laura Muscat released Anna Aloisio with a perfectly weighted overhead ball. The skipper chipped the onrushing goalkeeper to send her team in front.

The team needed to wait just four minutes to double their lead. Having piled pressure in the box, Laura Muscat miscued a shot into a pass, finding Sarah Vella Barberi. Although Nell Zarb Cousin blocked the initial shot, Vella Barberi made sure to slot the rebound into the right corner of the net.

Lija Athletic responded with a chance just over the quarter hour mark. Simone Buttigieg won the ball in midfield, before spreading it wide to Elisa Xuereb. The winger curled a pass toward Vanessa Honorio Carneiro who tried to lob the rushing Andressa de Souza Ramos, but the goalkeeper got enough on it to deflect it into a throw-in.

Both sides had opportunities to utilise free-kick situations but deliveries were collected by the goalkeeper or easily dealt with by the defence. Francesca Bartolo tried to convert a third goal following a corner-delivery, but her shot was well saved by Christiana Pisani.

Meanwhile, Lija Athletic attempted to make haste with a counter-attack just before the half-hour mark. Amy Galea Gingell cleared a free-kick delivery before Elisa Xuereb dispatched her marker. However, the number twenty-two was reluctant to pull the trigger on the pass to her striker, allowing Georgiana Mifsud to recover position and ultimately intercept the pass.

The officiating inconsistencies that riddled the match between Swieqi United and Hibernians made their way into the second match, despite a swap in the referee and the linesman. Frustrations grew for both sides, with hap-hazard decisions from the officials or a clear reliance on players’ instincts in awarding simple throw-ins or free-kicks, which as expected was a recipe for disaster. The only advantage that was present was that the smaller spectator turnout for the match reduced the heat coming from the stands.

Michela Bonello Ghio was clipped by Sarah Caruana, winning a free-kick that almost led to a third goal in the 38th minute. Laura Muscat took charge of the kick, but saw her curled effort hit the outside of the post.

Half-Time Score: Valletta 2 – 0 Lija Athletic

Lija Miss Opportunity To Get Back In It

The two coaches made changes at the break. Valletta’s Francesca Bartolo was directly replaced by Ylenia Grech. Meanwhile, Lija Athletic’s Amy Galea Gingell was given an early rest by Rachel Mifsud. The latter slotted in the usual right-back role, pushing Katryna further afield in the right-wing role. The change also shifted Edera Marmara’ to a box-to-box role alongside Simone Buttigieg.

Valletta had the first early chance, with Sarah Vella Barberi continuing to be lively with an inside dart, but pulling the low shot just wide of the post. However, it was Lija Athletic who developed the best chance just six minutes into the half. Katryna Grech sped past her defensive marker, before also dribbling the goalkeeper. However, having done the hard work, the number twenty-one lacked the composure to close the angle before trying the shot, which only found the side of the goal despite the gaping net.

Lija Athletic continued their attempt to get their strikers behind the defensive line, often going direct for Honorio Carneiro. However, Andressa de Souza Ramos appeared in control of all the resulting situations, sweeping effectively to deny any shots or chipped efforts.

Meanwhile, Valletta were enjoying the lion’s share of possession, zipping the ball around with calm and precision to create more scoring opportunities. Michela Bonello Ghio crossed a ball into Sarah Vella Barberi whose low shot was saved by Christiana Pisani. Ylenia Grech also connected with a couple of crosses but could not find the finish to put her name on the scoresheet.

Denis Guerra made more changes close to the 65th minute mark. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco and Megan La Rosa freshened up the attack, replacing Michela Bonello Ghio and Sarah Vella Barberi, with La Rosa slotting in the centre thus moving Anna Aloisio out wide. Shortly after, Jethron Azzopardi responded by bringing on Daniela Camilleri instead of Elisa Xuereb. Camilleri slotted in the right flank, while Katryna Grech shifted to the left.

Camilleri showed good instincts to build a direct attack shortly after getting on the pitch. Picked out by Rachel Mifsud who overlapped on the wing, Lija Athletic’s number eight opted to pass to Vanessa Honorio Carneiro. The Brazilian looped in Edera Marmara’ who released Katryna Grech on the wing. However, the final cross was collected by Andressa de Souza Ramos.

Valletta Find The Third

At the other end, an initial shot by Megan La Rosa was blocked, before the rebound from Suzanne Farrugia Sacco was also saved by Christiana Pisani. Jethron Azzopardi responded with another offensive change, bringing on Hailey Micallef on the left wing. Edera Marmara’ gave way, resulting in Vanessa Honorio Carneiro retreating back, while Katryna Grech became the central striker.

Daniela Camilleri showed good strength to ride a challenge from Anna Aloisio, following which she attempted to release Hailey Micallef. However, Andressa de Souza Ramos swept once more. Lija Athletic were then frustrated as Vanessa Honorio Carneiro was awarded a free-kick shortly after, but the team were likely better served with an advantage considering the break through the pacey Katryna Grech was already on.

The confusion among the officials created more frustration following an altercation between Shakira Bugeja and Laura Muscat, with another changing decision continuing the saga started as from the first kick-off of the afternoon.

At the other end, Valletta were creating good opportunities for more. Sabrin Blihi’s attempted another free-kick which skimmed the top of the net. Anna Aloisio was also well picked out at the far post but fired just wide.

However, having knocked on the door, Valletta found their third goal in the 86th minute. Suzanne Farrugia Sacco’s initial shot was blocked by Nell Zarb Cousin, but Megan La Rosa had good instincts in positioning to bury the rebound into the net for the third.

Both teams made final swaps following the goal. Anna Aloisio was replaced by Alicia Mifsud who slotted in attack. Meanwhile, Lija Athletic’s Julia Zarb made her senior debut in goal, replacing Christiana Pisani.

Final Score: Valletta 3 – 0 Lija Athletic

Standings & Next Matches

Valletta continue to extend the lead at the top of this section of the league table, amassing a total of 21 points so far. The side will next face bottom of the table team Mtarfa at Dingli Ground next Saturday 27th with a 14:00 kick-off. Lija Athletic are unable to close the gap to San Gwann in sixth place whom they will face next week just after the match between Valletta & Mtarfa (KO 16:30).

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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