Swieqi, Mġarr and Hibernians remain level at top of Women’s League

Swieqi United, Mġarr United and Hibernians remain locked on nine points at the top of the Women’s League standings following victories in the latest round of matches.

Swieqi defeated Birkirkara 3-0, Mġarr registered an emphatic 6-0 victory over San Ġwann, while Hibernians came from behind to overcome Valletta 3-2 in the most entertaining encounter of the weekend.

Swieqi maintained their strong start to the campaign with a comfortable victory over Birkirkara, courtesy of goals from Shona Zammit, Sara Saliba and Andjela Kricak.

Zammit broke the deadlock in the 44th minute to give the Owls a narrow advantage at the interval.

Swieqi doubled their lead in the 64th minute through Saliba before Kricak struck just two minutes later to put the result beyond doubt.

The victory kept Swieqi at the top of the standings, while Birkirkara remain on three points from four matches.

Meanwhile, Mġarr United produced another impressive attacking display as they overwhelmed San Ġwann 6-0.

Sylvia Kabene gave Mġarr the perfect start, opening the scoring after just four minutes before doubling her tally in the 21st minute.

Yulya Carella then took centre stage, completing a hat-trick with goals in the 31st, 52nd and 56th minutes.

Substitute Chaina Maizeroi completed the scoring in the 59th minute as Mġarr maintained their challenge at the top.

The defeat left San Ġwann rooted to the bottom of the standings without a point after four matches.

The most dramatic encounter saw Hibernians produce a late comeback to defeat Valletta 3-2.

Amy Catania put the Paolites ahead on the stroke of half-time, but Valletta responded strongly after the interval.

Salamatu Abdulai equalised in the 53rd minute before Sonia Bumbar struck ten minutes later to give Valletta a 2-1 advantage.

However, Hibernians refused to surrender and drew level through Jessica Emmerton in the 75th minute.

Just two minutes later, Ivana Trbojevic completed the comeback with the winning goal, securing three valuable points for the Paolites.

The result kept Hibernians level with Swieqi and Mġarr on nine points, while Valletta remain fourth on six.

Results

Swieqi United 3–0 Birkirkara

Scorers: Shona Zammit 44′, Sara Saliba 64′, Andjela Kricak 66′.

Swieqi United: P. Araujo; V. Rapa, E. Micallef, J. Flask, S. Saliba, J. Burke, S. Zammit, K. Blessing, A. Kricak, N. Sciberras, M. Conti. Subs used: E. Csik, S. Urpani, Y. Attard, I. Farrugia, K. Fava.

Birkirkara: L. Damont; G. Zahra, L. May Azzopardi, S. Bugeja, Y. Grech, M. Cardona, S. Mallia, Y. Ghenam, H. Sekura, M. Ueda, V. Marquez. Subs used: R. Zerafa, J. Micallef Cassar, I. Sultana.

San Ġwann 0–6 Mġarr United

Scorers: Sylvia Kabene 4′, 21′, Yulya Carella 31′, 52′, 56′, Chaina Maizeroi 59′.

San Ġwann: H. Ibrahim; A. Portelli, J. Galea, R. Ejalonibu, C. Mihalic, E. Borg, M. Kasim, F. Al Girbi, J. Ibitayo, O. Taylor, N. Addo. Subs used: A. Abela Spiteri, G. Mari Muscat, M. Mallia, Y. Deidun, K. Almari.

Mġarr United: G. D’Antuono; A. Said, A. Camilleri, M. Debono, Y. Carella, E. Presley, S. Kabene, L. Cefai, V. Villegas, Y. Mendez, A. Grech. Subs used: V. Mifsud, B. Julius, C. Maizeroi, G. Antonelli, E. Xuereb.

Hibernians 3–2 Valletta

Scorers: Amy Catania 45′, Jessica Emmerton 75′, Ivana Trbojevic 77′ (H); Salamatu Abdulai 53′, Sonia Bumbar 63′ (V).

Hibernians: M. Cachia; L. Sanchez, J. Dimech, K. Chetcuti, N. Celeste, A. Ghio, J. Emmerton, E. Koneva, A. Catania, I. Trbojevic, S. Papp. Subs used: O. Nazarko.

Valletta: J. Zarb; E. Lipman, M. Lucia, E. Cini, S. Bumbar, S. Abdulai, K. Axiak, R. Fite, G. Mifsud, J. Schembri, B. Borg. Subs used: F. Bartolo, M. Gianfico, Y. Carabott.

Standings

Gerald Fenech

Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist