Mġarr United could not have asked for a better start to their 2020-21 women’s league after defeating Mosta 8-1 in their opening game and then had the better of Raiders Għargħur 3-0, in last week’s fixture.
Led by experienced coach Patrick Curmi, the Greens will be looking to stage another title challenge alongside defending champions Birkirkara and Swieqi United.
Despite failing to clinch any major silverware in recent seasons, Mġarr have been one of the most exciting teams to watch with their offensive mentality and the talent they boast in their squad.
In fact, Curmi can rely on an experienced group of players including captain Brenda Borg, who scored four goals so far and is joint-top scorer of the club with forward Francesca Chircop, and midfielder Amber Grech who grabbed a brace against Mosta.
Adding further experience to this group of talented players will be Antoinette Sammut, who after being away from the game for the past years, has returned to Mġarr’s ranks this season.
Bar one appearance in 2018, Sammut, 27, last played in the 2014-15 season.
A former Malta international, she collected 32 caps with the Reds, having made her debut against Georgia on March 3, 2011. Sammut also scored one goal for the national team.
“Once I returned playing football, Mġarr was always going to my destination as it is my hometown,” Sammut told the Times of Malta.
“I had decided to step away from football due to work, as I used to have a full-time job while juggling it with my accounts studies.
“This made it difficult for me to keep playing football and therefore I decided to prioritise my work and studies. Nonetheless, I still kept in touch with the Mġarr clan as they kept pushing me to make a comeback and in fact, I still continued to keep myself in shape by doing individual training.”
Asked about the quality of the team she found on her return, Sammut was impressed and believes that Mġarr have a lot to offer this season.
“The quality of the players inside this team is very high and I am sure that this will be a crucial factor for our progress this season,” she explained.
“There is a difference from this team to the last team I played with, around five years ago.
“I believe that this group of players can give a hard time even to Birkirkara and Swieqi United and challenge for major silverware as well.”
In today’s match, Mġarr will face Mtarfa who will be playing their third game of the season, still searching for their first points after defeats to Kirkop United and Mosta.
Under the guidance of coach Shawn Meilak, Mtarfa are the latest team to join the senior league after already featuring in the U15’s and U-19’s.
Skipper Lorna Cassar, formerly of Hibernians, has scored the club’s first ever league goal in their 6-1 loss to Kirkop in their opening game.
After a serving a bye last week, Birkirkara will return to action when they face Raiders Għargħur in their second commitment of the season, at the Mġarr Ground, on Wednesday.
Raiders, on their part, opened their season with a 3-0 defeat against Mġarr, last week.
The Stripes opened their title defence with a 2-0 win over Swieqi United, with goals from skipper Stephania Farrugia and midfielder Tracy Teuma.
Making her debut for Birkirkara was Christabel Oppong, the Canada international who joined the team prior to their league opener.
Meanwhile, Birkirkara will be involved in Thursday’s UEFA Women’s Champions League draws where they will discover their qualifying round one
opponents.
Swieqi will be facing Mosta in the other clash today, at the Dingli Ground. The Oranges thumped Kirkop United 4-0 to bounce back from their 2-0 loss against Birkirkara.
Malta international Emma Xuereb was on an inspiring form with a brace and Swieqi will be relying on her alongside other players including skipper Dorianne Theuma for another positive result.
Meanwhile, the Blues earned their first win of the season after defeating Mtarfa 4-0.
PROGRAMME
PLAYING TODAY
DINGLI GROUND
Swieqi United vs Mosta 8.30pm
MĠARR GROUND
Birkirkara vs Raiders 8.30pm
TOMORROW
DINGLI GROUND
Mġarr United vs Mtarfa 8.30pm
