Swieqi meet Raiders Lija in women’s league crunch match

Jade Flask’s Swieqi United will be looking to clinch another three important points to stay in touch with leaders Birkirkara in this week’s Assikura Women’s League’s Matchday 14.

The Owls are at the back of a 2-0 victory over Hibernians propelled by a Flask’s brace, who is now the league’s leading scorer with 14 points.

The Malta international has been a key figure for Swieqi, especially since being reinvented as a forward by her coaching staff.

Swieqi are second on 26 points with 50 goals scored in just 11 games. They trail Birkirkara by three points, with the Stripes set to face San Ġwann this week.

Tuesday’s opponents for Swieqi will be Raiders Lija who have recorded 16 points in 11 games this season, so far.

Led by Denis Guerra, Raiders fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of leaders Birkirkara last week.

Summer signing Lexine Farrugia is their current top scorer having scored nine goals.

Meanwhile, Birkirkara have extended their unbeaten run in the domestic league to 80 games following the Raiders’ win.

Argentine forward Brisa Campos, who joined the club in January, scored her fourth goal in two games with Italian midfielder Marta Grosso scoring the other one – her first donning the Birkirkara colours.

In their game against Raiders, Birkirkara’s coach Jose Borg had newcomer French player Clotilde Bergeron available for selection as well.

San Ġwann, Birkirkara’s challengers this week, are in high spirits after halting their negative run and picking up their maiden win of the season – 1-0 vs Mtarfa.

Julia Egging scored the all-important goal for the side that will be now coached by Raymond Sant who takes over from the departed Jean Paul Attard.

Against Mtarfa, San Ġwann handed a debut to goalkeeper Justyne Caruana who joined the club from Raiders Lija on a loan deal in January.

“Having recovered from a long-term injury, I believed that I needed to get more playing time to get back to my best possible shape,” Caruana told the Times of Malta.

“San Ġwann have a well-organised setup which will allow me to focus on my training sessions and games without any added pressure.

I try to gain as much positives as possible from every experience and I am looking forward for this spell with San Ġwann.”

Caruana heaped praise on her team’s efforts to grind out the victory against Mtarfa and is upbeat about improving their performances in the final part of the campaign.

Sant’s side brought in two other players during the month of January in Yasmin Attard and Chanice Grixti.

Elsewhere, Mġarr United will face Mtarfa in the other game of the week.

The Greens, who served a bye last week, are currently fourth with 17 points after 11 games.

With five wins and two draws, Mġarr scored 22 goals and they will be eyeing a victory to lift themselves into third.

On the other hand, Mtarfa are now joint-level with San Ġwann on three points following last week’s defeat.

THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES

TUESDAY

Swieqi United vs Raiders Lija – Mġarr Ground, 20.30

Birkirkara vs San Ġwann – Centenary Stadium, 20.30

WEDNESDAY

Mtarfa vs Mġarr United – Sirens Ground, 20.30

MD14 bye: Hibernians.

Photo: Jeffrick Cachia.