Three points for Hibernians, Mġarr United, Swieqi United
HIBERNIANS 1-0 LIJA ATHLETIC
Alexis Espitia 50.
An Alexis Espitia goal early in the second half handed a lucklastre Hibernians the three points over Lija Athletic.
After their thrilling draw with Mġarr United, Hibernians started as heavy favourites to secure a comfortable win against Jethron Azzopardi’s side.
Nonetheless, Lija Athletic managed to hold their ground with a resilient performance that saw them concede just once through a close-range effort by the Paolites’ American forward.
Hibernians had Jennifer Galea playing between the sticks with experienced goalkeeper Sharon Costantino on the bench as Zeeraya Jivraj is still recovering form her injury.
HIBERNIANS
J. Galea; N. Geren, A. Busuttil, A. Caschetto, C. Ellul, N. Sciberras, K. Chetcuti, S. Urpani, A. Espitia, N. Celeste, L. Ayres.
Substitutes used: Y. Attard 52, F. Zahra 82, D. Magrin 82.
LIJA ATHLETIC
C. Pisani; S. Caruana, V. Carneiro, E. Marmara, S. Buttigieg, M. Schembri, N. Zarb Cousin, R. Mifsud, K. Grech, E. Xuereb, A. Gingell.
Substitutes used: S. Bugeja 65.
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VALLETTA 1-4 MĠARR UNITED
Duda Martins 90 (V); Fernanda Peinado 18, 46; Luana Cabral 22, Joelma 76 (M).
Mġarr United returned to winning ways after cruising to victory over Valletta at their home ground.
Brazilian forward Fernanda Peinado grabbed a brace to make it three goals in two appearances since joining the Greens.
Luana Cabral and Joelma, also Brazilians and also summer signings, put their name on the scoresheet to wrap up the victory.
For this game, coach Michael Mangion handed a club debut to another summer recruit in goalkeeper Giulia D’Antuono.
Meanwhile, club captain Brenda Borg made her first appearance of the season after coming on midway into the second half.
On the other hand, Valletta’s goal was scored by debutant Duda Martins who was making her club debut.
In addition, Denis Guerra’s side had a new face between the sticks for the third straight time with Andressa Mickaelly – who joined during the recent transfer window – featuring for the first time for the Lilywhites.
VALLETTA
A. Mickaelly; G. Mifsud, Marcelle, D. Martins, Y. Grech, S. Vella Barberi, G. Antonelli, S. Blihi, F. Bartolo,
Substitutes used: M. Sultana 62, S. Farrugia Sacco 73.
MĠARR UNITED
G. D’Antuono; L. Cabral, A. Camilleri, M. Debono, F. Peinado, Joelma, Y. Carella, R. Borg, A. Sivolobova, R. Bajada, C. Grech.
Substitutes used: B. Borg 56, A. Schembri 62.
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SAN ĠWANN 0-8 SWIEQI UNITED
Karima Abdulai 14, 40, 46 54; Salamatu Abdulai 15, 79; Mariah Sciberras 20; Kaysia Micallef 57.
Swieqi United broke little sweat to ease past San Ġwann with Ghanaian duo Karima Abdulai and Salamatu Abdulai combining for six goals.
Mariah Sciberras and young midfielder Kaysia Micallef grabbed a goal each to wrap up the large victory.
Saviour Darmanin’s side have now won their opening two matches of the season against Mtarfa and San Ġwann as next week they will face Hibernians in their first big test of the season.
San Ġwann, on their part, remain with one point to show for their efforts after three league outings.
SAN ĠWANN
I. Schembri; N. Camenzuli, N. Saliba, M. Ibrahim, N. Attard, A. Kricak, O. Mhalli, M. Formosa, F. Al Girbi, C. Mihalic, K. Vella.
SWIEQI UNITED
P. Araujo; J. Dimech, M. Sciberras, E. Xuereb, S. Abdulai, K. Abdulai, S. Zammit, Rafanny, J. Schembri, T. Falzon, K. Micallef.
Substitutes used: M. Vella 42, M. Cachia 46, M. Debono 57, L. Frendo 57, T. Scicluna 71.
STANDINGS – after MD3
HIBERNIANS – 7 POINTS
MĠARR UNITED – 7
SWIEQI UNITED – 6
BIRKIRKARA – 3
VALLETTA – 3
SAN ĠWANN – 1
LIJA ATHLETIC – 1
MTARFA – 0
Photo: Jonathan Sajeba Photography.
