Second-half blitz sees Hibernians beat Swieqi United in women’s league

Champions Birkirkara clinch second consecutive victory

SWIEQI UNITED 1-2 HIBERNIANS
Alexis Espitia 52 (H), Martina Borg 54 (H); Salamatu Abdulai 57 (S).

Hibernians extended their unbeaten start after staging a commanding display to defeat Swieqi United in the big match of the week.

After a pulsating first 45 minutes ended in a goalless stalemate, two Hibernians goals inside the opening nine minutes saw them take a two-goal lead.

Former Swieqi United player Alexis Espitia (picture) beat Chanelle Borg from close-range before captain Martina Borg doubled the lead with a strike from the outside the area.

The Owls pulled one back through Ghana forward Salamatu Abdulai as they piled up the pressure on the Paolites in search for an equaliser.

However, veteran goalkeeper Sharon Costantino – who returned in goal this weekend – pulled a few impressive saves while the rest of the Hibernians’ team stood their ground to keep Swieqi at bay and clinch three precious points.

SWIEQI UNITED
C. Borg; J. Dimech, M. Sciberras, E. Xuereb, S. Abdulai, K. Abdulai, S, Zammit, Rafanny, J. Schembri, T. Falzon, K. Metzger.
Substitutes used: M. Debono, K. Micallef, M. Cachia.

HIBERNIANS
S. Costantino; N. Geren, C. Ellul, A. Busuttil, K. Chetcuti, S. Urpani, M. Borg, A. Caschetto, L. Ayres, N. Sciberras, A. Espitia.
Substitutes used: N, Celeste.

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BIRKIRKARA 8-0 SAN ĠWANN
Arianna Del Moral 23, 73, 77; Alishia Sultana 24; Edith Garcia 26; Marta Grosso 31; Valentina Rapa 37; Ann-Marie Said 60.

Birkirkara broke little sweat to beat San Ġwann and secure their second win of the season.

Returning from their European commitments, the Stripes opened a comfortable five-goal lead in the first half before sealing the win with three more goals.

American midfielder Arianna Del Moral scored a hat-trick for the Stripes while Edith Garcia, scorer of the winning goal against Breznica in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, was on the scoresheet as well.

BIRKIRKARA
J. Xuereb; G. Zahra, A. Said, F. Chircop, E Garcia, A. Sultana, V. Mifsud, M. Grosso, A. Del Moral, C. Rodgers, V. Rapa.
Substitutes used: I. Camilleri, R. Giusti, S. Francalanza, Y. Azzopardi, A. Vassallo.

SAN ĠWANN
J. Caruana; A. Rapa, N, Camenzuli, M. Schembri, M. Ibrahim, T. Chaimaa, N. Attard, A. Kricak, O. Mhalli, C. Mihalic, K, Vella.
Substitutes used: Y. Attard, F. Al Girbi, J. Attard.

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LIJA ATHLETIC 1-3 VALLETTA
Anna Aloisio 26, 49 (V), Ylenia Grech 43 (V); Leanne Micallef 12 (L).

Valletta recorded their second win of the season after beating Lija Athletic at the Victor Tedesco.

The Lilywhites cancelled a one-goal deficit after Lija had forged ahead through Leanne Micallef.

Anna Aloisio, twice, and Ylenia Grech scored Valletta’s goals to seal the comeback win.

LIJA ATHLETIC
N. Zarb Cousin; S. Caruana, S. Bugeja, V. Carneiro, E. Marmara, S. Buttigieg, M. Schembri, R. Mifsud, L. Micallef, K. Grech, E. Xuereb.
Substitutes used: H. Muscat, A. Gingell, I. Mazzitelli.

VALLETTA
A. Mickaelly; A. Aloisio, G. Mifsud, M. Sultana, D. Martins, M. Conti, Y. Grech, G. Antonelli, Marcelle, S. Farrugia Sacco, F. Bartolo.
Substitutes used: M. Bonello Ghio, L. Muscat, S. Vella Barberi.

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STANDINGS

Mġarr United, Hibernians 10; Birkirkara, Swieqi United, Valletta 6; Lija Athletic, San Ġwann 1; Mtarfa 0.

Photo: Swieqi United FC