Hibernians launch women’s league campaign with Swieqi win

HIBERNIANS 2-0 SWIEQI UNITED
Martina Borg 59; Natalee Geren 63

Hibernians produced a statement win in the Assikura Women’s League curtain-raiser after beating last season’s runners-up Swieqi United, on Thursday night.

The two teams met at the Centenary Stadium with the Paolites claiming the first three points of the season.

The Paolites, guided by coach Kenneth Costantino, had three new faces making their club debut in goalkeeper Elizabeth Harrington, defender Jessica Dimech – formerly of Swieqi United and playmaker Joelma who joined from Mġarr United.

On the other hand, Swieqi were guided by their former captain Dorianne Theuma in her first full season as a senior team coach.

Sarah Urpani, who in the last two seasons was on the books of Hibernians, was marking her Swieqi debut.

Hibernians made sure of the victory with an early second-half blitz when captain Martina Borg beat Patricia Araujo with a curling effort before Natalee Geren headed home a Chloe Ellul’s freekick from close-range.

HIBERNIANS
E. Harrington; N. Geren, C. Ellul (70 Y. Attard), J. Dimech, A. Busuttil, K. Chetcuti, M. Borg (78 L. Ayres), N. Sciberras, I. Farrugia, A. Espitia, Joelma (90 R. Zerafa).
Coach: Kenneth Costantino.

SWIEQI UNITED
P. Araujo; E. Micallef, S. Urpani, E. Xuereb, K. Abdulai (69 I. Abela), S. Zammit, Rafanny, J. Schembri, T. Falzon, M. Cachia, M. Vella.
Coach: Dorianne Theuma.

Referee: Jo-Anna Vassallo.

Yellow cards: Falzon, Farrugia, Dimech.