Hibernians fend off Birkirkara to move top of women’s league

BIRKIRKARA 2-3 HIBERNIANS
Luana Cabral 33, Erica Bispo 84 (B); Alexis Espitia 9, Jessica Dimech 23, Maya Cachia 41 og.

Hibernians secured a hugely important win over old foes Birkirkara to move top of the Assikura Women’s League.

The Paolites are now sitting in first position with 13 points, while Birkirkara follow with 10.

Hibernians forged ahead through Alexis Espitia after just nine minutes.

They doubled the lead when Jessica Dimech beat Maya Cachia from close-range, just past the 20-minute mark.

Birkirkara, though, pulled one back through Luana Cabral but Hibs restored their two-goal lead before half-time through a Cachia own goal.

Late in the game, the Stripes managed to find the back of the net again through Erica Bispo but Hibernians managed to keep Birkirkara at bay and clinch the narrow win.

BIRKIRKARA
M. Cachia; G. Zahra (80 A. Vassallo), M. Fenech (62 M. Cardona), Y. Hazekawa, F. Chircop (62 R. Giusti), Luana Cabral, A. Cassar, V. Rapa, C. Zammit, C. Schechinger, E. Bispo.
Coach: Vince Galea.

HIBERNIANS
E. Harrington; N. Geren, C. Ellul (80 Y. Attard), J. Dimech, A. Busuttil, K. Chetcuti, M. Borg (86 L. Ayres), N. Sciberras, I. Farrugia, A. Espitia (90 A. Galea), Joelma (90 R. Zerafa).
Coach: Kenneth Costantino.

Referee: Jo-Anna Vassallo.

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LIJA ATHLETIC 0-5 SWIEQI UNITED
Sarah Urpani 23; Karima Abdulai 44, 47; Maria Vella 69; Rafanny 81.

Swieqi United earned their second consecutive win, their third of the season after beating Lija Athletic.

The Owls scored twice in the first half through Sarah Urpani, one of their summer signings, and Karima Abdulai.

Abdulai added another just after the restart before Maria Vella and Rafanny wrapped up the win.

Lija remain on six points.

LIJA ATHLETIC
C. Pisani; L. Micallef (65 Y. Zammit), S. Caruana, S. Bugeja, N. Zarb Cousin, R. Mifsud, M. Stagno, K. Grech, V. Honorio, S. Bouzid, E. Marmara (61 D. Camilleri).
Coach: Jethron Azzopardi.

SWIEQI UNITED
P. Araujo; E. Micallef, S. Urpani (70 S. Mallia), J. Flask, E. Xuereb, S. Abdulai, K. Abdulai (58 M. Vella), S. Zammit, Rafanny, J. Schembri, M. Cachia (58 M. Conti).
Coach: Dorianne Theuma.

Referee: Stefania Bonnici.

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VALLETTA 5-0 MTARFA
Kim Fava 6, Ylenia Grech 18, Anna Aloisio 53, Eunice Micallef 87, Monique Sultana 89.

Valletta registered their first win of the season after hitting Mtarfa for five.

The Citizens scored twice in the first 45 minutes through Kim Fava and Ylenia Grech.

After the break, Anna Aloisio scored the game’s third goal before two late goals through Eunice Micallef and Monique Sultana to seal the win.

VALLETTA
G. Grima; A. Aloisio, K. Zammit (55 S. Farrugia Sacco), Marcelle Oliveira, M. Sultana, L. Muscat, Y. Grech (55 E. Micallef), S. Blihi (55 H. Grima), S. Fenech, K. Fava, S. Bonello Ghio (55 L. Vella).
Coach: Jean Lopes.

MTARFA
D. Grech; C. Versteegh, A. Fenech (46 K. Camilleri), N. Espinel, C. Westerlund, D. Alvarez, E. Borg, K. Ciappara (75 J. Azzopardi), M. Abdilla, P. Ciappara, R. Zammit.
Coach: Gaetano Papaleo.

Referee: Christian Lia.

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STANDINGS

HIBERNIANS – 13
BIRKIRKARA – 10
MĠARR UNITED – 9
SWIEQI UNITED – 9
LIJA ATHLETIC – 6
SAN ĠWANN – 6
VALLETTA – 4
MTARFA – 0