Swieqi secure narrow win over Mġarr in highlight game

SWIEQI UNITED 1-0 MĠARR UNITED
Salamatu Abdulai 70.

Swieqi United secured their first points at the expense of one of last year’s Top Four sides, beating Mġarr United on Saturday.

Ghana forward Salamatu Abdulai scored the all-important winner on the 70th minute.

The Owls are now third on 15 points while Mġarr remain fourth on 12, trailing leaders Hibernians by seven.

SWIEQI UNITED
P. Araujo; S. Urpani, J. Flask (57 E. Micallef), S. Abdulai, K. Abdulai, S. Zammit, Rafanny, J. Schembri, T. Falzon, M. Cachia.
Coach: Dorianne Theuma.

MĠARR UNITED
P. Ebejer; A. Camilleri, M. Debono, V. Mifsud, Y. Carella, L. Cefai, V. Villegas, Y. Mendez, R. Bajada, B. Borg, A. Grech (76 R. Borg).
Coach: Ryan Vella.

Referee: Kyle Cilia.

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LIJA ATHLETIC 0-8 HIBERNIANS
Joelma 7; Leah Ayres 19, 66; Martina Borg 43, 88; Rodianne Zerafa 70; Alexis Espitia 75, 86.

Leaders Hibernians continued their winning form, hitting Lija Athletic for eight.

The Paolites drew first blood early in the game through Joelma with Leah Ayres and Martina Borg extending the lead to three goals before half-time.

After the break, Borg added another one, Rodianne Zerafa picked one herself while Alexis Espitia grabbed a brace.

Hibernians lead with 19 points, Lija Athletic are on six points.

LIJA ATHLETIC
C. Pisani; S. Bouzid, M. Stagno, N. Zarb Cousin, S. Bugeja, E. Marmara, K. Pantalleresco, I. Sanchez, R. Mifsud, M. Ibrahim, C. Deguara.
Coach: Jethron Azzopardi.

HIBERNIANS
E. Harrington (75 M. Muscat); N. Geren, C. Ellul, A. Galea (68 F. Zahra), A. Busuttil, K. Chetcuti, M. Borg, Y. Attard (52 R. Zerafa), L. Ayres (68 M. Camilleri), N. Sciberras, Joelma (52 A. Espitia).
Coach: Kenneth Costantino.

Referee: Stefania Bonnici.

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SAN ĠWANN 1-1 VALLETTA
Hailey Russell 47 (S); Marcelle Oliveira 4 (V).

San Ġwann and Valletta shared the spoils in an intriguing encounter between last season’s best two teams in the Bottom Four.

Hailey Russell continued her impressive scoring form, earning a point for San Ġwann after Marcelle Oliveira had put the Citizens ahead.

San Ġwann are on seven points, Valletta on five.

SAN ĠWANN
J. Caruana; A. Rapa, N. Kobayashi, M. Schembri, H. Russell, T. Chaimaa, O. Mhalli, S. Gheiti (64 N. Attard), N. Blundell (72 F. Al Girbi), K. Vella, J. Falzon.
Coach: Julian Camilleri.

VALLETTA
G. Grima; A. Aloisio, E. Martins, M. Oliveira, M. Sultana, L. Muscat (56 M. La Rosa), S. Farrugia Sacco (76 A. Mifsud), Y. Grech, E. Micallef (76 S. Fenech), S. Blihi, L. Vella.
Coach: Jean Lopes.

Referee: Matteo Falzon.

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STANDINGS

Hibernians 19; Birkirkara 16; Swieqi United 15; Mġarr United 12; San Ġwann 7; Lija Athletic 6; Valletta 5; Mtarfa 0.