Birkirkara move first after Hibernians slip against Mġarr in women’s league

Birkirkara, the Assikura Women’s League defending champions, have seized an opportunity to lead the table after Hibernians’ unbeaten run came to an end with a 3-0 defeat against Mġarr United.

Hibs, previously in first place, now find themselves slipping into second with 20 points, trailing leaders Birkirkara by two goals.

This crucial win not only allows Mġarr to close in on the top spot, now just four points behind, but also marks their first victory over a Top Four side this season—a significant statement for the team.

Meanwhile, Swieqi United secured a win as well, bringing their points tally to 19 and keeping them in third place.

Mġarr scored twice in the first half against Hibernians through Colombian siblings, Alejandra and Valeria Villegas.

After the change of ends, Mġarr added a third through Argentine defender Yanina Mendez.

Late in the game, Hibernians suffered another setback after defender Amber Galea was sent off.

Birkirkara hit Lija for 13, moving first on 22 points.

Erica Bispo, their summer signing, scored four goals, forward Francesca Chircop scored a hat-trick while captain Alishia Cassar hit a brace.

American player Calista Schechinger scored another together with Charlene Zammit and Martina Fenech, her first goal in this women’s league. The other goal was a Corine Deguara’s own goal.

Swieqi forward Karima Abdulai scored a hat-trick to inspire the Owls to a victory over Valletta.

The Ghana player scored twice in the first half before wrapping up the win in late in the second half.

San Ġwann beat Mtarfa 9-0 to move into fifth place on 10 points.

Moroccan player Tourki Chaimaa scored four goals while American forward Hailey Russell netted a hat-trick.

The other goals were grabbed by captain Annabelle Rapa

HIBERNIANS 0-3 MĠARR UNITED
Alejandra Villegas 14, Valeria Villegas 39, Yanina Mendez 51.

HIBERNIANS
E. Harrington; A. Galea, J. Dimech, A. Busuttil (66 C. Ellul), K. Chetcuti, M. Borg, Y. Attard (66 L. Ayres), N. Sciberras, I. Farrugia, A. Espitia (77 R. Zerafa), Joelma.
Coach: Kenneth Costantino.

MĠARR UNITED
G. D’Antuono; A. Camilleri, A. Villegas, M. Debono, V. Mifsud, Y. Carella, L. Cefai, V. Villegas (78 R. Borg), Y. Mendez (64 A. Grech), R. Bajada, B. Borg.
Coach: Ryan Vella.

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BIRKIRKARA 13-0 LIJA ATHLETIC
Corine Deguara 5 og.; Alishia Cassar 12, 31; Calista Schechinger 16; Erica Bispo 34, 40, 41, 44; Francesca Chircop 52, 70, 80; Charlene Zammit 78; Martina Fenech 86.

BIRKIRKARA
M. Cachia (46 E. Cortis); G. Zahra (46 F. Chircop), M. Fenech, Y. Hazekawa, L. Cabral, A. Cassar (59 L. May Azzopardi), V. Rapa, A. Vassallo (59 R. Steer-Chetham), C. Zammit, C. Schechinger, E. Bispo (46 R. Giusti).
Coach: Vince Galea.

LIJA ATHLETIC
C. Pisani; S. Bouzid, M. Stagno, S. Caruana, S. Bugeja, E. Marmara, M. Schembri, L. Micallef, V. Honorio, K. Grech, C. Deguara.
Coach: Jethron Azzopardi.

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VALLETTA 0-3 SWIEQI UNITED
Karima Abdulai 17, 34, 90.

VALLETTA
G. Grima; A. Aloisio, E. Martins (67 L. Vella), M. Oliveira, M. Sultana (76 S. Fenech), L. Muscat (60 M. La Rosa), S. Farrugia Sacco, Y. Grech, S. Vella Barberi, E. Micallef, S. Blihi.
Coach: Jean Lopes.

SWIEQI UNITED
P. Araujo; E. Micallef, S. Urpani (85 T. Scicluna), E. Xuereb (85 S. Mallia), S. Abdulai, K. Abdulai, S. Zammit, Rafanny, J. Schembri (85 I. Abela), T. Falzon (77 M. Conti).
Coach: Dorianne Theuma.

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SAN ĠWANN 9-0 MTARFA
Tourki Chaimaa 2, 17, 38, 81; Hailey Russell 3, 27, 32,; Annabelle Rapa 37; Fatma Al Girbi 55.

SAN ĠWANN
J. Caruana; S. Bartolo (67 K. Cachia), A. Rapa, N. Kobayashi, H. Russell, T. Chaima, O, Mhalli, S. Gheiti (83 K. Tonna), N. Blundell (80 C. Mihalic), F. Al Girbi, K. Vella.
Coach: Julian Camilleri.

MTARFA
D. Grech; C. Versteegh (77 S. Ghigo), E. Csik, A. Fenech (87 E. Azzopardi), E. Borg, K. Ciappara (80 K. Camilleri), M. Abdilla, S. Spiteri (87 S. Bertona), P. Ciappara, R. Zammit, K. Gribbon (66 E. Farrugia).
Coach: Gaetano Papaleo.

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STANDINGS

Birkirkara 22; Hibernians 20; Swieqi United 19; Mġarr United 18; San Ġwann 10; Valletta 8; Lija Athletic 6; Mtarfa 0.