HIBERNIANS 2-1 BIRKIRKARA
N. Geren 30 pen, M. Pellegrini 72 (og) (H); I. Camilleri 6 (B).
Hibernians M. Cachia; N. Geren, C. Schechinger, J. Dimech, O. Nazarko, K. Chetcuti (83 F. Bartolo), Y. Attard (77 L. Calleja), G. Mifsud, L. Ayres (83 F. Bartolo), N. Sciberras, S. Vella Barberi (60 I. Farrugia).
Birkirkara: J. Xuereb; G. Zahra, L. May Azzopardi, S. Farrugia, A. Busuttil, P. Lamanna, E. Micallef (47 A. Vassallo), Y. Grech (47 I. Stringer), I. Camilleri, M. Pellegrini, M. Cardona.
VALLETTA 0-5 MĠARR UNITED
V. Villegas 15, 22; J. N’Guessan 17; Y. Mendez 25; M. Abdilla 82 og.
Valletta: D. Grech (46 G. Grima); S. Fenech, L. Cassar, S. Caruana, E. Marmara, E. Csik, L. Zolorsano (84 K. Zammit), C. Magri (46 D. Ciantar), H. Fenech (46 M. Belkis), M. Abdilla (84 L. Carabott), S. Bugeja.
Mġarr United: P. Ebejer (46 G. D’Antuono); A. Camilleri, A. Villegas (46 A. Fenech), M. Debono, K. Sciberras, L. Cefai (62 Y. Debono), V. Villegas (46 M. Mizzi), Y. Mendez (46 M. Stagno), R. Bajada, J. N’Guessan, A. Grech.
SWIEQI UNITED 8-1 SAN ĠWANN
S. Saliba 8, 63; A. Yaneva 12; S. Abdulai 18, 43, 73; A. Kricak 30; S. Zammit 65.
Swieqi United: P. Araujo; V. Rapa, S. Urpani (73 T. Scicluna), E. Xuereb (73 M. Conti), S. Abdulai, A. Yaneva, S. Zammit, T. Falzon. A. Kricak, M. Cachia (82 S. Mallia), S. Saliba (82 M. Vella).
San Ġwann: J. Caruana (72 R. Magro); A. Rapa, M. Kasim, S. Blihi (46 F. Al Girbi), L. Vella, R. Borg (78 N. Attard), N. Blundell, M. Fanega, K. Vella (62 T. Muscat), K. Paris (46 N. Addo), H. Russell.
Hibernians secured the marquee victory of Matchday 2 in the Assikura Women’s League, coming from behind to defeat Birkirkara 2-1.
The Stripes had struck first when Izabella Camilleri opened the scoring early in the match. However, Hibs restored parity on the half-hour mark through Natalee Geren, who converted from the penalty spot. The Paolites then completed their turnaround midway through the second half when Maya Pellegrini inadvertently turned the ball into her own net on the 72nd minute, sealing a second successive win for the Paolites.
Elsewhere, reigning champions Swieqi United responded in emphatic fashion after their opening-day slip, dismantling San Ġwann 8-1. Salamatu Abdulai led the way with a hat-trick while Sara Saliba scored twice. Further goals came from captain Shona Zammit, new signing Aleksandra Yaneva, and Andela Kricak. San Ġwann’s consolation was scored by last season’s top scorer Hailey Russell.
Meanwhile, Mġarr United also maintained their perfect start with a 5-0 victory over Valletta. Valeria Villegas struck twice, while new signing Josline N’Guessan continued her fine form with another goal following her debut strike against Swieqi. Yanina Mendez and an own goal rounded off the scoring for the Greens.
STANDINGS (after MD2)
Mġarr United, Hibernians 6; Swieqi United, Birkirkara 3; San Ġwann, Valletta 0.
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Champions Swieqi take on Birkirkara on MD3
Matchday 3 of the Assikura Women’s League promises another intriguing set of fixtures, with the spotlight firmly on the clash between Birkirkara and Swieqi United. The encounter will be played between Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13.
The rivalry between the Stripes and the Owls has been one of the league’s most compelling in recent years. Champions Swieqi start as favourites after their resounding 8-1 victory over San Ġwann restored confidence following their opening-day defeat to Mġarr United. A win would lift them to six points from their first three games.
For Birkirkara, who slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Hibernians last week, the challenge comes at a delicate moment. The Stripes are still adapting to a transitional phase under new coach Billy Mock. For Mock, this fixture carries added significance, as it marks his first meeting with former club Swieqi, where he spent a decade in various capacities.
Elsewhere, both Hibernians and Mġarr United will be aiming to extend their perfect starts. The Paolites, who have scored four goals and conceded just once so far, meet winless Valletta. Meanwhile, Mġarr, boasting seven goals scored and the league’s only clean sheet after two rounds, take on bottom side San Ġwann.
For San Ġwann and Valletta, who both featured in last season’s Bottom Four, the opening weeks have underlined the gulf in quality, with neither side managing to pick up points so far. Both will be desperate to break their duck in Matchday 3, though they face stern opposition from two of the league’s in-form contenders.
NEXT FIXTURES
FRIDAY
Birkirkara vs Swieqi United – 8.30pm, Centenary Stadium.
San Ġwann vs Mġarr United – 8.30pm, Charles Abela Stadium (Mosta).
SATURDAY
Hibernians vs Valletta – 8.30pm, Dingli Ground.
