Mġarr women secure back-to-back triumph in remarkable season

MĠARR UNITED 1-0 BIRKIRKARA
Carella 10

MĠARR UNITED: G. D’Antuono; A. Camilleri, A. Villegas, M. Debono, V. Mifsud, Y. Carella, L. Cefai, Y. Mendez, M. Hernandez, J. N’Guessan. B. Borg.
BIRKIRKARA: M. Morales; G. Zahra, L. May Azzopardi, K. Monteiro, Y. Grech, A. Vassallo, G. Cassar (64 M. Gauci), S. Francalanza, K. Axiak, H. Sekura, M. Ueda.
Referee: S. Kankaras.
Yellow cards: Monteiro, Borg, May Azzopardi, Zahra.

Mġarr United completed a remarkable domestic treble after retaining the Assikura Women’s Knockout with a narrow victory over Birkirkara.

The Greens capped a memorable season, having already secured the league title and the Jubilee Cup.

An early goal by Yulya Carella, inside the opening 10 minutes, proved decisive as Mġarr claimed their second consecutive knockout crown.

Mġarr United coach Ryan Vella opted for his usual formation, though he was forced to do without Valeria Villegas, the club’s top scorer in their league-winning campaign, as she was unavailable for selection. In her absence, the Greens relied on their foreign contingent, with Alejandra Villegas, Yanina Méndez, Maria Hernandez and Josline N’Guessan all starting.

Birkirkara, meanwhile, were also missing their injured captain Stephania Farrugia. Coach Charlene Zammit still fielded a strong line-up, including leading scorer Momo Ueda.

Mġarr made a bright start and took the lead after 10 minutes. Maria Hernandez delivered a precise ball into the area, allowing Yulya Carella to head past goalkeeper Maleni Morales.

The Greens looked threatening going forward and nearly doubled their advantage soon after, but Morales was alert to deny Alejandra Villegas with a crucial save.

At the other end, Birkirkara tested Mġarr through Amelia Vassallo’s long-range effort, which was comfortably saved by Giulia D’Antuono.

Mġarr continued to push forward, with N’Guessan sending an effort wide as they sought a second goal. Hernandez also tried her luck just before the break, but her shot sailed over the bar.

After the break, the tempo dropped as fatigue set in, with clear-cut chances at a premium.

Birkirkara stepped up their efforts in search of an equaliser and applied pressure on the Mġarr defence, but struggled to carve out any real scoring opportunities.

At the other end, Mġarr came closest to adding a second goal when Josline N’Guessan saw her effort strike the crossbar.

Birkirkara’s Momo Ueda also attempted to make the difference from a free-kick, but her effort sailed over the bar.

In the end, Mġarr held on to their slender advantage to secure the win.