Mgarr vs Pembroke       27/01/09

Our formation:  Ruth Debono,  Dorianne Bonello, Melanie Chircop, Shana Debono, Justine Zammit, Janelle Galea,  Lilian Cremona,  LeeAnne Wood, Brenda Cutajar, Emma Fenech Soler, Dorita Agius

Subs: Sarah Caruana, Simone Daccache

Mgarr Team Formation - To be added soon

A week after a good match which saw Pembroke lose to St Venera in an enthralling match, the Mfa Women football 2nd division league offers another good fixture match, Mgarr Utd vs Pembroke Athelta Fc.

In fact after just 2 minutes we had the very first serious action of the match in which Mgarr showed their quality and agility. Mgarr’s Audrienne Chetcuti did a very good solo run, and gave a well placed through ball which found Kristene totally unmarked, but her shot was denied by Pembroke`s goalkeeper Ruth Debono.

Four minutes later this being the 6th minute Mgarr won a corner, but this corner had no say as it was well cleared by Pembroke`s skipper of the day Dorianne Bonello. In the 9th minute Pembroke started showing some classy play as well when skipper Dorianne Bonello opted for a personal run down on the left flank and delivered a good cross but Mgarr`s defence managed to get before Pembroke`s attackers and cleared the danger and here started a good counter attack by Mgarr which resulted in a corner but ended with no success as Pembroke`s defence managed to clear.

In the 13th minute we could note that this was to be a very serious match and none of the both sides wanted to loose when we had a head to head collision with Lilian Cremona (Pembroke) and Jessica Fenech (Mgarr) involved when trying to head the ball, luckily enough no major injuries occured and both players could carry on in the match.

In the 16th minute Mgarr opened the score, when Daniela Ebejer cut out Pembroke`s defense with a perfect through pass which found Kelly Nicola totally unmarked and finished wisely to make the score 1-0 Mgarr.

Seven minutes later in the 23rd minute, Pembroke started moving well again and the goal for the equalizer was in the air this was when Pembroke were awarded a corner which was safely cleared away by Mgarr`s defense but for another corner the 2nd consecutive one and this time the equalizer arrived after Shana Debono delivered a good cross in the middle, the ball was well controlled by Pembroke`s Striker LeeAnne Wood who concluded with an excellent placing on the left hand side of Mgarr`s goalkeeper Stephanie Cremona to make the score Mgarr 1 Pembroke 1.

We then had twelve minutes of studying by both teams and could see balanced possession of the ball mostly in the midfield. The turning point of the match arrived in the 35th minute when Mgarr conducted a good counter-attack Perfectly finished by Kristene Camilleri to make the score 2-1 for Mgarr.

Six minutes later in the 41st minute Mgarr tried to recreate the same action which gave them the 2-1 lead, this was when midfielder Antoinette Sammut did a good run to the penalty area, but when trying to strike the ball she found Brenda Cutajar who followed her throughout her run and stole the ball before Antoinette could go for the shot.

Three minutes before halftime in the 42nd minute we had the last shot of the first half and this was by Mgarr`s  striker Kristene Camilleri which ended over the bar. So the first half ended with Mgarr having a narrow lead (2-1).

The 2nd half started up as the first half has ended meaning very fast football from both teams  with Mgarr being a bit better and this paid when after just 3 minutes into 2nd half they increased the lead and made the score read Mgarr 3 Pembroke 1.

In the 60th minute we had another substitution for Pembroke in which Emma Fenech Soler was replaced by Sarah Caruana.
In the 62nd minute Mgarr were awarded a Freekick which finish on the wall very well predisposed by Pembroke’s goalkeeper Ruth Debono.
In the 82nd minute Pembroke leaded a very good counter attack with the final shot ending widely not far from the left pole defended by Mgarr`s goalkeeper Stephanie Cremona.

Approaching the 87th minute we had the last action of the match when Mgarr tried the last ditch effort to try and increase the lead but once again Pembroke`s goalkeeper did her a good job to keep the score Mgarr 3 Pembroke 1.

Player of the Match: Brenda Cutajar