Hibs edge Birkirkara as champions Swieqi bounce back in Assikura Women’s League

Hibernians claimed the standout win of Matchday 2 in the Assikura Women’s League, coming from behind to beat Birkirkara 2–1.

The Stripes took an early lead through Izabella Camilleri, but Hibs levelled the score on the half-hour mark as Natalee Geren converted from the penalty spot. The Paolites then completed their comeback midway through the second half when Maya Pellegrini inadvertently turned the ball into her own net in the 72nd minute, sealing a second consecutive win for Hibernians.

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).
Coach: Martina Borg.

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.
Coach: William Mock.

Referee: Raiden Psaila

Mġarr United maintained their perfect start with a commanding 5–0 win over Valletta. Valeria Villegas netted twice, while new signing Josline N’Guessan continued her fine form by adding to her debut goal against Swieqi. Yanina Mendez was also on target, with an own goal completing the scoring for the Greens.

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.
Coach: Anthony Cremona.

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.
Coach: Ryan Vella.

Referee: Jo-Anna Vassallo

Reigning champions Swieqi United bounced back in emphatic fashion after their opening-day setback, cruising to an 8–1 victory over San Ġwann. Salamatu Abdulai led the charge with a hat-trick, while Sara Saliba added a brace. Captain Shona Zammit, new signing Aleksandra Yaneva, and Andela Kricak were also on the scoresheet. San Ġwann’s lone goal came courtesy of last season’s top scorer, Hailey Russell.

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).
Coach: Dorianne Theuma.

SAN GWANN
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.
Coach: Julian Camilleri.

Referee: Jean Pierre Mifsud

Assikura Women’s League | Matchday 2 – Numbers & Milestones

Matchday 2 of the 2025–26 Assikura Women’s League delivered plenty of action and several notable statistics. Across the three fixtures, a total of 17 goals were scored, with 12 of them coming in the first half.

Foreign players had a strong influence on proceedings, accounting for 11 of the goals, while two penalties and two own goals were also recorded during the round.

Milestones:

Fastest Goal: Izabella Camilleri found the net after just six minutes.

First Hat-trick: Salamatu Abdulai scored the first hat-trick of the season.

Braces: Valeria Villegas (Mġarr United) and Sara Saliba (Swieqi United) both struck twice, with Saliba opening her account for her new club.

First Goals: Aleksandra Yaneva netted her first senior league goal, while Andela Kricak also opened her account for Swieqi.

Debutants: Out of 91 players who featured, three made their Women’s League debut: Catrina Magri (Valletta), Ylenia Debono (Mġarr United), and Raisa Magro (San Ġwann). Several others made their first appearances with new clubs.

Matchday 2 not only delivered goals but also set the stage for emerging talent and key signings to make their mark early in the season.

>> Assikura Women’s League Fixtures, Results & Table