Cabfix Ladies bowed out of the Women’s FA Cup at the Round of 32 stage, but not without rewriting part of the season’s narrative, as they handed Jonina Ladies their first goal conceded in all competitions during a hard-fought 2–1 derby defeat at the Auntie-Aku AstroTurf.
The clash had the intensity of a local derby, with both teams sharing the same home venue despite Cabfix being listed as hosts. Jonina arrived with an impressive defensive record, having gone six matches without conceding in the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League, and fresh from a comfortable 2–0 victory over Faith Ladies in the Round of 64.
Confidence was equally high in the Cabfix camp following their narrow 1–0 triumph over Oak Ladies in the previous round — a Premier League side — a result that set the tone for a bold performance against another top-flight opponent.
Jonina drew first blood early, opening the scoring in the 10th minute, but Cabfix refused to sit back. Their persistence was rewarded moments before the interval, as they pulled level in the 43rd minute to ensure the teams went into the break deadlocked at 1–1, ending Jonina’s season-long clean-sheet streak.
After the restart, Jonina’s experience and quality came to the fore, with the Premier League side finding the decisive breakthrough in the 58th minute. The goal proved enough to secure progression to the next round, though Cabfix continued to battle until the final whistle.
Despite the result, Cabfix Ladies left the competition with heads held high, earning widespread praise for becoming the first team to breach Jonina’s defence this season, while Jonina’s formidable league defensive record remains untouched as they march on in the FA Cup.
