Women's team hit nine past Pembroke

by Ayrton Galea - 5th December 2012

A brilliant Birkirkara's Women Team was in a class of its own as it didn't have to struggle much to trounce Pembroke Athleta with one of the most comfortable scores this season, that is nine goals with no reply.

As the score itself indicates, it was a one way traffic match, with Birkirkara dominating right from the start. Once again, Mr. Johann Scicluna fielded an attacking formation which gave the Pembroke's defenders a huge headache to keep the Birkirkara forwards at bay.

Coming from 8-0 and 5-0 victories respectively, Birkirkara maintained their rhythm and they registered another big victory thanks to a splendid performance which left Pembroke without any sort of reply, except to defend in number to try and avoid more goals.

Several positive points surely saw Mr. Scicluna leaving the pitch more than happy and satisfied. Raina Giusti, who still forms part of the Under 16 squad, scored her first goal in this Women's League. Maryrose Cardona who recently had some very good games was also rewarded for her hard work with her first goal, while striker Kelly Agius Pace returned to the scoring list with a wonderful goal from a diagonal shot. All in all, praise must go to all the players who once again confirmed the team's strength.

The First Half

Birkirkara made their intentions clear, as they started on the attacking side right from the start. After just one minute, Kelly Agius Pace served Gabriella Zahra who sent a fine pass to the same Kelly whose close range effort was saved by goalkeeper Baldacchino.

Just two minutes later, Gabriella made a fine solo action which was also blocked by goalkeeper Baldacchino.

Birkirkara continued to be a dominant side in the early minutes and on the 6th minute, Rachel Cuschieri had a diagonal effort ending wide. Just two minutes later, a low shot by Gabriella Zahra scratched past the post.

On the 10th minute, Gabriella Zahra sent Raina Giusti through. The Under 16 player advanced before her shot ended wide from an ideal position,

Gabriella was in action once again on the 12th minute when she sent a perfect pass to Rachel Cuschieri but goalkeeper Baldacchino came out to eliminate the danger.

Despite defending in numbers, Birkirkara's hunger for the first goal was too strong for Pembroke, Isabelle Mazzitelli on the 17th minute sent a perfect low cross from the right but failed to be met by anybody.

However, Birkirkara's strength was too much to handle for Pembroke and finally they had to give in to Birkirkara's strength. 'The Stripes' scored the first goal on the 21st minute. Following a fine through ball, Gabriella Zahra managed to beat goalkeeper Baldacchino with a fine uprising shot. This was the seventh goal for this National player in the last five consecutive matches.

Against the run of the play, Pembroke almost scored the equalising goal when in their first scoring opportunity after 25 minutes, Amber Grech's powerful shot ended over the crossbar.

Pembroke's Amber Grech seemed to be the only headache for Birkirkara's defence as on the 27th minute, she advanced to an ideal position before lobbing over goalkeeper Janice who saved in two attempts, with the second from the goal-line.

Birkirkara began to find their feet on the ground once again. On the 31st minute, Isabelle Mazzitelli sent a diagonal cross-shot which was saved by Baldacchino.

In the first substitution for Birkirkara on the 33rd minute, Alishia Sultana was included for Rosanne Xerri to give Birkirkara more technique on the left side.

Rachel Cuschieri was close to double Birkirkara's lead on the 35th minute. Following a very good pass by Raina, Rachel's low shot scratched past the right post.

Birkirkara doubled the lead on the 37th minute which gave them a comfortable cushion in the first half. Following a typical corner by Rachel Cuschieri, Stephania Farrugia strongly headed home.

Two almost became three just one minute later. Rachel Cuschieri fired a powerful shot which was turned into a corner kick. Off the resulting corner, a header by Gabriella ended wide.

Gabriella Zahra could have made them three with a powerful volley from inside the box on the 39th minute but her shot ended over.

Birkirkara made them three on the 40th minute. Gabriella sent a perfect low cross which was met by Raina who rounded a defender before hitting past Baldacchino to score her first goal in the league. Definitely not a surprise were Raina's spontaneous celebrations when she ran to the coach Mr. Scicluna, who has been instrumental in showing her the ropes.

Birkirkara now took total control off the match and Kim Parnis almost made them four with a powerful header which ended wide on the 42nd minute.

However, three become four, one minute from the break. Rachel Cuschieri fired a powerful shot which was blocked by Baldacchino but off the rebound, Gabriella hit home.

The first half saw Birkirkara opening a comfortable four goal lead which clearly showed their dominance in the match.

The Second Half

Birkirkara started the second half strongly as they scored the fifth goal just after three minutes. Raina Giusti's shot was not held by substitute goalkeeper Alice Hyllstom and Gabriella hit home to score the hat-trick goal.

Just three minutes later, Birkirkara scored the sixth goal. Rachel Cuschieri advanced well thanks to her speed, rounded the goalkeeper in style and hit into an empty net to score her 13th goal and to confirm her brilliant form, .

Birkirkara were unstoppable in this second half. Rachel Cuschieri's shot was blocked by goalkeeper, but Stephania Farrugia's shot hit hard past Hyllstom, to make them 7-0 on the 53rd minute.

On the 56th minute Raina Giusti's shot was saved in difficulty by Hyllstom. A minute later, Rachel served Kelly Agius Pace whose low shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

Rachel Cuschieri, a minute from the hour mark, had a long distance shot saved by Hyllstom.

It was no surprise that 'The Stripes' made them eight. On the hour mark, Gabriella Zahra sent a perfect pass to Maryrose Cardona who beat the goalkeeper from close range to be rewarded for her recent fine performances.

Gabriella almost made them nine connecting off a rebound following a shot by Rachel Cuschieri on the 62nd minute. Hardly a minute later, a long distance shot by Cuschieri ended over.

Kelly Agius Pace made them nine on the 68th minute thanks to a wonderful shot from a diagonal right angle. Without any doubt, this goal will surely give her back the confidence and hunger in front of goal. In fact, less than a minute later, Kelly almost scored another goal but her shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.

In the second substition for Birkirkara, Simone Buttigieg was included for Stephania Farrugia on the 70th minute. Five minute later, Sacha Camilleri was included for Raina Giusti.

Rachel Cuschieri was denied notching Birkirkara's tenth goal when her powerful shot was blocked by the goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Maryrose went close from a cross by Cuschieri.

In the fourth substition, Dorcas Debono replaced Isabelle Mazzitelli ten minutes from the end.

Rachel Cuschieri had a powerful diagonal shot ending wide on the 83rd minute.

The full time whistle saw Birkirkara picking their third consecutive victory to maintain the pace and put some pressure on the leaders Mosta.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Kim Parnis, Yasmeen Vella, Isabelle Mazzitelli (80' Dorcas Debono), Maryrose Cardona, Rosanne Xerri (33' Alishia Sultana), Stephania Farrugia (70' Simone Buttigieg), Rachel Cuschieri, Gabriella Zahra, Kelly Agius Pace, Raina Giusti (75' Sacha Camilleri).

PEMBROKE: Marie Rose Baldacchino (45' Alice Hyllstom), Sarah Caruana, Annabelle Rapa, Sarah Cassar, Charlene Leonardi, Sonia Schembri, Amber Grech, Cassandra Camilleri, Martina Borg, Jeanelle Galea, Ottilia Debattista.

Scorers: 21' Gabriella Zahra, 37' Stephania Farrugia, 40' Raina Giusti, 44' Gabriella Zahra, 48' Gabriella Zahra, 51' Rachel Cuschieri, 53' Stephania Farrugia, 60' Maryrose Cardona, 68' Kelly Agius Pace.

comments powered by Disqus