Resilient Women's Team register another late victory

by Ayrton Galea - 26th February 2015

For the second time in three weeks time, Birkirkara FC Women's Team had to wait till the final moments to score the winning goal, when on Tuesday evening they beat Kirkop United FC 1-0.

It was a match that saw both teams playing their hearts out for different objectives. The Stripes were not satisfied with anything other than three points, while Kirkop did their utmost not to leave the stadium empty-handed.

With Hibernians defeating Mgarr United 3-1, there were no changes in the top positions of the BOV Women's League. Hibernians are leading with fourty-three points while Birkirkara continued to chase closely at their heels.

Coach Johann Scicluna, was forced to make two changes from the last outing. Kim Parnis was ruled-out injured while Rebecca Chircop was unavailable due to being ill. Raina Giusti and Kirstie Vella took their place.

The 4-1-3-2 formation featured Janice Xuereb defending the posts, Stephania Farrugia and Yasmeen Vella forming the central-backs while Kirstie Vella and Maryrose Cardona patrolled the wing-backs. Melania Bajada had the usual role of protecting the defence, while supporting midfielders Martina Cilia, Gabriella Zahra and Alishia Sultana. The forward-line featured the tried and trusted duo of Raina Giusti and Kelly Agius Pace.

The First Half

Birkirkara, opening the match as the most aggressive side, had their first scoring opportunity after just two minutes. Raina Giusti delivered a fine corner kick that saw Yasmeen Vella rising high but her powerful header missed the target.

The Stripes threatened again on the twelfth minute. Kelly Agius Pace sent an inviting cross on the second post, and Kirstie Vella ran forward inside the box but her effort was parried by the Kirkop goalkeeper, Sharon Costantino.

On the half-hour mark, Giusti and Agius Pace combined well, with the latter serving Giusti but her shot missed the target. Five minutes later, Gabriella Zahra had a direct free-kick ending over.

Both teams headed to their dressing rooms with a goal-less draw.

The Second Half

Coach Johann Scicluna utilised his first substitution when he included forward Mariah Sciberras to take the place of the struggling Alishia Sultana.

Sciberras could have put her name on the scoring sheet forty-five seconds into the second half. Melania Bajada's corner kick was flicked by Stephania Farrugia and Sciberras, from an ideal position, had her shot saved by Costantino.

Sciberras' speed was making a significant impact and she was in action ten minutes later. Agius-Pace sent Sciberras through but her shot was blocked by Costantino. The rebound created havoc inside the box but it ended in a goal-kick for Kirkop.

Just past the hour-mark, Birkirkara once again failed to convert another golden opportunity. Agius Pace beat the offside trap to race forward unmarked inside the box but her shot in-front of Costantino ended over.

The Stripes had strong protest for a penalty on the seventy-third minute when Agius Pace seemed to be floored inside the box but the referee waved play on. With the Birkirkara striker insisting about the contact inside the box, the referee cautioned her for persistent protests.

With ten minutes remaining, Coach Scicluna advanced Stephania Farrugia to a more offensive role. Sciberras had a shot saved by Costantino, while Farrugia was denied by a last-gasp clearance of Pace, before she could pull the trigger from inside the box.

Four minutes from time, the Stripes surged ahead. Raina Giusti received a ball from Melania Bajada, dribbled past her marker and went inside the box, and her low shot hit past Costantino with the Birkirkara clan erupting in joy.

With few minutes remaining, the Stripes held strong to register a crucial victory in their bid for the league title.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Maryrose Cardona, Stephania Farrugia, Yasmeen Vella, Kirstie Vella, Melania Bajada, Martina Cilia, Gabriella Zahra, Alishia Sultana (46' Mariah Sciberras), Raina Giusti, Kelly Agius Pace.

Yellow Cards: 74' Kelly Agius Pace.

Scorers: 86' Raina Giusti.

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