Women's Under-17's Team share an eight-goal thriller with Raiders

by Ayrton Galea - 12th March 2017

Birkirkara FC Women Under-17's Team shared the spoils in an incredible 4-4 draw against Raiders FC, in one of the most entertaining matches of the season.

Birkirkara and Raiders produced a brilliant display to cancel each other in an eighth goal thriller as both teams earned a point for their effort and never-give-up attitude during a match full of thrills and excitement. Once again, there was nothing to separate these two teams following a 1-1 draw in the first-round.

The First Half

Birkirkara surged ahead after ten minutes. Veronique Mifsud served Michela Felice, who did well to get past two defenders, before drilling a low shot past goalkeeper Jodie Attard.

The Stripes continued to build on their positive start and they doubled the lead five minutes later. Veronique Mifsud produced a terrific solo-action that saw her sprinting from the half-way line all the way to the box before her cross-shot surprised goalkeeper Attard, following a deflection by the Raiders defender.

The second goal seemed to be a wake-up call for Raiders, as they stepped-up their tempo and deservingly pulled one back on the twenty-second minute. Rohanne Zahra struck a wonderful direct free-kick that gave goalkeeper Anthea Enriquez no chance.

The first half ended with Birkirkara having a narrow lead with a 2-1 score.

The Second Half

Following a balanced start in the second half, Raiders made the score level twelve minutes inside the second half. A short clearance by the Birkirkara defender found the loose ball arriving to the path of Maya Lucio who hit a first-time powerful shot home.

The Stripes regained the lead on the fifty-fifth minute. Sarah Urpani delivered a brilliant cross on the second-post and Samantha Zarb executed her shot perfectly as she hit home with a wonderful effort.

Raiders made an instant reaction and they made the score level five minutes later. Maya Lucio, unmarked outside the box, showed great technique to place a fine shot in the low corner, past goalkeeper Enriquez.

With five minutes remaining, Birkirkara once again regained the lead. A diagonal pass found Sarah Urpani beating the offside trap and the team's captain showed great composure to hit a brilliant first-time in-swinging shot that surprised goalkeeper Attard.

There was another twist in the dramatic final minutes as Raiders got an equaliser just two minutes later, with a close-range effort by Michela Bonello Ghio to take a deserved point.

BIRKIRKARA: Anthea Enriquez, Michela Felice, Samantha Zarb, Maria Fenech, Sarah Urpani, Nicole Zammit (57' Kaycee Micallef), Veronique Mifsud, Sarah Cassar, Mariah Cardona (51' Nicole Borg).

Scorers: 10' Michela Felice, 15' Veronique Mifsud, 55' Samantha Zarb, 65' Sarah Urpani (Birkirkara). 22' Rohanne Zahra, 47' Maya Lucio, 70' Maya Lucio, 77' Michela Bonello Ghio

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