Women's Team move one win away from title
by Ayrton Galea - 22nd March 2017
Birkirkara FC Women's Team moved three points away from being mathematically champions of the BOV Women's First Division League, when they defeated Mgarr United FC with a 3-1 score. The Stripes now need just one win from the last four matches.
The Stripes registered their fifteenth consecutive league victory, when they produced another top-notch performance to move just one win away from the title. They opened a two-goal lead inside the opening thirty minutes by Yasmeen Vella and Gabriella Zahra. Raina Giusti added the third ten minutes inside the second half, before Rebecca Vella scored a consolation goal for Mgarr.
Coach Shawn Meilak fielded a rather surprising 3-5-2 formation and made four changes from the last league match. Janice Xuereb regained her place between the posts while Alishia Sultana, Gabriella Zahra and Mariah Sciberras replaced Leanne Micallef, Sarah Urpani and Cassie Camilleri.
The First Half
The Stripes opened well and they went close after ten minutes. A short-clearance ended in the path of Mariah Sciberras who tried her luck with a shot from outside the box, but her effort was turned into a corner kick.
Birkirkara surged ahead on the twelfth minute. Following an action from a corner kick, Yasmeen Vella had her header saved by goalkeeper Rachel Borg, but from the rebound, the same player drilled the ball home. This was Vella's first goal this season.
Boosted by the opening goal, the Stripes remained on the attack and went close to double their lead on the sixteenth minute. Giusti served Gabriella Zahra who sent a fine cross inside the box but Kelly Agius Pace's first-time effort ended wide.
The flowing football of the Stripes was catching the eye in the opening twenty-five minutes and the Stripes made them two just before the half-hour mark. Giusti dashed forward on the left, before serving Gabriella Zahra and the towering midfielder struck a powerful shot in the net.
Mgarr had their first shot on goal nine minutes from half-time with a shot ending wide. Four minutes later, Amber Grech did well to advance inside the Birkirkara box but her shot ended wide.
Just before half-time, rapid-winger Alishia Sultana did well to outrun her opponent and sent a second-post cross that saw Mariah Sciberras hitting a powerful shot, but her effort missed the target.
The Second Half
The Stripes continued where they left in the first-half, as they began on the attack. After four minutes, Agius Pace served Giusti who had a diagonal shot ending wide. Moments later, Kim Parnis had a direct free-kick saved by goalkeeper Borg.
Birkirkara made them three ten minutes inside the second half. Giusti did well to dash inside the box and remained cool to place the ball at the back of the net, past goalkeeper Borg. This was Giusti's fourth goal in the last two league matches, after scoring a hat-trick in the last league match.
Three almost became four moments later. Giusti stole possession and sprint all the way from the half-way line but failed to hit the target with a powerful shot. Two minutes later, Tracy Teuma went close with a well-taken shot but effort ended over.
Team's top scorer Kelly Agius Pace was unlucky not to increase Birkirkara's lead twenty minutes from time. A short clearance fell to the path of the prolific scorer and hit a first-time powerful volley, but her shot was well-saved by goalkeeper Borg.
Mgarr United pulled one back eighteen minutes from time. Claudette Xuereb profited from a lack of communication at the back and slotted the ball in the net, past goalkeeper Janice Xuereb.
The referee's full-time whistle brought joy for the Stripes' clan as they moved one win away from the title thanks to another convincing performance.
Birkirkara can be mathematically champions next Tuesday, 28 March when they take on Kirkop United FC. The match will be played at the Charles Abela Stadium and it will kick off at 20:15.
BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb (89' Rosemarie Baldacchino), Gabriella Zahra, Ann-Marie Said, Kim Parnis, Stephania Farrugia, Mariah Sciberras (57' Sonia Schembri), Tracy Teuma, Alishia Sultana, Raina Giusti (83' Sarah Urpani), Yasmeen Vella (71' Cassie Camilleri), Kelly Agius Pace.
Yellow Cards: 81' Alishia Sultana (Birkirkara).
Scorers: 12' Yasmeen Vella, 28' Gabriella Zahra, 55' Raina Giusti (Birkirkara), 72' Rebecca Vella (Mgarr United).
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