Women's Team win league unbeaten

by Ayrton Galea - 28th March 2012

Birkirkara FC's Women Team finished the league unbeaten when yesterday evening, in the last match of the league they shared the spoils with Hibernians in a 2-2 draw.

After being mathematically crowned champions in the last match against Pembroke, Birkirkara still went to the match in full force as they had another important target to achieve, which was to remain the whole league campaign unbeaten and they succeeded. Without any doubt, the excitement and pressure were clearly visible in the match as the performance was understandably not one of the best. This was excusable for the fact that for several players this was the first league title ever won.

The match was lacking from goal opportunities as both defenses was solid and concentrated, with Birkirkara's rear guard lead by the usual Stephania Farrugia who once again showed her class at the back. In the second half the tempo increased a bit, particularly after Hibernians equalised. 'The Stripes' regained the lead but Hibernians scored a late equaliser on the 89th minute.

The First Half

The First Half was quite boring as it was played on a low tempo but Birkirkara were the better side in the first forty five minutes and they took the lead thanks to the captain, Chantal Fenech.

Birkirkara's first action after just a few seconds saw Kelly Agius Pace dribbling a defender and sending a cross which was too long for Gabriella Zahra.

Kim Parnis had a shot from inside the area ending over, on the 4th minute.

A fine cross for Hibernians on the 21st minute was parried by Janice Xuereb.

Rachel Cuschieri tried her luck with a cross shot on the 23rd minute which ended wide by inches.

Birkirkara took the lead! A Gabriella Zahra freekick was short cleared and Chantal Fenech hit home from a close range to put Birkirkara in the lead on the 26th min.

Birkirkara could have made them two on the 31st minute. After a fine combination between Gabriella Zahra and Rachel Cuschieri, the latter crossed towards Gabriella Zahra who sent a perfect cross in the box for Rachel Cuschieri who hit over the bar from an ideal position.

Rachel Cuschieri tried a long distance shot which ended wide on the 32nd minute.

A long distance freekick by Kim Parnis on the 39th minute was parried by the Hibernians goalkeeper, Christine Camilleri.

In the last action of the first half, on the 44th minute, a combination between Rachel Cuschieri and Kim Parnis saw the latter's shot ending wide.

The Second Half

The second half was more eventful. After Hibernians equalised, the tempo increased with Birkirkara regaining the lead. However Hibernians, in the dying moments of the match, scored the equaliser.

Four minutes in the second half, Kelly Agius Pace had a shot blocked inside the box.

Charlene Grech for Hibernians had a shot saved without difficulty by Janice Xuereb.

On the 54th minute Janice Xuereb made a fine save following a direct freekick.

In the first substitution for Birkirkara, Alishia Sultana was included instead of Kim Parnis on the 57th minute.

Hibernians equalised. A direct freekick on the 63th gave Janice Xuereb no chance, to level matters for Hibernians.

Rachel Cuschieri had a fine solo run on the 68th minute before her powerful shot from a long distance, was saved by the goalkeeper in two attempts.

On the 73rd minute, Janice Xuereb perfoormed a save following another direct freekick.

Birkirkara could have easily regained the lead on the 77th minute, when Rachel Cuschieri sent a perfect cross to Kelly Agius, who, from an ideal position, hit wide.

Birkirkara regained the lead thanks to a wonderful goal. Rachel Cuschieri did the impossible from almost the middle of the field on the 79th minute. A powerful shot from the left side saw the ball ending in the right low corner and the goalkeper had no hope of saving it.

Hibernians equalised, in the last action of the match. On the 89th minute, Hibernians equalised thanks to a deflection from a corner kick despite the attempt of the defenders who tried to put the ball into safety.

The full time whistle found the Birkirkara players and staff celebrating not only being crowned champions but also, as unbeaten champions which truly shows the real class of the this team.

Following these celebrations, Captain Chantal Fenech was presented with the league cup by MFA vice-president Mr. Ludovigo Micallef in presence of BOV marketing manager Tanya Gravina.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Isabelle Mazzitelli, Chantal Fenech, Yasmeen Vella, Maryrose Cardona, Stephania Farrugia, Martina Cilia, Kim Parnis (57' Alishia Sultana), Gabriella Zahra (85' Charlene Schembri), Rachel Cuschieri, Kelly Agius Pace (82' Rosanne Xerri)

HIBERNIANS: Christine Camilleri, Maria Azzopardi, Rosalie Cauchi, Sherianne Zammit, Claire Sciberras , Mandy Debono, Charlene Zammit, Ylenia Carabott, Charlene Grech, Kathleen Saliba, Dionne Tonna

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