Birkirkara and Mosta share the spoils in the clash of the leaders

by Ayrton Galea - 17th April 2013

Where there is a will there is a way, and the Women's Team proved this saying yesterday evening when they scored a dramatic equaliser two minutes from time to end the match in a 2-2 score in the clash of the leaders against Mosta.

After the Stripes took an early lead and being totally dominant, they might have thought it was going to be a stroll in the park, but this was not to be. Mosta equalised quickly, and then went on to take the lead early in the second half.

However, when everyone thought that the Blues had emerged as winners from this match, Birkirkara once again showed their never-give-up attitude and scored a dramatic goal which enabled the Stripes to continue enjoying their leadership with Mosta on top of the table.

This result favoured mostly Hibernians as they are now back in the title race as the Paolites are just one point behind the same Birkirkara and Mosta, with the Stripes facing Hibernians in their next match.

Mr. Johann Scicluna made just one change from the first-eleven that trashed Gozo with a 6-0 score as Kelly Agius Pace replaced Simone Buttigieg.

As one could expect, a clash between these top sides in Women's football was once again balanced as both sides knew that the stakes were high for this match.

The First Half

Knowing that the Stripes are still yet to beat the Blues this season, they went out all guns blazing, and they could not have asked for a better start as in their first attack they took the lead.

Rachel Cuschieri, Birkirkara's top scorer of the league so far, fired a powerful drive which surprised National goalkeeper Sharon Costantino to put the Stripes ahead after just eight minutes.

Still confident, fired up and enthusiastic from this great opening, the Stripes almost made them two on the 10th minute. Following a fast break-away, Rachel Cuschieri found herself in an ideal position but her low shot scratched past the post.

However, Birkirkara's early enthusiasm suffered a major set-back on the 12th minute as Mosta equalised in their first scoring opportunity. From a perfect pass, that showed great precision and vision, sent in direction of Jade Flask, the Under 16 striker kept her cool in front of Janice Xuereb to hit home with a low shot.

With two goals, one from each side in less than fifteen minutes, the present spectators should have known that this match will have all the ingredients for an entertaining one.

This goal seemed to settle both sides down as they were battling it out for every inch of space, which made it impossible to penetrate either defence, with Birkirkara however still enjoying a slight edge.

Birkirkara threatened to regain advantage on the 23rd minute when Rachel Cuschieri tried her luck with a direct freekick but her powerful effort ended over.

Four minutes later, Birkirkara were once again on the attack as Rachel Cuschieri served Kim Parnis but the strong midfielder's shot from outside the box was parried by Costantino.

Gabriella Zahra tried her luck with a direct freekick from a diagonal angle on the 36 minutes which hit the outside of the net.

Just two minutes from half-time, Birkirkara were denied from regaining the lead.

Kim Parnis and Rachel Cuschieri exchanged the ball but Cuschieri's lob shot hit the crossbar.

The balanced entertaining first half ended all even.

The Second Half

Nine minutes in the second half, Birkirkara continued where they had left off in the first. Rachel Cuschieri's direct freekick from a distance was saved by goalkeeper Costantino in two attempts.

However against the run of the play, Mosta surged ahead for the first time in the match on the 57th minute. Following a short clearance by Gabriella Zahra, Mosta's creative midfielder Dorianne Theuma unleashed a powerful shot which left no chance to Xuereb.

The Stripes knew that this was a wake-up call as the clock was ticking, and they needed to react to grab the equaliser as quickly as possible.

Their first reaction by the Stripes was a shot on goal thanks to Maryrose Cardona on the 65th minute, when she tried her luck with a volley which was saved by Costantino.

With the Stripes not penetrating the Mosta's defence, Mr. Johann Scicluna introduced a fresh player up front as he included Raina Giusti off Alishia Sultana for the remaining fifteen minutes.

Birkirkara should have equalised on the 78 minutes. Rachel Cuschieri sent a perfect low cross which Isabelle Mazzitelli hit wide in front of Costantino.

In Birkirkara's second substitution, Kelly Groves was included off Isabelle Mazzitelli.

Mosta could have made them three following a fast break-away but the Stripes' defenders cleared into safety.

Simone Buttigieg was included off Maryrose Cardona on the 85th minute.

Those who have followed the Women's team throughout the whole season know very well that giving up is not in the team's mentality, and they proved this once again.

Just three minutes from time, Rachel Cuschieri made a great run, with a defender clearing short. Kelly Agius Pace made the best out of this mistake, and her deadly shot beat Costantino for a dramatic equaliser.

However, there was more drama waiting for those present as Mosta almost notched the winner two minutes on added time in the match's last action.

Off a perfect cross from the left, the Mosta striker powerfully headed the ball which seemed to be a no-chance effort to goalkeeper Xuereb. However, Janice had different thoughts as she made an outstanding save to deny Mosta from their third goal and definitely the winning one. Nothing less but a deserved standing ovation by the Birkirkara supporters, for what is surely the save of the season by the promising goalkeeper.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara once again refusing to give in and being rewarded for their strong character with another late goal which avoided them a defeat and enabled them to stay on top of the table.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Yasmeen Vella, Stephania Farrugia, Kirstie Vella, Kim Parnis, Gabriella Zahra, Maryrose Cardona (85' Simone Buttigieg), Rachel Cuschieri, Isabelle Mazzitelli (80' Kelly Groves), Kelly Agius Pace, Alishia Sultana (75' Raina Giusti).

MOSTA: Sharon Costantino, Oriana Bedingfield, Nicole Buttigieg, Rebecca D'Agostino, Yanice Fenech, Jade Flask, Karen Lia, Annemarie Muscat, Natasha Pace, Dorianne Theuma, Shona Zammit.

Yellow Cards: Kim Parnis (Birkirkara).

Scorers: 8' Rachel Cuschieri, 88' Kelly Agius Pace (Birkirkara), 12' Jade Flask, 57' Dorianne Theuma (Mosta).

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