Women's team defeats Kirkop United

by Ayrton Galea - 2nd October 2013

Attitude plays a main role in football, and the brilliant attitude showed by Birkirkara FC Women's Team rewarded them their second victory in the BOV Women's First Division League. In the second half, a much improved Stripes side, scored three times to beat Kirkop United with a score of 3-0.

Birkirkara's evening was proving to be a frustrating one, as they were struggling to surge forward in the first-half despite creating enough chances that they could take the lead. However, the half-time team's talk was inspirational for the squad, as the Stripes went out aggressive and they managed to score three goals in space of ten minutes to pick up another three points in this initial phase of the league.

Kirkop had been trashed with a 9-0 score in their opening match, but against possible expectations, it was no walk in the park for the Stripes. The newly promoted side gave an excellent performance as they showed a great resilient character to close all the gaps, but once they fell behind, they were outclassed by the Champions who hit them three without any reply.

Birkirkara's Coach, Mr. Johann Scicluna made just one change from the first match against Pembroke as he withdrew youngster Alishia Sultana and she was replaced by Isabelle Mazzitelli.

The First Half

With strong winds hitting the Maltese islands, the match was forced to start on a quite note as both sides used the first minutes to settle down and adopt themselves to the conditions.

Kirkop were initially the slightly better side, as their aggression denied the Stripes from surging forward. However as soon as the Champions settled down, it was their turn to take the game in their hands.

The Stripes threatened for the first time just past the eleventh minute mark. Kim Parnis tested goalkeeper Sharon Costantino with a long-distance shot, but her attempt ended wide.

Kim Parnis was in action once again on the fifteenth minute with a volley from outside the box but goalkeeper Costantino saved without difficulty.

The Champions had settled down, and they continued to threaten for the opening goal. Following a fine through-ball, Maryrose Cardona anticipated the goalkeeper but her attempt ended wide.

Close to the eighteenth minute, Gabriella Zahra also tried her luck with a long-distance shot but once again an alert Costantino neutralised.

Following a good combination of continuous short passes, Tara Attard had a dangerous cross-shot parried by the goalkeeper on the twentieth minute.

The Stripes were unlucky not to surge ahead on the 23rd minute. Rachel Cuschieri took an excellent free-kick which was denied by the crossbar, before ending into a goal-kick.

Just a minute later, the Stripes threatened again. The low, short, passes were working quite well for them as they were surging forward in a comfortable way. Kim Parnis served Rachel Cuschieri who saw her in-swinging long-distance shot ending wide.

The Champions were dominating their opponents, as they were penetrating the Kirkop's rear-guard thanks to the combination of low, quick passes. However, Kirkop were showing resilience, and they were managing to keep the pace with the Stripes.

The Stripes had a golden opportunity to surge ahead past the half-hour. Stephania Farrugia sent an excellent cross from the back, which caught the Kirkop defenders on the wrong foot, but Kim Parnis, all alone against Costantino, failed to control.

With time passing by, Kirkop continued to gain confidence and they were maintaining the aggression of the Stripes in a more comfortable way as actions were rare.

Two minutes before half-time, Kim Parnis had a fine shot from outside the box ending over.

The end of the first-half saw the Stripes enjoying a slight edge over their opponents but their lack of sharpness in front of goal denied them from taking the lead.

The Second Half

During the half-time interval, Mr. Johann Scicluna effected the first substitution as he withdrew Martina Cilia and introduced Alishia Sultana.

However, he had to revise his plans soon as Maryrose Cardona sustained an ankle injury and was unable to continue playing. Kelly Agius Pace filled Cardona's place in the forward position.

The Stripes were now outclassing their opponents, and they went close to taking the lead twice five minutes into the second half.

In the first instance, Kim Parnis had her shot from inside the box blocked, and off the rebound Alishia Sultana saw her attempt denied by a wonderful save by Costantino.

Thaen, a low shot just moments later also brought the best of the National goalkeeper as she turned the ball into a corner kick.

However, Kirkop replied in an excellent manner and it was their turn to be denied. Tara Attard was the protagonist of keeping the score level by clearing the ball off the goal-line after a shot by Alessia Caschetto.

The Champions surged ahead on the hour mark. Kim Parnis served Rachel Cuschieri from a free-kick, and Cuschieri showed great skill to go through between two players before her shot beat Costantino.

Having sensed Kirkop's uneasiness following the first goal, the Stripes made the best to increase their woes as just three minutes later, they doubled the score.

Rachel Cuschieri managed to score again just three minutes later, this time with a wonderful volley which hit hard past Costantino.

Two became three twenty minutes from time as the Stripes took total control of the match. Kim Parnis delivered an excellent low cross in direction of Alishia Sultana who rounded a player before slotting easily past goalkeeper Costantino.

Kirkop's first reaction after conceding three goals in the space of ten minutes consisted in a diagonal free-kick by Oriana Bedingfield on the 75th minute, but Janice Xuereb parried without any difficulty.

In the third change by Mr. Johann Scicluna, he introduced Charlene Schembri as he withdrew Isabelle Mazzitelli on the 78th minute.

Seven minutes from time, Oriana Bedingfield had a diagonal free-kick easily parried by Xuereb. On the other side of the pitch, just a minute later, Stephania Farrugia connected well off a cross directed on the second post but saw her header ending wide.

On the 86th minute, Rachel Cuschieri tried her luck with a powerful shot in a bid to complete her hat-trick but the shot was saved by Costantino.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara registering their second consecutive victory for a fine start of defending their title, while getting a morale booster before the highly anticipated match against Hibernians scheduled for the 18th October.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Tara Attard, Maryrose Cardona (48' Kelly Agius Pace), Isabelle Mazzitelli (78' Charlene Schembri), Stephania Farrugia, Yasmeen Vella, Rebecca Chircop, Kim Parnis, Gabriella Zahra, Martina Cilia (46' Alishia Sultana), Rachel Cuschieri

KIRKOP: Sharon Costantino, Angele Farrugia, Emilie Pace, Oriana Bedingfield, Jade Flask, Stacey Caruana, Alessia Cashetto, Celine Galea, Rachel Caruana, Kim Simler, Charlene Cassia.

Scorers: 60' Rachel Cuschieri, 63' Rachel Cuschieri, 70' Alishia Sultana.

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