Women's Team defeats Raiders

by Ayrton Galea - 16th January 2014

Birkirkara Women's Team chalked up their fifth straight win when they defeated Raiders with a 5-1 score on Tuesday evening.

A quick-fire brace by Raina Giusti put the Stripes in a comfortable position but the Raiders managed to pull one back in the first half. In the second forty-five minutes, Birkirkara continued where they left as they added another three goals thanks to Kim Parnis, Raina Giusti who completed her hat-trick and Rachel Cuschieri.

Birkirkara were in control of the match throughout the whole ninety minutes. The solitary goal for the Raiders came against the run of play, and it had no impact on Birkirkara's performance, who once again were dominant and played enjoyable football.

Revamping his first-eleven selection, Coach Johann Scicluna had some surprises in the starting line-up, and he sent a clear message of the strong and versatile squad that he enjoys under his guidance.

The First Half

The Stripes, started the match with all guns blazing, and they quickly to put their opponents under pressure. They threatened first on the third minute when in fast break-away, Gabriella Zahra served Alishia Sultana on the right wing, but her shot was parried by goalkeeper Maria Assunta Farrugia.

The Stripes continued to show their complete superiority in the first minutes and on the fourth minute, they hit the post twice in a matter of seconds. Kim Parnis fired a powerful drive from outside the box which smashed across the crossbar and off the rebound, Martina Cilia hit the foot of the post.

However, a minute later, the Stripes were not denied and they surged ahead. Parnis was in action once again when her curling free-kick hit the crossbar. From the rebound, Raina Giusti was in the perfect position to easily deposit the ball past the goalkeeper.

Parnis' free-kicks were proving to be dangerous, and another set-piece taken by her was pushed away with difficulty by goalkeeper Farrugia.

The Stripes continued dominate and it was no surprise that they added the second goal on the fourteenth minute. Raina Giusti was floored inside the box and the referee ordered the penalty. From the spot, the same player converted to score her second personal goal.

On the twentieth minute, Kim Parnis served Charlene Schembri, who drifted inside the area but had her final shot saved by goalkeeper Farrugia.

Raina could have completed her hat-trick on the twenty-sixth minute, when with a thunderous strike from outside the box, the ball smashed against the crossbar.

On the thirty-minute mark, Kim Parnis served Alishia Sultana who drifted inside the box but her weak shot was easily parried by Farrugia.

Just moments later, goalkeeper Farrugia had to produce an excellent save to push away a powerful shot by Kim Parnis, which brought the best out of the Raiders goalkeeper.

Raiders managed to pull one back ten minutes from half-time, when forward Rodianne Zerafa found space to conclude her effort with a low shot, which beat goalkeeper Nina Dimech.

The goal by Raiders could have complicated matters for the Stripes but this was not the case as Birkirkara remained calm and collected. The tireless midfielder, Gabriella Zahra, had a shot turned into a corner kick.

Raina Giusti delivered a first-post free-kick on the forty-first minute, but Kim Parnis' effort from inside the box, went over.

The end of the first half saw the Stripes dominating for long stretches but they only had a on goal lead to show for their efforts, as the score read 2-1.

The Second Half

The Birkirkara Coach made two substitutions at the start of the second half, as he included Rachel Cuschieri and Rebecca Chircop to replace Alishia Sultana and Kirstie Vella.

Six minutes into the second half, Martina Cilia exchanged possession with Cuschieri, who returned the ball. Cilia served Kim Parnis who slotted home from close range.

Being again down by two goals, Raiders were desperate to get back in the match. On the fifty-sixth minute, a long-distance free-kick was parried well by goalkeeper Nina Dimech. Just two minutes later, Janice Spiteri for Raiders had a shot from inside the box ending over.

Twenty minutes in the second half, Raina Giusti served Rachel Cuschieri who tried her luck with a fine shot from outside the box, but it was saved by Farrugia. Hardly a minute later, Cuschieri drifted inside the box and served Kim Parnis but the latter failed to hit the ball, from an ideal position.

Parnis was in action once again on the seventieth minute was she had a powerful strike from outside the box ending over. Two minutes later, Cuschieri also tried her luck with a shot from outside the box, but her effort was saved by the goalkeeper.

In Birkirkara's third substitution, on the seventy-third minute Maryrose Cardona replaced Tara Attard.

The Stripes scored their fourth goal fifteen minutes from the end. Stephania Farrugia sent an excellent through-ball in the path of Rachel Cuschieri, who advanced and easily placed the ball past the helpless goalkeeper.

Just five minutes later, Cuschieri made a dazzling run, before her low shot was blocked by the Raiders' goalkeeper.

Yasmeen Vella replaced Martina Cilia ten minutes from time, in Birkirkara's fourth substitution.

Birkirkara sealed the issue with the fifth goal on the eighty-third minute. Raina Giusti managed to hit home with a first-timer from inside the box, to be rewarded for her excellent performance with a hat-trick.

In a unusual substitution, five minutes from time, regular goalkeeper, Janice Xuereb was included as a forward in Birkirkara's fifth substitution to replace Kim Parnis.

The Stripes continued to control the match and the referee's full time whistle found them collecting their fifth straight win. This win ensured that Birkirkara will go to Tuesday's match as joint-leaders with Hibernians, but the latter have a game in hand.

Birkirkara: Nina Dimech, Charlene Schembri, Alishia Sultana (45' Rachel Cuschieri), Chantal Fenech, Kirstie Vella (45' Rebecca Chircop), Stephania Farrugia, Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis (85' Janice Xuereb) Tara Attard (73' Maryrose Cardona), Martina Cilia (80' Yasmeen Vella), Raina Giusti.

Raiders: Maria Assunta Farrugia, Kathleen Mangion, Madine Agius, Rodianne Zerafa, Amanda Mifsud, Justine Baldacchinho, Nora Agliano, Amanda Atkins, Theresa Briffa, Alison Patiniott, Janice Spiteri.

Yellow Cards: 45' Gabriella Zahra (Birkirkara)

Scorers: 5' Raina Giusti, 14' Raina Giusti, 51' Kim Parnis, 76' Rachel Cuschieri, 83' Raina Giusti (Birkirkara), 35' Rodianne Zerafa (Raiders)

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