Under-16's Girls share the spoils with Pembroke

by Ayrton Galea - 4th March 2014

Birkirkara Girls Under-16's played their hearts out to give the best performance of the season on Sunday afternoon, but they could only earn a point in an entertaining match, that produced a four-goal thriller with a final score of 2-2.

With goalkeeper Jennifer Galea missing, Birkirkara Coach Mr. Johann Scicluna had to rely on player Anthea Enriquez to take her place.

Birkirkara were leading twice in the match but Pembroke managed to deny them with a goal five minutes from time. Raina Giusti scored the two goals for Birkirkara and she is now the top scorer of the Girls Under-16's League.

The First Half

Birkirkara started the match brightly and they threatened after just two minutes. Raina Giusti had a free-kick blocked by the wall, and off the rebound, the same player saw her strike from inside the box ending wide.

Raina Giusti was involved in action once again on the eighth minute. The promising player threatened again by a brilliant free-kick was turned into a corner kick by the Pembroke goalkeeper, Nicole Mifsud. From the corner kick, Raina headed wide.

Raina seemed to be creating countless problems to Pembroke's rearguard, as on the thirteenth minute, she put Birkirkara ahead. Following an excellent run on the left flank, she kept calm to place the ball past goalkeeper Mifusd.

Birkirkara had now gained momentum and just two minutes after surging ahead, they almost doubled their lead. Mariah Sciberras caught goalkeeper Nicole Mifsud out of position, but the latter showed great reflexes to deny the Birkirkara forward with an excellent save.

Pembroke sought to make a reaction, but Birkirkara maintained the pressure well, and the first half ended with the Stripes leading by one.

The Second Half

Birkirkara once again managed to assume possession in the early moments of the half, and they were quick to threaten. Two minutes inside the second half, Raina had a fine shot saved by goalkeeper Nicole Mifsud.

Three minutes later, Raina was once again in action, as this time she served Mariah Sciberras with the latter having her shot scratching past the post.

Birkirkara were playing better football, but it was Pembroke who managed to level the score. On the thirthy-sixth minute, Rossella D'Antuono managed to hit a low strike that ended past the goalkeeper Anthea Enriquez.

Pembroke's joy of having levelled the score, did not last much, as Raina Giusti put Birkirkara ahead on the forty-first minute. The referee adjudicated a foul inside the box, and from the spot, Raina put the ball on one side and goalkeeper on the other to regain Birkirkara's lead.

However, there was more drama in store as Pembroke managed to equalise five minutes from time, when Rodiana Borg hit a powerful strike from close range to earn Pembroke a precious point, in their aspirations of securing the title while denying the Stripes precious deserved points.

BIRKIRKARA: Anthea Enriquez, Alexia Galea (42' Sarah Urpani), Tara Attard, Alishia Sultana, Mariah Sciberras, Naomi Mizzi, Raina Giusti.

PEMBROKE: Nicole Mifsud, Leona Vella (35' Daniela Camilleri), Rossella D'Antuono, Rodiana Borg, Rebecca Zammit, Leanne Micallef, Darya Attard.

Scorers: 13' Raina Giusti, 51' Raina Giusti (Birkirkara), 36' Rossella D'Antuono, 45' Rodiana Borg (Pembroke).

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