Women's Team beats Mgarr and forces title decider

by Ayrton Galea - 23rd April 2014

Birkirkara FC Women's Team guaranteed themselves a league decider this Friday after Birkirkara and Hibernians ended their league commitments on level points, when on Monday evening they defeated Mgarr United with a 2-1 score.

With Birkirkara defeating Mgarr United and Hibernians trashing Pembroke Athleta with an 8-0 score, a title decider next Friday will be necessary to decide the title issue.

Mr. Johann Scicluna, the Birkirkara Coach, fielded an offensive 4-3-3 formation and he made just one change from last week's first-eleven selection that defeated Gozo, as Kim Parnis replaced Kirstie Vella.

The First Half

Birkirkara went out aggressive, and on the fifth minute Rebecca Chircop stole the ball from a short clearance outside the Mgarr box, and hit a fine strike which ended over.

Rachel Cuschieri made a run on the ninth minute after hitting Mgarr on the counter. Cuschieri served Kim Parnis who saw her in-swinging shot parried by goalkeeper Stephanie Cremona.

On the thirteenth minute, Raina Giusti hit a powerful drive from long distance which was denied by an excellent save by goalkeeper Cremona.

The Mgarr goalkeeper played a protagonist role once again just two minutes later, when she blocked Parnis' strike after being served by Giusti as Birkirkara continued to pile on the pressure.

Birkirkara continued to unzip the Mgarr defence and they remained dominant. On the twentieth minute, Gabriella Zahra served Rachel Cuschieri who had an in-swinger ending over.

The match was being played on a high tempo, with Birkirkara showing the best ideas. However, the resistance of Mgarr was once again being the key-factor that the score was still goal-less.

Mgarr were gaining momentum as time went by, but it was Birkirkara who threatened again. Ten minutes from half time Kim Parnis was left unmarked but she hit wide from inside the box.

Birkirkara took a deep breath seven minutes from half time when they broke the deadlock. Rachel Cuschieri showed great vision to send an excellent cross in the box, with the on-rushing Raina Giusti hitting home with a diagonal strike.

Mgarr were now stunned and they were unable to make a reaction. The first half ended with Birkirkara leading by one.

The Second Half

Five minutes into the second half, Birkirkara conceded the equaliser. Goalkeeper Janice Xuereb failed to parry a free-kick, when Brenda Borg's shot was deflected by Alishia Sultana into her own net.

The Stripes were stunned and went into panic mode as they had only forty minutes to keep their title challenge alive. Close to the hour-mark Mgarr went close with a free-kick which ended over Xuereb's bar.

However, Birkirkara regained their composure, and it was up to them to show their true psychological strength. Just past the hour-mark, Giusti served Rachel Cuschieri who hit an excellent strike but her attempt was turned into a corner by another excellent save by Cremona.

The Stripes threatened again just two minutes later. Gabriella Zahra raced forward on the left wing before having her diagonal shot ending wide by a matter of inches.

A minute later, Martina Cilia delivered a brilliant first-post cross that saw Cuschieri hitting a first-timer that scratched past the upright.

Ten minutes from time, in a well-built action, Cuschieri sent a brilliant second-post cross and Martina Cilia rushed forward and hit a brilliant flying header that scratched past the post.

Chances that Birkirkara would win this match were diminishing. However, Rachel Cuschieri had other thoughts, as five minutes from time, the Birkirkara clan erupted with joy when Cuschieri hit a thunderous drive from distance that surprised Cremona.

Birkirkara were now in the driving seat again and with little time remaining, they defended their narrow lead till the end. The Referee's full-time whistle found Birkirkara forcing a decider and they are now ninety minutes away from their third consecutive title.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Yasmeen Vella, Stephania Farrugia, Kelly Agius Pace, Alishia Sultana, Rebecca Chircop, Gabriella Zahra, Martina Cilia, Kim Parnis, Rachel Cuschieri, Raina Giusti.

Yellow Cards: Kim Parnis

Scorers: 38' Raina Giusti, 85' Rachel Cuschieri.

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