Girls Under-16's eliminated from Knockout

by Ayrton Galea - 5th May 2014

Birkirkara Girls Under-16's gave an outstanding performance, but it was not enough to make it through to the final of the Under-16's Knockout, when in a balanced match, they were defeated 1-0 by Mgarr United.

It was a harsh score for the Stripes who played their hearts out, against the newly crowned Champions. Birkirkara played an excellent match and they defended brilliantly, led by Tara Attard who had a superb performance at the back. However, a goal by Brenda Borg two minutes inside the second half was enough for Mgarr to advance to the final as Birkirkara's efforts were denied by a five-star performance by the Mgarr goalkeeper whose skills caught the eye of everyone present.

Birkirkara started on a positive note and on the third minute, Raina Giusti had a shot blocked by a defender which was turned into a corner kick. Mgarr replied by almost surging ahead. It had to be Alexia Galea's last second clearance off the goal line to deny Mgarr the lead.

Raina Giusti was unlucky twice in the space of just one minute. On the tenth minute she had a fine drive denied by an excellent save of the goalkeeper. Just a minute later, the same player saw her effort blocked by the goalkeeper, and off the rebound, Mariah Sciberras saw her header also parried by the alert keeper.

Mgarr also had their chance of surging ahead, on the sixteenth minute, but goalkeeper Jennifer Galea made a fine save on Nicole Cutajar's effort.

In the second half, Mgarr increased their efforts. Just two minutes in, Brenda Borg hit a fine shot from inside the box to put Mgarr in the lead.

Birkirkara made a reaction on the half hour and Giusti attempt was blocked in two attempts as the goalkeeper continued to play an excellent role in keeping a clean-sheet. Six minutes later the same player had a free-kick saved by the goalkeeper.

Ten minutes from time, Birkirkara were unlucky not to equalise when Tara Attard had her deflected shot hitting the crossbar. Mgarr were also denied by the crossbar off a powerful strike from distance.

This elimination brought to an end the Girls Under-16's season. Despite no trophies being won, a bright future is waiting for the squad with some of them already finding their place in the Senior Women's Team, while others are knocking on the door to take the next step.

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