Women's Team succumb to Mgarr United

by Ayrton Galea - 4th February 2015

Birkirkara FC Women's Team were defeated in the BOV Women's League, when yesterday, in a match characterised by strong winds, Mgarr United scored twice in three minutes to beat the Stripes 2-1.

In a match of two tales, which saw the Stripes dominating the first half and creating a host of goal scoring chances, Mgarr scored twice in the space of three minutes, to inflict the first defeat on the Stripes, who only managed to pull one back one minute from added time.

The Stripes are now laying three points under Hibernians. Yesterday Hibernians found no challenge in Pembroke Athleta, who were once again humiliated, this time with an even bigger score, of 7-0. The Stripes will face Hibernians in two weeks' time, but first, they have to face Raiders FC.

Coach Johann Scicluna made just one change from the resounding 5-0 victory over Pembroke, as Maryrose Cardona recovered in time, and she regained her first-eleven selection, at the cost of Kirstie Vella. Alishia Sultana was back from suspension.

The 4-1-3-2 formation featured Xuereb defending the posts, with Parnis and Chircop forming the central-backs supported by Vella and Cardona who patrolled the side-backs. Bajada took her usual role in front of the defence, while the midfield trio was composed of Zahra, Farrugia and Cilia, with the latter roaming behind forwards Agius Pace and Giusti.

The First Half

The Stripes created their first scoring opportunity after eight minutes. Served from a throw-in, Kelly Agius Pace did well to drift inside the box but her left-footed shot ended over. A minute later, Kim Parnis had a fine shot saved by goalkeeper Stephanie Cremona.

Birkirkara remained in control in the opening stages of the match. They went close on the twentieth minute, when off a short-cleared ball, Raina Giusti had a fierce strike scratching past the post. Four minutes later, Gabriella Zahra was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a direct free-kick.

With the wind blowing strong, the match turned into a drab encounter. The Stripes enjoyed the lion's share of possession but they could not find the way through. Mgarr, led in the defence by the veteran Rebecca D'Agostino, were giving an excellent defensive display.

The Stripes created their best opportunity seven minutes from half-time. Gabriella Zahra unzipped the defence with a perfect pass in the path of Kelly Agius Pace, who showed great skill to drift inside the box, but her shot was turned into a corner-kick by goalkeeper Cremona.

Birkirkara tried their last efforts, with the wind blowing in their favour, but Mgarr held strong to go to their dressing room with a goal-less draw.

The Second Half

Coach Johann Scicluna utilised his first substitution just five minutes into the second half, when Melania Bajada was replaced with Alishia Sultana. Sultana joined Agius Pace and Giusti in the forward-line, and the team shifted to a 4-3-3 formation.

However, Birkirkara's aspirations suffered a set-back on the hour mark, when Mgarr surged ahead. Following a free-kick from the left, Brenda Borg raised unmarked, to hit a bullet header past the Birkirkara goalkeeper, Janice Xuereb.

The Stripes were now unsettled and their woes increased just three minutes later when Mgarr doubled their lead. Birkirkara lost possession from a free-kick and Mgarr were quick to deliver the ball forward, where the Mgarr forward had her first shot blocked but from a few yards out, Isabelle Mazzittelli found no problem in hitting home.

Being two goals down, the Birkirkara Coach threw everything forward. Kim Parnis was now advanced to a forward position while substitute Sultana was deployed as a winger. The Stripes were now attacking with no less than five players when in possession but nothing seemed to go their way.

Fifteen minutes from time, Coach Johann Scicluna was sent off by the referee, for passing some remarks in the direction of the same referee.

The Stripes pulled one back, one minute on added time. Martina Cilia hit a wonderful shot from distance that gave goalkeeper Cremona no chance.

Birkirkara tried their last efforts, but their hopes were cut short by the referee's full time whistle. The Stripes will be involved in another crucial match on Tuesday, when they take on Raiders FC.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Yasmeen Vella, Rebecca Chircop, Kim Parnis, Maryrose Cardona, Melania Bajada (50' Alishia Sultana), Stephania Farrugia, Gabriella Zahra, Martina Cilia, Raina Giusti, Kelly Agius Pace.

MGARR: Stephanie Cremona, Rebecca D'Agostino, Nicole Cutajar, Antionette Sammut, Natasha Pace, Abigail Camilleri, Brenda Borg, Jasmine Vella Turner, Yanika Fenech, Nicole Buttigieg, Isabelle Mazzitelli.

Scorers: 90+1' Martina Cilia (Birkirkara), 60' Brenda Borg, 63' Isabelle Mazzitelli (Mgarr).

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