Late Own Goal downs the Stripes

by Ayrton Galea - 17th February 2016

Birkirkara FC Women's Team conceded their third defeat in the BOV Women's First Division League when an unfortunate own goal two minutes from time saw them losing to arch-rivals Hibernians FC with a 3-2 score in an entertaining match.

Hibernians surged ahead on the seventeenth minute when they picked possession and were quick to transfer the ball forward to Martina Borg who advanced and placed a low bottom shot past goalkeeper Janice Xuereb.

The Stripes made a reaction in the last moments of the first-half and they went close twice. First, five minutes from time, Alishia Sultana served Kelly Agius Pace who had her wonderful shot turned into a corner kick by goalkeeper Keoney Demicoli. From the resulting corner, Stephania Farrugia's header hit the woodwork as the first-half ended with Hibernians in a narrow lead.

Birkirkara went out better in the second half and made them level on the fifty-fourth minute. Kelly Agius Pace found Raina Giusti who advanced unmarked and drilled a well-placed shot past goalkeeper Demicoli to restore parity.

However, Hibernians regained the lead twenty minutes inside the second half. Dorianne Theuma delivered an accurate free-kick on the second post that found Jade Flask unmarked with the latter hitting a wonderful strike past goalkeeper Xuereb.

Birkirkara hit back again and made them level on the seventy-fifth minute. Kelly Agius Pace was floored inside the box by Dionne Thumea and the referee ordered the penalty before booking the Hibernians' captain. From the eleven metre spot, Captain Stephania Farrugia made no mistake.

Hibernians notched the winning goal two minutes from time when a long ball by the Paolites saw goalkeeper Janice Xuereb rushing out of her place with the ball hitting a Birkirkara defender before rolling inside the net for late unfortunate own goal and the winning goal for Hibernians.

By this result, Birkirkara remains in the second place, eleven points under leader Hibernians and saw their lead over Mgarr United trimmed to six points, with two direct matches against Mgarr to go.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Oriana Bedingfield, Yasmeen Vella, Stephania Farrugia, Alishia Sultana (Sarah Urpani), Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis, Isabelle Mazzitelli (Mariah Sciberras), Kelly Agius Pace (Samantha Zarb).

Yellow Cards: 74' Dionne Theuma (Hibernians).

Scorers: 54' Raina Giusti, 75' Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara), 17' Martina Borg, 65' Jade Flask, 88' Own Goal (Hibernians).

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