Women's Team moves four points clear on top

by Ayrton Galea - 17th November 2016

Birkirkara FC Women's Team moved four points clear on top of the table in the BOV Women's First Division League as a header by the team's captain Stephania Farrugia mid-way through the first-half proved to be the winning goal in a narrow 1-0 victory against the tough side of Kirkop United FC.

With Hibernians losing to Mgarr United on Wednesday evening, the Stripes were all out to make the best out of the situation. Despite being a very balanced contest, as Kirkop United certainly gave a very good account of their constant improvement, the Stripes walked out with maximum points.

The match had a balanced start with Kirkop showing the better ideas in the opening moments but the Stripes settled as time went on. On the fifteenth minute, Raina Giusti cut down to the middle from the left side before had her shot ending wide.

The First Half

The Stripes produced a very neat combination on the twentieth minute mark. Kelly Agius Pace and Raina Giusti exchanged possession before the latter served Agius Pace inside the box but from an ideal position, the Birkirkara forward saw her shot scratching past the far post.

Birkirkara surged ahead on the twenty-fifth minute. Giusti's well-taken corner saw Stephania Farrugia hitting a brilliant header in the net to score her fifth goal from the last four matches. The goal continued to confirm the team's incredible form when it comes to set-pieces.

Kirkop reacted immediately minute later. One of the best players on the night, Liis Pello fired a fierce drive that forced Janice Xuereb to deflect the ball into a corner kick. Ten minutes later, Mariah Sciberras had a shot from distance saved by goalkeeper Dorienne Grech.

Just before the half-time whistle, the Stripes were unlucky not to double their lead. The accuracy in Giusti's corner kicks proved to be the key again as this time, her cross on the second post reached Kim Parnis who had her header smashing against the crossbar. From the rebound, Yasmeen Vella's header ended just over the bar.

The Second Half

Birkirkara started the second half well. Second-half substitute Leanne Micallef, who replaced Kelly Agius Pace for the start of the second half, sprinted forward to collect a fine through-ball but her low shot ended wide by whisker.

The Stripes went close again ten minutes inside the second half. Alishia Sultana sprinted forward to collect a defensive blunder and rounded goalkeeper Grech but her shot ended again.

Minute later, Birkirkara threatened again. It was a solo-action by Raina Giusti that once again saw her dashing to the middle before hitting a wonderful strike that was turned into a corner kick by an excellent save of the alert goalkeeper.

Sarah Urpani, who had just replaced Mariah Sciberras, did well to collect a through-ball by Gabriella Zahra on the hour mark. The promising forward returned the ball to Zahra who hit over from outside the box.

Kirkop put everything forward in the last stages and they went close on scoring a late equaliser. On the stroke of the ninetieth minute, a free-kick from the right found Charlene Cassia unmarked but goalkeeper Janice Xuereb saved the attempt to enable her side to register an impressive seventh consecutive clean-sheet and remains the only team who didn't concede a goal.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Yasmeen Vella, Ann-Marie Said, Stephania Farrugia, Mariah Sciberras (60' Sarah Urpani), Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis, Alishia Sultana, Raina Giusti (90+1' Isabelle Mazzitelli), Tracy Teuma, Kelly Agius Pace (46' Leanne Micallef).

Yellow Cards: 68' Gabriella Zahra, 78' Stephania Farrugia.

Scorers: 25' Stephania Farrugia.

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