Women: Birkirkara FC 1-0 Raiders FC

by Ayrton Galea - 22nd February 2018

Birkirkara FC Women's Team are the sole-leaders of the BOV Women's League when yesterday evening, a gem of a goal by the league's top-scorer Raina Giusti four minutes from time earned the Stripes a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Raiders FC.

With Hibernians dropping two precious points on Tuesday evening in a goal-less draw against Kirkop United FC, the Stripes were provided with the perfect opportunity to take sole-leadership for the first time in this league.

However their task proved to be anything than easy. Raiders produced an empathic defensive display that seemed to be stopping Birkirkara's positive run. However, league's top-scorer had other plans as her curling strike from outside the box hit home to erupt the Birkirkara clan in joy.

The First Half

Birkirkara dictated the play and enjoyed large swatches of possession, but they struggled to threaten for goal, with goalkeeper Jodie Attard rarely tested.

The Stripes' best scoring opportunity arrived on the twenty-fifth minute, when Stephania Farrugia connected well to a low free-kick by Gabriella Zahra, but her effort was saved by goalkeeper Attard.

Coach Melania Bajada roped-in Kim Parnis for Sarah Urpani after thirty minutes., with Veronique Mifsud given the nod to lead the attack, as the Birkirkara Coach sought for different ideas in the attacking department.

Late in the first half, Farrugia went close again with a fine header after connecting to a dangerous corner kick taken by Tracy Teuma, but her effort was saved by the alert Attard.

The Second Half

For the start of the second half, Ann-Marie Said replaced Mariah Sciberras. This was the first appearance of Said, following five-weeks ruled-out injured.

Right from the start of the last fourty-five minutes, Birkirkara applied more pressure on their opponents as Raiders were now forced to have all players behind the ball. Gabriella Zahra fired wide from outside the box while Raina Giusti had her low-shot from inside the box saved by Attard.

With time against them, the pressure on the Stripes increased. Coach Melania Bajada included Jelena Sakic off Veronique Mifsud while Stephania Farrugia was advanced in midfield, as the Stripes put everything forward.

However, the Stripes' superiority paid off four minutes from time by notching the winning goal. The It was Raina Giusti who struck a first-time wonderful shot from outside the box that gave goalkeeper Attard no chance. The Birkirkara clan erupted with joy.

Raiders put everything forward in the last minutes, but the Stripes held strong for a vital victory to take sole-leadership for the first time in this league campaign.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Samantha Zarb, Yasmeen Vella, Stephania Farrugia, Mariah Sciberras (46' Ann-Marie Said), Gabriella Zahra, Veronique Mifsud (70' Jelena Sakic), Tracy Teuma, Alishia Sultana, Raina Giusti, Sarah Urpani (30' Kim Parnis).

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