UWCL: Birkirkara FC 2-7 Wexford Youths FC

by Ayrton Galea - 15th August 2019

Birkirkara FC finished their commitments in the UEFA Women's Champions League on a disappointing note, as they fell to a heavy defeat with a 7-2 score against Wexford Youths FC.

Encouraged by their first two positive performances, the Stripes produced another resilient display as they scored a goal in each half, but three goals in the last twenty-two minutes shattered their hopes of finishing the group with any points.

With Veronique Mifsud suspended, Coach Melania Bajada was forced to make one change as the Birkirkara Coach gave the nod to Gabriella Zahra who made her return following a one-year absence.

The First Half

Wexford went close to take an early lead, but defender Yasmeen Vella was alert to clear the ball off the goal-line.

On the other side of the pitch, in a fast break-away by the Stripes, Raina Giusti did a brilliant run on the left flank, but her shot was saved by goalkeeper Ciamh Dollard.

The Irish side opened a two-goal lead just past the half-hour mark. Kylie Murphy headed home from a corner-kick and three minutes later Mckenna Davidson drilled home a low shot.

The Stripes pulled one back just before the half-time whistle. Willis supplied an excellent through-ball to Giusti and the Birkirkara rapid-forward hit a fine strike past Dollard.

The Second Half

Wexford made them three eight minutes inside the second half when following a great run by Rianna Jerrett, Edel Kennedy slotted home in style from close-range.

They continued to dictate matters and added another goal just past the hour mark when Murphy managed to get past the Birkirkara defence to head home from another corner.

However, the Stripes showed resilience and got back in the match with their second goal when Ylenia Carabott profited from a goalkeeper blunder to reduce the gap.

The Stripes' hopes of getting something from the match were shattered on the sixty-eighth minute as Murphy completed her hat-trick with a long-distance strike that surprised Xuereb.

The Irish side was now in total control and added further gloss on their victory with two late goals by Rianna Jarrett and a wonderful direct free-kick by Ciara Rossiter.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Gabriella Zahra (62' Samantha Zarb), Ann-Marie Said, Stephania Farrugia, Tracy Teuma, Alishia Sultana (87' Michela Felice), Kailey Willis (80' Mariah Sciberras), Raina Giusti, Yasmeen Vella, Ylenia Carabott, Jelena Sakic.

WEXFORD: Ciamh Dollard, Aoife Slattery, Lauren Dwyer (69' Vanessa Ogbonna), Kylie Murphy, Rebekah Cassin, Edel Kennedy, Lauren Kelly (64' Katrina Parrock), Mckenna Davidson (80' Fiona Ryan), Ciara Rossiter, Nicola Sinnott, Rianna Jarrett.

Yellow Cards: None.

Scorers: 44' Raina Giusti, 63' Ylenia Carabott (Birkirkara), 32', 61', 68' Kylie Murphy, 35' Mckenna Davidson, 53' Edel Kennedy, 85' Rianna Jarrett, 90+1' Ciara Rossiter.

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