Birkirkara bounce back with fine performance

by Ayrton Galea - 16th October 2012

Birkirkara were quick to reply to the criticism of this year's team's potential, following last week's defeat, when thanks to a brilliant performance, they defeated Hibernians with a 3-1 score.

Losing after twenty six matches unbeaten was considered as a big blow to the squad, but the determined players gave a brilliant performance to raise back their title hopes.

Preparing for this match was not an easy task as there were several selection problems. Gabriella Zahra, Isabelle Mazzitelli and Kim Parnis were all doubtful but all managed to do it on time. Stephania Farrugia was the only player missing for ‘The Stripes'.

It was a match of two sides as Birkirkara opened an early two goal lead which shocked Hibernians and left them without any sort of reply. However, in the second half, after Hibernians pulled one back just after thirty seconds, things seemed to complicate themselves for ‘The Stripes', but not only did they manage to defend their goal lead, but added another goal thanks to a direct free-kick.

Choosing the best players from today's match is not easy and probably unfair too as all the players who started and even those that came on as substitutes made a very fine job, but one could say that Gabriella Zahra and Rachel Cuschieri shined for the squad.

The First Half

In the first action of the match on the 4th minute, Kelly Agius Pace had a diagonal shot saved by goalkeeper Cremona.

Off a cross by Gabriella Zahra, Rachel Cuschieri's volley was blocked by the defender.

Birkirkara made their intentions clear as they took an early lead, on the 8th minute. Kelly Agius Pace served Rachel and the latter's powerful shot was too hot for Cremona.

Hibernians had no time to reply as Birkirkara doubled the lead on the 12th minute, when off a fast counter attack by Martina Cilia, the latter served the ball which was taken by Gabriella Zahra, who advanced and easily beat Cremona despite her attempt to save.

Another diagonal shot by Rachel Cuschieri on the 15th minute was saved by the goalkeeper.

The match continued to be one sided and Birkirkara almost made them three on the 25th minute. Rachel Cuschieri dribbled a player and fired a powerful shot which was well saved by Cremona.

Raina who was included as a substitute on the 32nd minute, quickly left her mark and just a minute later, following a solo action, her shot ended wide.

Hibernians' goalkeeper Cremona stopped the danger by coming out and saving the ball on the 38th minute following a fine action.

Hibernians made their first reply on the 39th minute when they were close to pull one back. Following a bad clearance, the Hibernians player anticipated Janice Xuereb who had little options, but the shot ended over the bar.

Birkirkara continued to be the best team in the pitch and Gabriella Zahra had a wonderful shot turned into a corner in difficulty by goalkeeper on the 44th minute. Off the corner kick, following confusion in the box, the Hibernians defender cleared the ball off the goal line.

In the last action of the first half, a direct free-kick for Hibernians ended over by some distance.

The Second Half

Hibernians had the perfect start in the second half and pulled one back after just 30 seconds in the second half when following a solo action, the Hibernians' player Rodianne Borg beat goalkeeper Xuereb.

Despite dominating the whole first half, pressure began to increase on the Birkirkara players as Hibernians raised their momentum in their attempt to equalise. Off a direct free-kick, the ball ended wide.

Birkirkara protested for a red card on the 56th minute when the Hibernians defender who was the last player in the defence harshly fouled Raina Giusti who anticipated the defender. The referee whistled the foul but just cautioned the player.

From the following free-kick, Rachel's powerful drive ended wide by inches with Cremona beaten.

A strange and funny episode took place on the hour mark when Mr. Scicluna called for Rachel to give her fresh instructions. Hibernians' Claire Sciberras kept following the Birkirkara player to hear all the instructions given by the Coach.

Gabriella's header in direction of Isabelle Mazzitelli seemed to go past the defence on the 62nd minute but Cremona came out and eliminated the danger.

Gabriella continued to be a headache for the Hibernians's defence. On the 63rd minute following a solo action she concluded with a shot was blocked by Cremona with the illusion that the ball ended in the net but ended just past the post.

Gabriella, in action once again on the 70th minute with a long distance shot ending wide by inches.

Birkirkara lost a great opportunity on the 72nd minute when Gabriella perfectly served an unmarked Raina Giusti, who shot wide in front of Cremona.

Janice performed a good save on the 75th minute following a long distance shot.

Martina Cilia well served Raina Giusti on the 76th minute but the latter's shot was a bit weak to create problems for Cremona.

Hibernians could not penetrate the Birkirkara's solid defence lead by Kim Parnis in the absence of Farrugia, as despite having the ball in the opposition's half, they could not produce any scoring opportunities.

Rachel Cuschieri produced a wonderful action on the 80th minute rounding no less than five players with her shot being deflected into a corner kick. From the corner kick, a header ended wide.

Raina Giusti's wonderful volley, after having been served by Gabriella, almost hit the top corner on the 81st minute but the ball ended wide by millimetres. It definitely was not Raina's day.

Birkirkara made them three, and removed any doubt of where the three points were going, on the 84th minute thanks to a wonderful direct free-kick by Rachel Cuschieri to score her second goal in the match.

Martina Cilia released Alishia Sultana who went past the defender. Cilia was fouled, and Sultana was in an ideal position but the referee ordered the foul instead of giving the advantage.

Hibernians' last desperate attempt to pull one back came on the 91st minute, from a direct free-kick which ended over.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara bouncing back in style, and climbing to the second position, on level points with the same Hibernians, and three under Mosta who made them three from three after defeating Mgarr.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Isabelle Mazzitelli, Kim Parnis, Yasmeen Vella (Alishia Sultana), Kirstie Vella, Maryrose Cardona, Martina Cilia (Simone Buttigieg), Chantal Fenech, Gabriella Zahra, Rachel Cuschieri, Kelly Agius Pace (Raina Giusti. Dorcas Debono)

Scorers: 8' Rachel Cuschieri, 12' Gabriella Zahra, 84' Rachel Cuschieri (Birkirkara) 45' Rodianne Borg (Hibernians)

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