Women's team held in a draw by Gozo

by Ayrton Galea - 28th October 2012

A two goals comeback was not enough for Birkirkara to pick up three precious points when they were held by Gozo in an entertaining 3-3 draw.

It was a match of two halves for 'The Stripes' who wasted the first half performing below expectations. However, a good comeback and a strong never-say-die attitude after conceding the third goal earned them a deserved point.

On the other hand, following conceding an early goal, Gozo showed great resilience not to be humiliated and showed a great attitude to hit three past Birkirkara. However, they fell for Birkirkara's strong pressure in the second half.

Birkirkara were a depleted side as several players were missing. Stephania Farrugia and Kelly Agius Pace were ruled out injured while Kirstie Vella and Kim Parnis were missing due to personal commitments.

Birkirkara were coming from a 3-1 victory against Hibernians while Gozo were coming from two consecutive victories over Pembroke Athleta and Hamrun Spartans.

The First Half

Birkirkara made their intentions clear, as they took an early lead. On the 13th minute, Raina Giusti served Rachel Cuschieri whose powerful shot was not held by goalkeeper Mumford to put Birkirkara in the lead.

Janice Xuereb performed a decisive save on the 15th minute. Maria Theuma beat the offside trap despite protests from the Birkirkara side, advanced and all alone against Janice and the latter performed a fine save to deny Gozo from the equalising goal.

However, Gozo managed to equalise just two minutes later. Gozo were awarded a penalty which was well blocked by Janice but Tracy Theuma scored from the rebound.

Isabelle Mazzitelli almost regained Birkirkara's lead but her powerful shot was denied by the crossbar on the 27th minute.

Rachel Cuschieri made a fine solo action on the 32nd minute rounding a player and concluding with a fine shot which was saved by the goalkeeper.

Gozo went ahead on the 38th minute when off a short clearance from a corner kick, Felicienne Mercieca's drive hits home in an empty net.

Rachel Cuschieri's had a fine freekick just before the half time whistle which ended over by inches.

Surprise for many, Birkirkara ended the first half in a 2-1 disadvantage with a below average performance.

The Second Half

What Mr. Johann Scicluna said in the half time was useless as just three minutes in the second half, Gozo made them three. Off a freekick from the right, Ann Marie Said headed home.

With the match now an uphill struggle for 'The Stripes', Mr. Scicluna introduced Simone Buttigieg and Charlene Schembri replacing Raina Giusti and Drocas Debono on the 54th minute.

Rachel Cuschieri was unlucky not to reduce the gap when off a direct freekick on the 56th minute, her effort ended over. Gabriella Zahra fired a powerful shot which was saved by the goalkeeper.

A minute later, Martina Cilia tried her luck with a powerful shot ending wide.

Birkirkara reduced the gap on the 58th minute when Alishia Sultana served Gabriella Zahra whose low shot beat goalkeeper.

The match was once again opened to any outcome, and faith was restored that Birkirkara could somehow salvage something from this game.

Off a freekick by Rachel Cuschieri on the 70th minute, Gabriella's header ended over the bar.

Emma Xuereb almost made them four for Gozo on the 72nd minute with a shot which ended over.

Birkirkara's never say die attitude earned them the equalising goal on the 75th minute when following a corner kick by Rachel Cuschieri, Martina Cilia hits home.

Tracy Theuma for Gozo tried her luck with a diagonal shot ending totally over on the 84th minute.

Simone Buttigieg almost notched the winner for Birkirkara on the 87th minute when her attempt ended wide by inches.

Despite putting everything forward and going all out searching for the winning goal, this was not enough as the referee's full time whistle found Birkirkara dropping the fifth point of the season.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Isabelle Mazzitelli, Chantal Fenech, Yasmeen Vella, Maryrose Cardona, Gabriella Zahra, Martina Cilia, Rachel Cuschieri, Alishia Sultana, Raina Giusti (54' Simone Buttigieg), Dorcas Debono (54' Charlene Schembri).

GOZO: Maryann Mumford, Melania Bajada, Rita Azzopardi, Michelle Zuber, Mady Ann Refalo, Sarah Sultana, Michelle Pace, Felicienne Mercieca, Ann Marie Said, Tracy Theuma, Emma Xuereb.

Scorers: 15' Rachel Cuschieri, 58' Gabriella Zahra, 75' Martina Cilia (Birkirkara), 17' Tracy Theuma, 38' Felicienne Mercieca, 48' Ann Marie Said (Gozo)

Yellow Cards: Tracy Theuma (Gozo)

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi

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