Birkirkara Women's team hit seven past Pembroke

by Ayrton Galea - 6th March 2013

Birkirkara Women's Team registered their fourth consecutive victory when they performed a superb performance to trash Pembroke hitting seven past them, with no reply.

After Mosta and Hibernians shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in the top of the table clash, Birkirkara needed to do their utmost to keep the pace with the leaders and the Stripes managed to do this in a brilliant way.

Dominating from start till finish, the Stripes confirmed that they are well prepared for the second phase of the title where matches will become crucial and points will become decisive. After netting three goals in the first half to make sure out of the precious three points, Birkirkara remained clearly the dominating side and managed to add another four goals to round off a simply magnificent performance.

Starting the match with the strong wind blowing in their favour, the Stripes made the best out of the situation as they continuously were trying shots on goal to keep Pembroke under pressure and in their own half. After building a three-goal lead in the first half, a confident Birkirkara side continued to play attractive football which enabled it to register a big victory. On the other hand, Pembroke were too out-classed to take anything from the match.

Mr. Johann Scicluna kept faith in last week's starting eleven as he made no changes in the starting line-up. Alishia Sultana was still suspended after she received a two-match ban following being sent off against Tarxien. Martina Cilia, Kelly Groves and Rachel Cuschieri were all missing for the Stripes.

The First Half

With the wind blowing in their favour, the Stripes came out as aggressive as possible, searching for an early goal and they pushed Pembroke in their own half, consistently defending the numerous Birkirkara's attacks.

After just two minutes, Raina Giusti had a shot from outside the box saved by goalkeeper Rose Marie Baldacchino. Just a minute later, Kim Parnis tried one of her long distance free-kicks which ended over the bar.

On the fifth minute, Stephania Farrugia had a powerful free-kick from the back saved by Baldacchino. Just seconds later, Kirstie Vella had a powerful shot blocked by a defender and turned into a corner kick.

Birkirkara who were still eager and hunting for the first goal remained very aggressive and this seemed to be too much for their opponents who hardly managed to leave their own half pitch.

On the 11th minute, Raina Giusti served a deadly through-ball but a Pembroke defender was in the right place to clear the danger.

Pembroke could not hold for much longer and Birkirkara deservingly broke the deadlock. On the 12th minute, Isabelle Mazzitelli served Kim Parnis inside the box, and her powerful first-timer effort gave goalkeeper Baldacchino no chance.

On the quarter of hour mark, Kim Parnis had a low shot saved by the goalkeeper.

Gabriella Zahra fired a powerful long-range shot on the 17th minute which could have surprised the goalkeeper, but Baldacchino saved well. Just two minutes later, the same player had a long distance shot ending wide.

In an isolated attack for Pembroke on the 20th minute, Amber Grech had a fine low shot saved by goalkeeper Janice Xuereb, who till that moment had hardly touched the ball.

Birkirkara made them two on the 21st minute when they scored an absolute screamer. Stephania Farrugia who had just passed the middle of the field caught the goalkeeper out of her position and scored from a wonderful lob to double Birkirkara's lead.

On the 22nd minute, Gabriella Zahra had a long distance shot saved by the goalkeeper. Just one minute later, Raina Giusti also tried her luck with a long distance shot which ended wide.

After 25 minutes of play, Kim Parnis had a powerful long distance volley which was turned into a corner with difficulty by the goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, Birkirkara threatened for the third goal. Gabriella Zahra's shot was not held by the goalkeeper and Maryrose Cardona rushed in for the rebound but her effort was blocked by Baldacchino.

Gabriella Zahra's long range effort ended wide on the 29th minute, and two minutes later Raina's long distance shot, both ended wide.

On the 35th minute, Raina was involved in action once again when she had a shot saved by the goalkeeper.

Birkirkara increased the lead on the 36th minute. Off a corner by Raina Giusti, Kim Parnis anticipated goalkeeper Baldacchino and headed home for her second personal goal.

In the last action before the half time, Raina sent a fine through ball in direction of Maryrose Cardona but the goalkeeper rushed out and neutralised the danger.

The Second Half

In the half time interval, Kelly Agius Pace replaced Charlene Schembri.

With confidence sky high having a three goal lead, Birkirkara did not take long to increase the lead as on the 51st minute they made them four. Gabriella Zahra served Simone Buttigieg who had her first attempt blocked by the goalkeeper, but off the rebound, the youngster made no mistake to score her first goal this season.

Shortly after, Kelly Agius Pace went into the action as she was included as a substitute. Ten minutes in the second half, following a fine through ball by Raina Giusti, Kelly advanced and had an attempt on goal. However, her effort was blocked by the goalkeeper and deflected by Kelly, which ended into a goal kick for the opponents. Two minutes later, Kim Parnis had a long distance shot saved by Baldacchino.

Birkirkara made them five on the 58th minute when Gabriella Zahra's vicious shot from long distance gave no chance to Baldacchino.

On the 63rd minute, Raina Giusti had a shot saved by Baldacchino.

In Birkirkara's second substitution on the 64th minute, Sacha Camilleri was included off Maryrose Cardona.

Pembroke went close to pull one back on the 66 minute when Amber Grech fired a fine shot which scratched past the post.

On the 73rd minute, Birkirkara increased the lead further as they scored the sixth goal. Kelly Agius Pace was floored inside the box and the referee ordered a penalty kick. From the eleven metres, Raina's powerful shot beat Baldacchino.

Kim Simler replaced Raina Giusti just a few seconds later and Alexia Scicluna replaced Yasmeen Vella on the 78th minute.

Birkirkara sealed the issue with the seventh and final goal when Kelly Agius Pace made a great run on the right wing before serving unmarked Kim Simler who powerfully slotted home to also score her first goal this season.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Stephania Farrugia, Yasmeen Vella (78' Alexia Scicluna), Maryrose Cardona (64' Sacha Camilleri), Simone Buttigieg, Raina Giusti (73' Kim Simler), Kim Parnis, Gabriella Zahra, Charlene Schembri (45' Kelly Agius Pace), Isabelle Mazzitelli.

PEMBROKE: Rose Marie Baldacchino, Sarah Caruana, Anabelle Rapa, Sarah Cassar, Monique Sultana, Leanne Micallef, Amber Grech, Cassandra Camilleri, Martina Borg, Thiesa Scicluna, Otillia Debattista.

Scorers: 12' Kim Parnis, 21' Stephania Farrugia, 36' Kim Parnis, 51' Simone Buttigieg, 58' Gabriella Zahra, 73' Raina Giusti, 87' Kim Simler.

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