U16 Girls lose knockout final

by Ayrton Galea - 20th May 2013

A solitary goal just before the end of the first time saw Birkirkara being beaten by Mosta in the Under 16's Women knockout in a balanced match.

Mosta played better football and they were deserved winners. On the other hand, the Stripes had some good moments when they created scoring opportunities but Mosta still enjoyed a slight edge for most of the time.

However, not everything was a disappointment for Birkirkara. Goalkeeper Janice Xuereb surely caught the eye of those present as a series of brilliant saves denied the Blues from more goals.

The match had a balanced opening although Mosta become slightly more aggressive as time went by.

The Blues went close in their first scoring opportunity. On the tenth minute, following a corner from the left, Annmarie was denied from the opening goal when her header hit the crossbar.

Birkirkara created the first scoring opportunity on the fifteenth minute when Raina Giusti tried her luck with a direct long distance free-kick which ended wide.

On the 16th minute, the Blues went near once again. Shona Zammit performed a solo-action which she concluded with a powerful shot which was well blocked by Janice Xuereb.

Birkirkara created their best chance of the match on the 20th minute. Hard-worker Alishia Sultana performed a great run on the left, before serving unmarked Mariah Sciberras who was in an ideal position but her shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

The match continued to evolve in a tug-of-war for the opening goal. On the 24th minute, Janice Xuereb had to perform another amazing save to deny Shona Zammit once again from taking the lead.

However, Janice Xuereb, could do nothing just one minute later when Mosta took the lead with a powerful shot by the same Shona Zammit.

With Birkirkara having no time to react, the first half ended with the Blues enjoying a one-goal lead.

Four minutes in the second half, Mosta had a great chance to double the lead. Following a fast break-away, Annmarie Muscat served Jade Flask who was all alone against the goalkeeper. Janice made a fine outing to block Flask's effort.

Janice Xuereb was excellent in two quick actions. On the 36 minutes, Janice denied Shona Zammit in a one against one action and seconds later, she denied Annmarie with a great save following a powerful freekick.

Xuereb continued to confirm her excellent performance just two minutes later with yet another great save denying Jade Flask's effort with a diagonal shot.

On the 40th minute Kelly Groves for Birkirkara had a fine shot saved by the goalkeeper.

Four minutes from time, Annmarie for Mosta went close with a powerful shot ending wide.

Jade Flask hit over from close range on the 49th minute in the last action of the match to see the Blues U16 girls team clinching the double for this season as they have already won the league just a few weeks ago.

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