Women's Team starts league on a positive note

by Ayrton Galea - 10th September 2013

Birkirkara had a positive start in their bid of defending the title as a drastically improved performance in the second half earned them a 3-0 victory over Pembroke Athletha in the BOV Women's First Division League.

Birkirkara's evening was turning out to be a frustrating one as they could not find the opening goal in the first half, although dominating for long stretches. However, the half-time team-talk was inspirational as the Champions showed great attitude and improvement. They scored an early goal in the second half to take the match in their hands and they added another two goals before the final whistle.

This was a morale booster after last Wednesday's match, and now they will be seeking to extend their unbeaten run of nineteen league matches.

Coach Mr. Johann Scicluna reshuffled his first-eleven selection following last Wednesday's defeat. He replaced Gabriella Zahra, who once again was not in the best condition, Yasmeen Vella and Kirstie Vella, and their place was taken by Tara Attard, Sacha Camilleri and Charlene Schembri.

The First Half

Birkirkara were eager to make a solid statement of their aspirations for this league, and they went out aggressive as they searched for an early opener.

The Stripes created their first scoring opportunity after just two minutes. Rachel Cuschieri gave an excellent corner kick which was met with a header by Kim Parnis but her effort was blocked and cleared into safety.

Birkirkara were once again on the attack past the sixth minute mark. From a diagonal free-kick, Rachel Cuschieri sent a fine cross, which was deflected by Alishia Sultana. Stephania Farrugia had an attempt on goal which was cleared by goalkeeper Rose Marie Baldacchino.

Sacha Camilleri had a low shot saved by goalkeeper Baldacchino on the 12th minute. Three minutes later, the same player had another scoring opportunity as she tried her luck with a diagonal shot which was saved by the goalkeeper in two attempts.

The Stripes continued to pile-up pressure as they created another scoring opportunity on the 16th minute. Kelly Agius Pace tried her luck with a long distance shot which was saved without particular difficulty by goalkeeper Baldacchino.

Despite Birkirkara's aggressiveness to surge ahead early in the match, they found a tactically organised opponents which were defending well.

The Stripes were unlucky not to surge ahead on the 21st minute as Kelly Agius Pace performed an excellent solo action and she concluded with a fine shot which beat the goalkeeper but not the woodwork. The ball hit the post and was cleared into safety by the Pembroke's defender.

Two minutes later, Rachel Cuschieri sent a fine through ball in the direction of Charlene Schembri on the right wing her the pass was too long for Schembri and goalkeeper Baldacchino eliminated the danger.

The Stripes were finding it hard to penetrate. Pembroke were showing great resilience at the back as they were having a solid and concentrated rear-guard to deny the Stripes from dominating.

In fact, Pembroke deserve credits for an excellent thirty minutes as not only were they defending bravely, but they were continuously looking to launch their counter-attacks.

Coach Scicluna made a double substitution on the 35th minute, as he included Raina Giusti and Gabriella Zahra instead of Alishia Sultana and Charlene Schembri.

Five minutes from the end of the first half, Kim Parnis tried to surprise goalkeeper Baldacchino with a long distance drive, she saved without difficulty.

The first half ended in a goal-less draw.

The Second Half

Motivated by the half-time team talk while given fresh instructions for the second forty-five minutes, the Stripes increased their rhythm.

For the second half, Coach Mr. Scicluna introduced Maryrose Cardona to take place of Rebecca Chircop.

Birkirkara could not have a better start to the second half, as they surged ahead after just one minute. Rachel Cuschieri made an excellent action before concluding her attempt with a wonderful shot which hit hard past the goalkeeper to put the Stripes ahead.

This was what the Stripes needed as they now gained a complete edge over their opponents, and they had two consecutive opportunities where they could have doubled the lead.

First, a fine through ball in the direction of Raina Giusti who found herself in an ideal position but goalkeeper Baldacchino rushed out to avert the danger. Just moments later, Kelly Agius Pace had a golden opportunity to double the lead but she opted to pass instead of shooting, and Pembroke's rear-guard cleared to safety.

After having suffered a goal Pembroke decreased their level as they were now giving in to the pressure. The Stripes continued to dominate the match, but Pembroke did not give up completely and they were making an effort to get back in the match.

Close to the hour mark, Kim Parnis served Kelly Agius Pace whose over-head kick ended over.

Mr. Scicluna performed his fourth change on the 62nd minute as he withdrew Sacha Camilleri and he included Simone Buttigieg.

Twenty minutes in the second half, substitute Raina Giusti produced a long-distance drive which ended over.

The Stripes doubled the lead on the 67th minute. Rachel Cuschieri took a perfect corner which saw Martina Cilia rising high to hit a powerful header which beat the goalkeeper.

Rachel Cuschieri almost made them three for the Stripes on the 75th minute with a wonderful drive from outside the box, which was turned into a corner by goalkeeper Baldacchino.

Coach Mr. Scicluna made his fifth and last change on the 81st minute as he included Alexia Scicluna to replace Kelly Agius Pace.

The Stripes made them three on the 83rd minute. Rachel Cuschieri received an excellent pass before advancing and easily slotting the ball past goalkeeper Baldacchino to score her second personal goal.

Goalkeeper Janice Xuereb came into action for the first time in the match five minutes from the end by making an easy save following a shot from outside the box.

The full time whistle found the Champions starting their title defence with a victory over Pembroke thanks to a much improved performance in the second half.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Alishia Sultana (35' Raina Giusti), Tara Attard, Kim Parnis, Stephania Farrugia, Charlene Schembri (35' Gabriella Zahra), Kelly Agius Pace (81' Alexia Scicluna), Sacha Camilleri (62' Simone Buttigieg), Rachel Cuschieri, Rebecca Chircop (45' Maryrose Cardona), Martina Cilia.

PEMBROKE: Rose Marie Baldacchino, Monique Sultana, Leanne Micallef, Amber Grech, Lorna Cassar, Rodianne Borg, Sarah Caruana, Sonia Schembri, Ottila Debattista, Sarah Cassar.

Scorers: 46' Rachel Cuschieri, 67' Martina Cilia, 83' Rachel Cuschieri.

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