Birkirkara and Gozo U16 Girls share the spoils in eight-goal thriller

by Ayrton Galea - 11th November 2013

Birkirkara Under-16's Girls Team registered their first point in the league when they played in an entertaining eight-goal thriller, and they shared the spoils in a 4-4 draw in a game full of excitement and goals.

The Stripes could have left the Gharghur grounds with the three points as they were enjoying a comfortable a 3-1 score. However, an excellent comeback by Gozo turned the game around to put them in the lead, before the Stripes notched a last second equalizer.

The First Half

The Stripes could hardly have had a better start, as they broke the deadlock after just one minute. Raina Giusti tried her luck with a powerful shot from almost half of the pitch which surprised goalkeeper Melanie Cefai, to put Birkirkara ahead.

The Stripes continued to play offensive football. Raina Giusti headed wide off an inviting throw-in on the second minute, and just four minutes later, the same player had a dangerous strike from outside the box ending over the crossbar.

Gozo tried to settle down after having found themselves one goal down at a very early stage. They created their first scoring opportunity on the ninth minute thanks to a fine shot by Maria Farrugia which ended wide.

Birkirkara produced a fine scoring chance on the tenth minute. Tara Attard made some fine footwork before serving Mariah Sciberras on the run, who anticipated the onrushing goalkeeper, but her effort was cleared into safety by a defender.

The Stripes kept pushing forward, as they were showing the best ideas on the pitch. On the twelfth minute, Mariah Sciberras found space in the box to hit a powerful shot but her central effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Gozo threatened for the equaliser on the fifteenth minute mark as Maria Farrugia hit a powerful strike from long distance which was turned into a corner by goalkeeper Jennifer Galea.

The Stripes were quick to reply. Off a fast break-away, Mariah Sciberras served Raina Giusti who had a powerful strike ending over by inches.

Converting your scoring chances is a key-factor in football. Birkirkara failed to do so, and Gozo managed to grab the equaliser on the eighteenth minute. Maria Farrugia had a fine shot from close range beating goalkeeper Jennifer Galea.

Just five minutes after suffering the goal against the run of the play, the Stripes sought to regain the lead. Raina Giusti showed great skill with an excellent run on the left wing, before serving Mariah Sciberras who was in the perfect position to hit home from close range.

With little time to make any sort of reaction, the first-half found the Stripes leading by the odd goal in three.

The Second Half

Birkirkara kicked off their second half in fashion, as they made them three just after two minutes. Alishia Sultana and Mariah Sciberras made an excellent combination with Sciberras serving Sultana who saw her fine strike beating the goalkeeper.

If the Stripes thought that they could relax with a two-goal lead, they learned a bitter lesson.

Gozo showed great resilience to get back in the match and they narrowed the lead on the thirty-second minute with a diagonal shot by Greta Grima.

The Stripes failed to settle down, and Gozo increased Birkirkara's woes as they equalised hardly a minute later. Maria Farrugia's fine shot failed to be parried by the goalkeeper to earn Gozo the equaliser.

With morale sky-high having equalised, Gozo completed the comeback on the thirty-seventh minute thanks to a wonderful strike from distance thanks to Leanne Cefai.

Birkirkara were stunned. They were now lacking from ideas and struggling to penetrate.

The Stripes made the first reaction on the fortieth minute thanks to Tara Attard who had her powerful shot blocked by the goalkeeper.

In the dying minutes of the match the Stripes were all over their opponents as they sought to equalise. Seven minutes from time, Alishia Sultana served Raina Giusti who had a powerful shot ending over.

The Stripes went close on equalising on the forty-sixth minute as Raina Giusti served an unmarked Tara Attard but after she controlled the ball, the onrushing goalkeeper cleared into safety.

Hardly a minute later, Alishia Sultana had a fine shot ending over.

Just before the fiftieth minute, Raina Giusti had a dangerous powerful free-kick blocked, and off the rebound, the same player saw her effort scratching past the post.

With everything set for the final whistle, it looked like Gozo had snatched the victory, but Birkirkara had other ideas. Two minutes in the added time, Raina Giusti found space in the box and kept her calm when facing the goalkeeper, and easily placed at the back of the net to score a dramatic equaliser.

Gozo had no time for reaction as the referee brought to an end an entertaining match which produced no less than eight goals in just fifty minutes.

Birkirkara: Jennifer Galea, Alexia Galea, Julia Micallef, Alishia Sultana, Tara Attard, Mariah Sciberras (28' Mireille Bellizzi), Raina Giusti.

Gozo: Melanie Cefai, Leanne Cefai, Christiana Theuma, Maria Farrugia, Hayley Sciberras, Yanika Mercieca, Greta Grima.

Scorers: 1' Raina Giusti, 23' Mariah Sciberras, 27' Alishia Sultana, 50+2' Raina Giusti (Birkirkara), 18' Maria Farrugia, 32' Greta Girma, 33' Maria Farrugia, 37' Leanne Cefai (Gozo).

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