Women's Team beats Hibernians in the top of the table clash

by Ayrton Galea - 24th January 2014

Birkirkara Women's Team gave a superb performance to take the top position of the BOV Women's First Division league, when last Tuesday, in the top of the table clash, they outclassed Hibernians and emerged victorious with a score of 2-0.

Birkirkara made a bold statement that they are far from being out of the challenge of the BOV Women's First Division League title. They showed total superiority to their main challengers for the title, and brought to an end their winning streak, with a well-deserved victory thanks to a goal in each half.

Tactically perfectly organised, Birkirkara enjoyed a clear edge over their opponents for long stretches. Rachel Cuschieri was Birkirkara's hero as she scored the two important goals.

Choosing the best player of the match would be a difficult task, as the team effort's put in the match was the key-factor behind this win.

The first round defeat at the hands of the Paolites certainly put pressure on the Maltese Champions, who could not afford a second direct clash defeat. They took the opportunity to give a five-star performance, which inflicted Hibernians' first defeat of the season.

Mr. Johann Scicluna fielded his best formation as he enjoyed a full-squad disposal and he opted for a 4-1-3-2 formation. Stephania Farrugia and Rebecca Chircop were the central backs while Kelly Agius Pace and Alishia Sultana patrolling the side backs. Rachel Cuschieri, Gabriella Zahra and Kim Parnis composed the midfield department, continually helped by the defensive-midfielder, Chantal Fenech. Raina Giusti and Martina Cilia were the Birkirkara forwards on the day.

 
The First Half

The early minutes were already showing signs of Birkirkara's superiority, due to the tactical organisation showed by them.

The Stripes were playing more flowing football, and they showed clear intentions right from the start. They had a golden chance to surge ahead on the eleventh minute. Rachel Cuschieri won possession and served Raina Giusti who sent the ball to Martina Cilia, who all alone against the Hibernians goalkeeper, Keoney Demicoli, saw her attempt ending wide.

Birkirkara continued to be the most aggressive side, and hardly a minute later, they threatened again. Alishia Sultana showed great skill to penetrate on the left wing before serving Cuschieri who had a dangerous strike ending over.

Hibernians replied with their first scoring opportunity on the thirteenth minute. The prolific striker, Ylenia Carabott, advanced before trying her luck with a powerful shot from outside the box, but it was easily parried by the Birkirkara goalkeeper, Janice Xuereb.

Mid-way through the first half, Birkirkara created another scoring opportunity, when Martina Cilia served Rachel Cuschieri, who had a brilliant in-swinging shot scratching past the far post.

On the half-hour mark, Cilia was in action once again. This time she sent a fine pass in the direction of Raina Giusti, who advanced and had a shot from inside the box saved by Demicoli in two attempts.

Mr. Johann Scicluna effected his first substitution, as he sought to increase the work-rate in his midfield department. On the thirty-second minute, Maryrose Cardona replaced the veteran player, Chantal Fenech.

The Stripes continued to produce the best football between the two sides and their pressing was being a torment for the Hibernians' rearguard, which led to the opening goal on the thirty-seventh minute.

Kim Parnis was pressing aggressively, and a Hibernians defender tried to desperately clear the ball into safety. The ball hit Parnis and it fell in the path of Rachel Cuschieri, who advanced and unleashed a powerful strike, which hit hard past goalkeeper Demicoli.

The Maltese Champions could have doubled their lead just two minutes before half-time. A powerful drop-kick by goalkeeper Xuereb, failed to be cleared by the Hibernians defenders. The ball ended in the path of Raina Giusti, who served Rachel Cuschieri, but from an ideal position her strike scratched past the post.

The referee's half-time whistle found Birkirkara enjoying a one goal lead at the break, and they headed to the dressing-room satisfied by the way that managed to outclass their opponents.

The Second Half

Mr. Johann Scicluna, the Birkirkara Coach, must have insisted with his girls to convert their superiority into goals in the half-time. Just one minute into the second half, they obliged, as the Stripes doubled the lead.

In a break-away by Raina Giusti, she advanced and served Rachel Cuschieri on the left wing. The goalkeeper was caught out of position and Cuschieri's brilliant cross-shot ended at the back of the net, to put Birkirkara's two goals up.

Hibernians were shocked, as they suffered a major set-back in their hopes of getting something out of this match. Team captain Dionne Tonna tried a desperate attempt from outside the box on the fifty-first minute, which ended totally wide.

Fresh from scoring her second personal goal, Rachel Cuschieri was on fire. Ten minutes into the second half, she had a powerful shot saved excellently by goalkeeper Demicoli, to deny her from completing her hat-trick.

Hibernians striker, Ylenia Carabott, who was being strictly marked by the Birkirkara defenders, was struggling to penetrate Birkirkara's rearguard. She tried her luck with a shot from outside the box, which turned to be a routine save for goalkeeper Janice Xuereb.

With two goals up, Birkirkara Coach was focusing on defending his lead, rather than to continue adding to Hibernians' woes, and on the sixty-second minute he withdrew forward Martina Cilia and introduced defender Kirstie Vella.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Birkirkara threatened again when Kim Parnis had a powerful free-kick from distance parried by goalkeeper Demicoli.

Birkirkara had the illusion of goal on the seventy-seventh minute. Raina Giusti's strike hit past goalkeeper Demicoli, but her celebrations were cut short as the referee ruled out the goal for an offside position, amidst some controversy.

In Birkirkara's third substitution on the seventy-eight minute, Yasmeen Vella replaced the tireless utility player, Alishia Sultana.

Birkirkara continued their assault. On the eighty-fourth minute, Rachel Cuschieri once again went close to completing her hat-trick when she had a shot blocked by goalkeeper Demicoli.

Forward Raina Giusti, who had a good match, was replaced by Charlene Schembri on the eighty-fifth minute.

Hibernians went close to narrowing the gap two minutes from time, when Dorianne Theuma's strike hit the crossbar.

In the last change for Birkirkara, Charlene Schembri was replaced by Tara Attard on the ninetieth minute.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara inflicting Hibernians' first defeat to end their winning streak. Birkirkara are now the new sole leaders of the BOV Women's First Division League three points over Hibernians, but the latter have a game in hand.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Alishia Sultana (78' Yasmeen Vella), Rebecca Chircop, Stephania Farrugia, Kelly Agius Pace, Chantal Fenech (32' Maryrose Cardona), Gabriella Zahra, Rachel Cuschieri, Kim Parnis, Martina Cilia (62' Kirstie Vella), Raina Giusti (85' Charlene Schembri) (89' Tara Attard).

HIBERNIANS: Keoney Demicoli, Mandy Debono, Claire Sciberras, Charlene Zammit, Sherianne Zammit, Martina Borg, Francesca Chircop, Annmarie Muscat, Dorianne Theuma, Dionne Theuma, Ylenia Carabott.

Yellow Cards: Kelly Agius Pace (Birkirkara).

Scorers: 35' Rachel Cuschieri, 46' Rachel Cuschieri (Birkirkara).

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