Women's Team Knockout Winners 2013-2014

by Ayrton Galea - 19th May 2014

Birkirkara FC Women's Team are the winners of the Women's Knockout 2013-2014, when in a dramatic match, they scored two goals in the final ten minutes, to come from behind and beat Hibernians 2-1.

In another heavyweights' showdown on Friday evening, Hibernians seemed to be completing their treble, when, with ten minutes to go, they were enjoying a one-goal lead. Birkirkara had different thoughts, and they turned the match around, with two goals by Rachel Cuschieri and Rebecca Chircop to win the twelfth knockout in their history.

It was yet another balanced match between the top sides of Women's Football. The first half produced a very balanced encounter but Dorianne Theuma's strike twenty minutes inside the second half put Hibernians ahead. The Stripes increased their efforts and levelled matters thanks to Cuschieri. Then Rebecca Chircop scored her first goal with our shirt, and it was to be the winning goal.

Birkirkara opted for a balanced 4-4-2 formation. The first-eleven selection featured just two changes from last Monday's victory over Mgarr United as Kelly Agius Pace and Alishia Sultana found their way back in the line-up, by replacing Tara Attard and Maryrose Cardona.

The First Half

There was little to separate both sides in the opening stages of the match as both teams utilised the first minutes to study their opponents.

Birkirkara threatened first on the fifteenth minute when Rachel Cuschieri tested the Hibernians goalkeeper, Keoney Demicoli, with a long-distance drive that was pushed into a corner kick by the Hibernians custodian.

The match continued to produce a balanced encounter and on the twentieth minute, Hibernians also tried their luck for the first time when Annmarie Muscat had a shot blocked by Stephania Farrugia, and off the rebound, Martina Borg hit wide.

Rachel Cuschieri produced a solo-action on the twenty-third minute, when she raced forward before having another long distance drive parried by goalkeeper Keoney Demicoli.

Birkirkara were showing the better ideas in the final third. Close to the half-hour mark, Rachel Cuschieri played-in Gabriella Zahra, who served Raina Giusti but had her shot was saved by goalkeeper Demicoli.

Minute later, the Stripes were denied from surging ahead when Kim Parnis fired a thunderous shot, that smashed against the crossbar, with the surprised Hibernians goalkeeper beaten.

Ten minute from half time, Hibernians had a corner kick taken by Dorienne Theuma that saw Dionna Tonna rising high, but her header ended wide off the far post.

Birkirkara replied with a corner kick by Rachel Cuschieri on the fortieth minute, that saw Kim Parnis having her header parried by goalkeeper Demicoli without much difficulty.

Just moments later, Dorianne Theuma had a shot from outside the box missing the target. Both sides were now being more adventurous in front of goal.

Two minutes from half, the Hibernians goalkeeper rushed out to deny an onrushing Raina Giusti, having received an excellent through-ball from the midfield.

The balanced first half ended in a goal-less draw.

The Second Half

Hibernians were the first team to have a scoring opportunity in the second half. Dorianne Theuma had a fierce drive from distance saved with difficulty by goalkeeper Janice Xuereb, in two attempts.

Against the run of play, Hibernians took the lead twenty minutes into the second half. In a fast counter attack, Martina Borg picked a fine through-ball before, then served Dorienne Theuma who hit a wonderful strike and beat goalkeeper Janice Xuereb.

It was now an uphill struggle for the Stripes who needed to lift their morale and try to get back in the match.

In Birkirkara's first substitution, Maryrose Cardona replaced forward Raina Giusti as Cardona was included to give fresh ideas to the Birkirkara's forward line.

The Stripes equalised five minutes from time. Martina Cilia showed great determination by persisting for possession after served by substitute Cardona, and her shot hit the upright. From the loose-ball, Rachel Cuschieri kept calm and hit home from close range.

The match was not over, and the Birkirkara clan eruprted with joy four minutes from time when they surged ahead. Maryrose Cardona was fouled outside the box and Cuschieri had a splendid free-kick smashing against the crossbar. From the rebound Maryrose Cardona served Rebecca Chirchop who hit home with a header.

Hibernians were now desperate, lacking from ideas, and stunned by Birkirkara's incredible comeback. They failed to threaten Janice Xuereb as Birkirkara held strong and managed to win the twelfth Knockout in their history.

Team's captain Rachel Cuschieri was presented with the trophy after the match, and launched the Stripes' deserved celebrations.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Stephania Farrugia, Kelly Agius Pace, Yasmeen Vella, Alishia Sultana, Kim Parnis, Rebecca Chircop, Gabriella Zahra, Martina Cilia, Raina Giusti (75' Maryrose Cardona), Rachel Cuschieri.

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

Scorers: 81' Rachel Cuschieri, 86' Rebecca Chircop.

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