Women's Team beat Hibernians in direct clash

by Ayrton Galea - 22nd October 2014

Birkirkara FC Women's Team showed their intentions in the BOV Women's First Division League, as two brilliant goals inside the second half by Hanna Tegelmann and Raina Giusti handed them a 2-0 victory in the match of the week against Hibernians FC.

Having lost the BOV Women's Super Cup to Hibernians three weeks ago, the Stripes had to deliver a statement of their real strength and they gave a brilliant performance which improved in the second half.

It was a team-effort that resulted in this victory as all departments responded well to the instructions. The defence gave a strong performance while the midfield-trio won countless balls, with the Stripes being a continuous threat on the offensive side after the break.

Hanna Tegelmann who joined our Club this summer, scored a stunning goal to open her scoring account with our shirt, while substitute Raina Giusti repaid the Coach's trust after being included as a substitute in the second half with an excellent strike.

The starting 4-1-4-1 formation featured Janice Xuereb as a goalkeeper while Stephania Farrugia and Yasmeen Vella formed the central-backs. Maryrose Cardona and Alishia Sultana patrolled the side backs. Melania Bajada was the defensive shield in front of the defence with Hanna Tegelmann and Gabriella Zahra playing as advanced midfielders. Martina Cilia and Kelly Agius Pace took the wings, with Kim Parnis as the only striker.

The First Half

The match had a slow start as both teams utilised the first minutes to study their opponents but it was Hibernians who threatened twice in the opening minutes. After three minutes, Martina Borg had a shot ending over following a short clearance while two minutes later the same player had a shot missing the target.

Birkirkara responded with their first scoring opportunity on the seventh minute when Kim Parnis found space inside the box, but her half volley was parried by Keoney Demicoli. Ten minutes later, Melania Bajada sent a threatening ball to unzip the Hibernians rearguard but the Hibernians goalkeeper reached the ball before Kelly Agius Pace.

Hibernians had the illusion of surging ahead on the eighteenth minute. Dorianne Theuma, dribbled past her marker to see her uprising shot blocked by a brilliant save of goalkeeper Xuereb. From the rebound, Hibernians converted, but the goal was invalidated for an offside position.

Clearly unhappy with his team performance, Mr. Johann Scicluna was quick to make amendments to his formation by shifting to a 4-1-3-2 formation which also led to some of his players exchanging positions. The forward line was now featuring Kelly Agius Pace and Alishia Sultana.

The match was more resulting in a tug-of-war for possession as both teams failed to dictate matters. Hibernians were producing the better football but failing to threaten the Birkirkara goalkeeper. On the other hand, the Stripes, despite keeping Hibernians at bay, were struggling to find their feet and were only able to create isolated actions.

A free-kick by Dorianne Theuma from the right was easily parried by Janice Xuereb ten minutes from half-time while five minutes later, Birkirkara replied with a shot by Gabriella Zahra that ended wide, after being served by Maryrose Cardona.

In the last scoring opportunity of the first-half, Kelly Agius Pace made an excellent run down the left flank, crossed in the direction of Alishia Sultana,but goalkeeper Demicoli reached the ball to eliminated the danger.

The referee's half-time whistle found both teams heading to their dressing room with a goal-less draw.

The Second Half

Inspired by the half-time team talk, Birkirkara went out better in the second half. Two minutes inside the second half, Melania Bajada served Maryrose Cardona who had an in-swinging strike saved by the Hibernians goalkeeper.

The encouraging start of the second half led the Birkirkara Coach to make his first substitution ten minutes into the second half. Raina Giusti replaced Martina Cilia, with Giusti taking her usual centre-forward role, with Sultana deployed behind the strikers.

Birkirkara's superiority was now clear to notice and they surged ahead on the hour mark. It was the speed of Alishia Sultana that troubled the Hibernians rearguard as she sprinted past her marker, to serve Hanna Tegelmann who hit a thunderous strike from distance to put Birkirkara in the lead and score her first personal goal with our Club.

Witnessing his team being edged out and falling behind, Mr. Keith Gouder, the Hibernians Coach, made his first substitution when he withdrew Martina Borg and introduced Rodiana Borg upfront.

His players almost replied in the perfect way to their Coach's instructions as the Paolites were close to level matters on the seventy-fifth minute. Dorianne Theuma delivered a second-post corner kick and Dione Tonna saw her header ending wide by inches.

However, Birkirkara delivered the killer blow on the eightieth minute. Gabriella Zahra rounded off her brilliant performance by serving an excellent through-ball in the direction of Raina Giusti, who dribbled past her marker before her superb low strike hit past goalkeeper Demicoli.

It was now game over for Hibernians who seemed too weak to make any sort of reaction. The Birkirkara Coach made another two changes. On the eighty-third minute, Rebecca Chircop, despite not being in the best physical condition replaced Kelly Agius Pace while Kirstie Vella replaced Alishia Sultana five minutes later.

Gabriella Zahra almost made them three two minutes from time with an in-swinging shot that surprised goalkeeper Demicoli, only for the latter to be able to deflect the ball into a corner kick. From the resulting corner kick, Melania served Rebecca that returned the ball back with Melania's cross saw Hanna hitting wide in front of Demicoli.

In Birkirkara's fourth substitution on the ninety minute mark, Mariah Sciberras, who forms part of the Under-16's Team made her debut by replacing Raina Giusti.

The Referee full time whistle, found Birkirkara capturing three precious points in the early stage of the BOV Women's First Division League, with a win that certainly boosts their hopes of being once again the main contenders for the league title.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Alishia Sultana (88' Kirstie Vella), Yasmeen Vella, Stephania Farrugia, Maryrose Cardona, Melania Bajada, Gabriella Zahra, Hanna Tegelmann, Martina Cilia (55' Raina Giusti) (90' Mariah Sciberras), Kelly Agius Pace (83' Rebecca Chircop), Kim Parnis.

Yellow Cards: 63' Francesca Chircop (Hibernians).

Scorers: 60' Hanna Tegelmann, 80' Raina Giusti.

comments powered by Disqus