Girls Under-16's defeated by Kirkop United FC
by Ayrton Galea - 23rd November 2014
Birkirkara Girls Under-16's Team suffered their second consecutive defeat this morning when they fell to a 3-0 defeat, to unbeaten leaders Kirkop United FC in a match that was played at the Gharghur Grounds.
Facing the unbeaten leaders of the league, Birkirkara found it hard to compete with a more experienced Kirkop side, who were deserved winners by scoring two goals in the first half and another one in the second half.
Mr. Johann Scicluna's first-seven selection featured Anthea Enriquez as goalkeeper, Maria Fenech and Nicole Zammit as defenders while the midfield trio featured Alexia Galea and Michela Felice on the sides with Captain on the day following the absence of Guilia Micallef, Mariah Sciberras roaming behind striker Sarah Urpani.
The First Half
Kirkop surged ahead after just one minute. Demi Magrin was left unmarked following a long throw-in with the forward player finding space inside the box to head home past the Birkirkara goalkeeper, Anthea Enriquez.
Birkirkara, having had a shaky start, tried to make a reaction thanks to Michela's Felice shot on the fourteenth minute, but it was Kirkop who doubled their lead two minutes later when Emily Pace saw her powerful strike beating goalkeeper Enriquez.
Having seen his team struggle, Mr. Johann Scicluna made the first substitution on the twentieth minute when he introduced Alanis Cardona off Alexia Galea.
Cardona was promptly involved in the last action of the first half, when she served Mariah Sciberras, who fired a powerful shot which ended wide off the far post, to see the Stripes ending the first half losing to Kirkop with a 2-0 score.
The Second Half
The start of the second half featured a scoring opportunity on each side. First it was Emilie Pace for Kirkop, who was denied by a great save of Anthea Enriquez while a minute later Mariah Sciberras had a powerful shot ending over.
Just past the half-hour mark, Mr. Scicluna made another two changes. First he introduced Samantha Zarb off Sarah Uprani, while four minutes later Adele Calleja replaced Nicole Zammit.
Kirkop put their minds at rest and assured themselves of the precious three points on the thirty-eighth minute. Following a low corner kick on first post, Emily Pace was left unmarked and the latter hit another powerful strike past the Birkirkara goalkeeper.
Eigth minutes from time, Janine Harmsworth replaced defender Maria Fenech in Birkirkara's fourth substitution on the day.
Birkirkara increased the pressure on scoring a consolation goal. Mariah Sciberras had a direct free-kick from distance parried by the Kirkop's goalkeeper and just a minute later, the same player tried her luck with a powerful shot that ended over.
In Birkirkara's last two substitutions, Michela Felice was replaced by Sarah Cassar five minutes from time, while two minutes later Jessica Farrugia Cross made her debut after replacing Mariah Sciberras.
The Stripes were unlucky not to pull one back before the full-time whistle when Alanis Cardona made an excellent solo-run down the right wing before serving substitute Samantha Zarb that rounded the goalkeeper but her diagonal shot from tight angle ended wide.
The full-time whistle found the Stripes suffering a 3-0 defeat to Kirkop United, which was the second consecutive one after losing 2-1 to Mosta last week.
BIRKIRKARA: Anthea Enriquez, Nicola Zammit (34' Adele Calleja), Maria Fenech (42' Janine Harmsworth), Michela Felice (45' Sarah Cassar), Mariah Sciberras (47' Jessica Farrugia Cross), Alexia Galea (20' Alanis Cardona), Sarah Urpani (30' Samantha Zarb).
KIRKOP: Yasmine Farrugia, Rachel Caruana (40' Angelica Tanti), Kathryn Ellul, Emily Pace (42' Sarah Attard), Demi Magrin (44' Laura Calleja), Yasmine Ciantar (36' Rebecca Ellul), Celine Galea (46' Amy Zammit).
Referee: Jonathan Bonello.
Scorers: 1' Demi Magrin, 16', 38' Emily Pace (Kirkop).
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