Top of the table clash goes The Stripes' way

by Ayrton Galea - 10th December 2014

A thunderous strike by Martina Cilia fifteen minutes from the end handed a very important victory to the Birkirkara FC Women's Team when in the top of the table clash, they defeated Raiders FC 2-1.

Having enjoyed an outstanding start to the BOV Women's League by winning all the first seven matches, all pressure was on the Stripes to keep on winning. Yet, they were given a stern test against the strengthened Raiders side. However, the Stripes had the last laugh in the tale of three when they notched the winner with a beautiful strike fifteen minutes from the end.

In a match played on a high-tempo, the Stripes enjoyed an excellent first-half display and they took an early lead. They continued to show the best ideas but Raiders equalised with a direct free-kick just before half-time. The second half was more balanced with both teams searching for the winner, but it was the Stripes who grabbed the three precious points.

With the top of the table clash going the Stripes way, they lead the table with twenty-four points, three over Hibernians and five over Raiders. They are currently the second best attack while they have the best defence, conceding just two goals in eight matches.

Mr. Johann Scicluna fielded a 4-1-3-2 formation. Janice Xuereb defended the posts with Stephania Farrugia and Yasmeen Vella forming the central-backs supported by Maryrose Cardona and Kirstie Vella that patrolled the side-backs. Melania Bajada began in her usual position in front of the defence. The midfield trio was composed of Hanna Tegelmann, Kim Parnis and Martina Cilia with the latter roaming behind strikers Raina Giusti and Alishia Sultana.

The First Half

The match had a balanced start but it was the Stripes who had the first scoring opportunity on the fifteenth minute, when Melania Bajada had an in-swinging free-kick tipped into a corner kick by the Raiders goalkeeper, Sonia Farrugia.

Birkirkara deservingly surged ahead just three minutes later. A direct free-kick by Kim Parnis seemed to put the Stripes ahead, but the referee adjudicated that there was a hands-ball inside the box and ordered the penalty. From the penalty, Stephania Farrugia made no mistake.

With a goal up, the Stripes continued to have the best attacking ideas and they went close to doubling the lead on the twenty-fifth minute. Kim Parnis sent a dangerous ball from the back, into the path of Raina Giusti, who saw her first-time effort ending wide.

There was another scare for the Raiders, who struggled to match Birkirkara's high tempo, on the half-hour mark. Alishia Sultana served Hanna Tegelmann who had a deflected in-swinging strike turned into a corner kick, by a great save of goalkeeper Farrugia. Two minutes later, Hanna served Raina whose first-time strike was parried by the goalkeeper.

With the Raiders struggling and lacking inspiration, they had a desperate scoring attempt five minutes from time when Joslene Gafa had a long-distance shot easily parried by the Birkirkara goalkeeper, Janice Xuereb.

Joslene Gafa levelled matters with a direct free-kick that surprised Xuereb to equalise the score before the half-time whistle.

The Stripes did not even restart play, as the referee signalled half-time, and sent the Stripes to their dressing room cursing their luck with nothing to show for their superiority.

The Second Half

With the stormy weather and rain that hit the Maltese islands and continuing to increase, the second half had a slower start. Five minutes into the second half, Raiders had their first opportunity when off a cross from the right, Rodianne Zerafa saw her header ending wide.

The match continued to be a very balanced one, with no space at either back. For the Stripes, central-backs Yasmeen Vella and Stephania Farrugia were distinguishing themselves as the rear-guard, as they let nothing go past them.

The Stripes should have regained the lead on the hour mark. Hanna Tegelmann dribbled past her mark and drifted inside the box to serve Maryrose Cardona, but the latter lost balance in front of goal and saw her effort from a few metres away ending over.

Birkirkara's Coach Johann Scicluna made his first substitution just past the hour mark. Kirstie Vella who enjoyed a very satisfactory match down the right side, was replaced by Gabriella Zahra.

As the match approached its final fifteen minutes, a ball from the back was short-cleared by the Raiders' defence, and Martina Cilia hit a thunderous strike pas the Raiders goalkeeper to put Birkirkara back in the lead.

With the minutes ticking away, Kim Parnis was deployed in the defence, to preserve the team's lead, and this went according to plan as Raiders never really penetrated the strong rear-guard.

Three minutes from time, Raina Giusti, was replaced with Mariah Sciberras.

The four minutes of extra time seemed to last forever for the Stripes, but the referee's full-time whistle found Birkirkara winning the top of the table clash to move three points clear on top of the BOV Women's League, and five over Raiders.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Maryrose Cardona, Yasmeen Vella, Stephania Farrugia, Kirstie Vella (61' Gabriella Zahra), Melania Bajada, Hanna Tegelmann, Kim Parnis, Martina Cilia, Alishia Sultana, Raina Giusti (87' Mariah Sciberras).

Yellow Cards: 34' Martina Cilia, 88' Yasmeen Vella (Birkirkara).

Scorers: 18' Stephania Farrugia, 75' Martina Cilia (Birkirkara), 45' Joslene Gafa (Raiders).

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