Five-Star Women's Team keep on winning

by Ayrton Galea - 21st January 2015

Birkirkara FC Women's Team kicked off their Championship Pool commitments with a brilliant victory when they defeated Kirkop United FC with a comfortable 4-0 score.

The Disciplinary Decisions Board's decision yesterday afternoon accepted Pembroke's protest over two ineligible players for Birkirkara in their last match, and awarded Pembroke with a 3-0 victory.

However, thanks to an outstanding performance, the Stripes registered another comfortable victory, and following the deduction of three points, are joined leaders with Hibernians on thirty points.

The Stripes broke the dead-lock after just five minutes and added another three goals in the second half to register a comfortable score.

With Alishia Sultana suspended and Tara Attard unavailable for this match, Mr. Johann Scicluna was forced to make two substitutions. Rebecca Chircop regained first-eleven selection, while Martina Cilia, who was missing in the last two games, was given the nod from the start.

The 4-1-3-2 formation featured goalkeeper Janice Xuereb defending the posts. The back-four saw Yasmeen Vella and Rebecca Chircop as central backs supported by Maryrose Cardona and Kirstie Vella patrolling the side-backs. Melania Bajada was deployed in front of the defence, supporting the midfield trio composed of Stephania Farrugia, Kim Parnia and Gabriella Zahra. Raina Giusti and Martina Cilia were the two forwards on the day.

The First Half

Birkirkara threatened on the second minute, when Gabriella Zahra had a fierce strike from outside the box blocked by goalkeeper Sharon Costantino.

The Stripes' strong start bore fruit on the fifth minute. Melania Bajada delivered a brilliant corner kick, to see defender Stephania Farrugia rising high to head past Costantino to give the team an early lead.

On the eighth minute Kirkop made a desperate reaction with a shot by Alessia Caschetto, but her effort was easily saved by goalkeeper Janice Xuereb.

On the twelfth minute. Martina Cilia unzipped the defence with a perfect through ball in path of Raina Giusti, but her close-range shot was blocked by Costantino.

Giusti was once again denied two minutes later when she benefited from lack of communication between the goalkeeper and defender, but the latter did an excellent recovery to clear into safety, before Giusti could pull the trigger.

The Stripes remained in control and past the twentieth minute, Kim Parnis had a first-time shot from outside the box which was well handled by Costantino. Two minutes later, Giusti picked an excellent pass from Gabriella Zahra but once again her shot was blocked by Costantino.

On the thirty-third minute, Melania served Kim Parnis from a free-kick and the strong midfielder had a shot turned into a corner kick by the Kirkop goalkeeper while seven minutes later Gabriella Zahra had a shot ending just over the bar.

Just before the half-time whistle, Farrugia showed great vision to unzip the defence with a great through ball in the path of Parnis who lobbed over Costantino but the ball went just past the far post.

The first-half found the Stripes leading by the solitary goal despite their superior efforts.

The Second Half

At the start of the second half, Coach Johann Scicluna made the first substitution, when he with-drew Raina Giusti and introduced Kelly Agius Pace.

Kelly Agius Pace quickly left her impact by serving Martina Cilia, who despite having her pass intercepted, she picked-up the loose ball and showed great composure to send the ball into the net.

In Birkirkara's second substitution, defender Yasmeem Vella was replaced by Mariah Sciberras. Sciberras joined Agius Pace up-front, with Farrugia deployed at the back, while Cilia took a midfield position.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Kirkop's Emilie Pace had a direct free-kick ending over. On the other side of the pitch, just two minutes later, Sciberras hit wide from close-range.

The Stripes put the three points beyond any doubt fourteen minutes from time. Melania Bajada took an excellent free-kick that rattled the crossbar, but Farrugia hit home from the rebound to score her second goal of the day.

Stephania Farrugia received a well-deserved applause from her-team mates, when in the fourth substitution, she was replaced by Giulia Micallef.

Tireless midfielder Gabriella Zahra almost rounded off her excellent display with a brilliant strike but her effort ended over the bar.

Three became four on the eightieth minute. Sciberras made an excellent run down the left flank, drifted into the box, and served Kelly Agius Pace, who hit a thunderous strike that smashed against the crossbar and crossed the goal line.

In the last ten minutes, Coach Scicluna made two substitutions. First, Kim Parnis was replaced by Alexia Galea, and five minutes from time, goalkeeper Janice Xuereb was replaced by the veteran goalkeeper Nina Dimech.

The referee's full-time whistle found the Stripes winning their first match in the Championship Pool phase. The Stripes will face Pembroke Athleta next Tuesday.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb (85' Nina Dimech), Maryrose Cardona, Yasmeen Vella (64' Mariah Sciberras), Rebecca Chircop, Kirstie Vella, Melania Bajada, Gabriella Zahra, Stephania Farrugia (77' Giulia Micallef), Kim Parnis (82' Alexia Galea), Raina Giusti (46' Kelly Agius Pace), Martina Cilia.

Scorers: 5' Stephania Farrugia, 53' Martina Cilia, 76' Stephania Farrugia, 80' Kelly Agius Pace.

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