Women's Team defeated by Hibernians

by Ayrton Galea - 6th May 2015

Birkirkara FC Women's Team ended their league commitments with a narrow defeat as a brace by Martina Borg was enough for Hibernians to recover from a goal down and win the match 2-1.

In a match where Birkirkara enjoyed an edge over their opponents for long stretches, the Stripes should feel unlucky to walk out of the stadium empty-handed after taking an early lead thanks to Kelly Agius Pace. Birkirkara suffered a set-back with the injury of Rebecca Chircop. Hibernians equalised and then scored the winning goal ten minutes into the second half.

Coach Johann Scicluna made two changes from the 2-0 victory against Raiders. Goalkeeper Janice Xuereb made it on time to regain her place between the posts, while Raina Giusti was drafted back inside the first-eleven selection at the expense of Mariah Sciberras.

With Hibernians already mathematically champions, Birkirkara's team captain, Stephania Farrugia presented a bouquet of flowers to the Hibernians' captain, Ylenia Carabott.

The First Half

The Stripes registered a perfect start as they surged ahead in their first scoring opportunity. Rebecca Chircop did some fine work to serve Kelly Agius Pace on the run. The latter dribbled past her marker and her tight-angle shot smashed against the up-right and went in, to take an early lead.

Birkirkara remained superior but Hibernians had their first scoring opportunity after thirteen minutes. Dorianne Theuma had a direct free-kick from distance easily saved by goalkeeper Janice Xuereb.

Leading by one, the Stripes were dictating matters and ten minutes from half-time, the Stripes were unlucky not to double the score. The runs of Raina Giusti were creating countless problems for the Paolites, and in one of her solo actions, she dribbled past a defender and the on-rushing goalkeeper, but her effort was cleared off the goal-line by Mandy Debono.

However, against the run of play, the Paolites levelled matters two minutes later. It was a fine through ball that caught the Birkirkara defence on the wrong foot, and prolific scorer Martina Borg advanced before poking the ball past Xuereb.

The half-time found both teams heading to their dressing rooms with score level.

The Second Half

Rebecca Chircop suffered a late tackle during the first-half, and was unable to continue playing. Coach Johann Scicluna was forced to make the first substitution and Mariah Sciberras replaced the injured player.

The Stripes opened well and they went close after three minutes. A short-clearance saw the ball rolling in the path of Cardona who caught goalkeeper Demicoli out of her position but the latter recovered well to save the lob.

Hibernians turned the match in their favour ten minutes into the second half. A corner kick by Dorianne Theuma failed to be parried by Xuereb, and with the defence not clearing the ball, Martina Borg headed home from close-range.

Birkirkara made an instant reaction and they went close to levelling the score on the sixty-second minute. Giusti sped from the left to the middle of the field before serving Kelly Agius Pace who saw her close-range effort blocked by the goalkeeper.

The Stripes suffered the second set-back in the match as twenty minutes from time, Kirstie Vella also was unable to continue playing and was substituted by Tara Attard. The latter returned after missing the last two games.

Hibernians almost sealed the issue with the third goal on eighty-third minute, when off a short clearance, Ruth Steer saw her shot from outside the box denied by the foot of the post. A minute later, Borg was denied from the hat-trick with a brilliant save by Xuereb.

Birkirkara threw everything forward but Hibernians held strong in the final minutes to end their league campaign with a win. The two teams will meet again next Monday in the Women's Knockout Semi-Final, where the Stripes will be all-out to keep the cup for another season.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Maryrose Cardona, Yasmeen Vella, Stephania Farrugia, Kirstie Vella (70' Tara Attard), Melania Bajada, Gabriella Zahra, Rebecca Chircop (46' Mariah Sciberras), Martina Cilia, Raina Giusti, Kelly Agius Pace.

Yellow Cards: 65' Martina Cilia.

Scorers: 4' Kelly Agius Pace.

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