Women's Team narrowly lose to Hibernians

by Ayrton Galea - 9th October 2015

A goal just before the half-time whistle condemned Birkirkara FC Women's Team for the first defeat in the BOV Women's League as Hibernians emerged as winners with a narrow 2-1 score, in a match where all three goals were scored in the first fourty-five minutes.

In a high-tempo match that offered an entertaining and top-level clash, especially in the first half, Hibernians came out victorious by the odd goal in three. Hibernians surged ahead mid-way through the first-half thanks to Dorianne Theuma but Raina Giusti scored a gem of a goal to make the score level before Jade Flask notched the winner just before half-time for the Paolites.

Birkirkara Coach Mr. Jean Pierre Portanier made five changes from the last outing against Pembroke. He gave the nod to start the foreign duo of Catherine Campbelle and Heidi Kjaer. Catherine composed the midfield department with Gabriella Zahra and Kim Parnis while Kjaer was the only striker on the days.

On the other hand, Janice Xuereb retained her place defending the posts, Kim Parnis replaced Melania Bajada and Alishia Sultana replaced Isabelle Mazzitelli. The latter was unavailable for selection along-side with the injured Kirstie Vella. On the plus side, Martina Cilia was back after missing the last match.

The First Half

Hibernians went close on surging ahead in their first scoring opportunity after ten minutes, after the Stripes dictated the opening stages. Shona Zammit penetrated the Birkirkara defence with an intelligent pass and Dorianne Thuema was unlucky to see her strike come off the cross-bar.

The Stripes went close to surge ahead on the ninetieth minute. Giusti's corner kick created havoc with Heidi Kjaer has her shot blocked and from the rebound, Kim Parnis was unlucky to see her shot deflected and then saved by the Hibernians goalkeeper.

The Paolites surged ahead on the twenty-fourth minute. Thuema was close once again when her shot beat goalkeeper Xuereb but Oriana Bedingfield did an outstanding block off the goal-line. However, from the rebound, the same player put the ball into the net.

However, Birkirkara reacted strongly and they made them level six minutes later. The ability of strong forward Heidi Kjaer to hold the ball gave chance to Raina Giusti to surge forward before serving her with a brilliant and precise through ball. The best was yet to come as Giusti unleashed a wonderful strike from outside the box that ended in the right top corner for an incredible goal.

Hibernians regained the lead just before the half-time whistle. Ylenia Carabott came one-versus-one in-front of Janice Xuereb and her shot looked heading to the right corner but the Birkirkara confirmed her goalkeeping skills by producing an amazing save and turn the ball into a corner kick. From the resulting corner kick taken by Thuema, Xuereb could do nothing to keep out Flask's perfect header.

The Second Half

The Stripes came out aggressive but after just eighth minutes they received a double set-back. Right-back Maryrose Cardona and midfielder Catherine Campbell was both unable to continue player and had to be substituted and they were replaced by Kelly Agius Pace and Melania Bajada.

Birkirkara were trying to put Hibernians under pressure but while they enjoyed swatches of possessions, they failed to penetrate in the final third. Just past the hour mark, Kim Parnis had a direct free-kick ending wide.

The Birkirkara Coach Mr. Jean Pierre Portanier had to make his third forced substitution as Heidi Kjaer had to be replaced and Martina Cilia replaced the Danish striker on the seventy-fourth minute. For the Danish forward, it was her first start and she enjoyed a satisfactory performance.

The Stripes switched to three players at the back as they went all out for the equaliser in the final ten minutes, but Hibernians held strong to pick-up a narrow 2-1 victory and take sole leadership in the BOV Women's First Division League.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Maryrose Cardona (53' Kelly Agius Pace), Yasmeen Vella, Stephania Farrugia, Oriana Bedingfield, Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis, Catherine Campbell (53' Melania Bajada), Alishia Sultana, Raina Giusti, Heidi Kjaer (75' Martina Cilia).

HIBERNIANS: Rita Tagliaferro, Mandy Debono, Jade Flask, Charlene Zammit, Francesca Chircop, Ylenia Carabott, Dorianne Thuema, Dionne Tonna, Corissa Vella, Shona Zammit, Martina Borg.

Yellow Cards: 76' Ylenia Carabott (Hibernians)

Scorers: 24' Dorianne Thuema (Hibernians), 30' Raina Giusti (Birkirkara), 45+1' Jade Flask (Hibernians).

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