Wonderful comeback by Girls Under-16's Team in a 3-3 draw against Gozo

by Ayrton Galea - 15th February 2016

Birkirkara FC Girls Under-16's Team made an impressive comeback in the Girls League Under-16's League Section A match on Sunday morning. They showed with their never-give-up attitude, when they recovered a three goals disadvantage, in an entertaining 3-3 draw against Gozo FC.

With the Stripes trailing the second-placed Gozitans by four points, they could not afford to lose, to keep their ambitions of ending in the first three places, and they rose to the occasion to keep their hopes alive and kicking.

The First Half

The Stripes went out better, and they had an early penalty shout when Sarah Urpani was floored inside the box, but it was Gozo who surged ahead on the eleventh minute. Keeva Camilleri had a shot deflected by Maria Fenech, and the ball changed direction to give goalkeeper Anthea Enriquez no chance.

Boosted by the opening goal, Gozo made the best of the situation, as Maria Farrugia scored two goals in the space of three minutes, to open a comfortable 3-0 lead in the first twenty minutes of the match.

The Stripes were hit by more woes as solid defender Giulia Micallef suffered an injury and was unable to continue playing. Nicole Zammit replaced Micallef on the twenty-fifth minute.

In the added time of the first half, the Stripes pulled one back thanks to a well-struck low shot by Michela Felice. The first half ended with Gozo enjoying a two-goal lead with the score reading 3-1.

The Second Half

The goal by Felice seemed to inject hope, as the team went out with all guns blazing, and eighth minutes into the second half, they got back in the match by scoring the second goal thanks to a wonderful header by Felice, from an accurate corner-kick by Samantha Zarb.

There was no stopping the Stripes and ten minutes from time, they made the score level. Sarah Urpani, who is quickly establishing herself in the Women's Senior Team, had a fast solo-action before showing great vision by sending an excellent pass to Felice. Felice registered a hat-trick thanks to fierce strike from short distance.

Birkirkara kept pushing forward but the score remained unchanged and both sides took a deserved point in a top-level match.

BIRKIRKARA: Anthea Enriquez, Giulia Micallef (25' Nicole Zammit), Maria Fenech, Samantha Zarb, Michela Felice, Mariah Sciberras, Sarah Urpani.

GOZO: Whitney Bajada, Greta Grima (Christiana Teuma), Leanne Cefai, Maria Farrugia, Keeva Camilleri, Miriana Conti, Valentina Rapa.

Yellow Cards: Maria Fenech (Birkirkara).

Scorers: 11' Keeva Camilleri, 17', 20' Maria Farrugia (Gozo), 25+5', 33', 40' Michela Felice (Birkirkara)

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