Women's Team defeat Pembroke and make them four in a row

by Ayrton Galea - 9th April 2016

Birkirkara FC Women's Team registered the fourth consecutive victory in the BOV Women's First Division League when a hat-trick by the team's top-scorer Raina Giusti earned the Stripes a hard-fought 3-1 victory against Pembroke Athleta on Tuesday evening.

It was a hard-fought victory for the Stripes, who playing in a rather smaller ground than up-to-standard at the Zebbug Grounds, they found it difficult to penetrate the organized and determined Pembroke Athleta side who were only downed by two goals in the last eighteen minutes after they had cancelled Giusti's opening goal in the first half.

Before the match, the team contributed in the awareness raised by Dr. Klown, who are a group of doctors who goes to hospital and cheer the children while are raising money to buy enough beds, by a donation from each player and technical staff member, and a team-photo with a red nose, the trend associated with this awareness.

The Stripes enjoyed an edge over their opponents but they had to wait to ten minutes from half-time. Oriana Bedingfield, who was making her return after missing last week's match, picked-up possession on the left flank and delivered an inch-perfect cross to Raina Giusti who drilled a low shot past goalkeeper Baldaccinho.

One would have expected a better start from the Stripes in the second-half as Pembroke grabbed the equalising goal in their first scoring opportunity just before the hour-mark. Luana Vella received the ball at the edge of the box and showed great skills and confidence to produce a wonderful lob over Janice Xuereb.

The Stripes looked frustrated but they heaved a sigh of relief when they regained the lead eighteen minutes from time. Gabriella Zahra penetrated the defence with a vertical pass towards the on-running Raina Giusti who sprinted behind the defence and lobbed over goalkeeper Baldaccinho to put the Stripes back in the lead.

Two became three seven minutes later as the Stripes put their minds at rest. The combination of Gabriella Zahra and Raina Giusti, two of the best performers throughout this season, was evident once again when Zahra showed great skills to flick the ball over the defender to find Giusti inside the box and the latter hit a firm drive to complete her hat-trick and assured the Stripes' fourth straight victory.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Melania Bajada (55' Mariah Sciberras), Yasmeen Vella (84' Nicole Zammit), Stephania Farrugia, Oriana Bedingfield, Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis (55' Catherine Campbell), Samantha Zarb, Alishia Sultana (84' Isabelle Mazzitelli), Sarah Urpani (55' Kelly Agius Pace), Raina Giusti.

Scorers: 35', 73', 81' Raina Giusti.

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