Women's Team advance to the Knock-Out Semi Final

by Ayrton Galea - 2nd March 2017

Birkirkara FC Women's Team reached the semi-final of the Women's Knockout on Wednesday evening, when four goals by Alishia Sultana and another one by Kim Parnis gave the Stripes a comfortable 5-0 victory over Mosta FC.

Rapid-winger Alishia Sultana confirmed her fine form when she stole the limelight by netting four goals for the Stripes after Kim Parnis had given them an early lead, as they comfortably brushed away the challenge of the spirited second division side.

The Stripes proved to be too strong for their opponents, as three goals in the opening twenty-five minutes put their minds at rest, before scoring another two goals in the second half to add further gloss on the victory.

On the other hand, Mosta deserves credit for their tactical discipline throughout the match where they gave a good account of themselves, which certainly continues to lift their spirit in their ambition of returning to the top division via the end of season play-off.

The Stripes now will take on arch-rivals Hibernians in May after the cup-holders defeated Raiders with a comfortable 6-1 score.

The First Half

The Stripes surged ahead after just five minutes. Technical player Raina Giusti delivered an accurate corner kick on the second post the found Kim Parnis in the right position to hit a fine header at the back of the net.

Parnis was involved into action on the fourteenth minute as the Stripes doubled their lead. The powerful midfielder raced forward on the counter before releasing Sultana inside the box. The swift winger drifted inside the box and after avoided the challenge of two players, placed the ball in the net.

Birkirkara made them three mid-way through the first-half, with another identical action of Sultana. She did well to make her way inside the box and beat the goalkeeper with a low shot to score her second personal goal.

Leanne Micallef dashed forward before having her fine shot on goal ending just over the bar on the thirty-third minute. Four minutes later, Mosta's midfielder Olivia Jimenez had a shot from distance easily saved by goalkeeper RoseMarie Baldacchino, as the latter retained her place between the posts following last match's clean-sheet.

Five minutes before half-time, the Stripes were unlucky not to increase the lead. Micallef served team's top-scorer Kelly Agius Pace but the latter's shot from inside the box smashed against the crossbar.

The Second Half

For the start of the second half, Coach Shawn Meilak utilised his first two substitutions. Up-and-coming Under-17's team defender Maria Fenech replaced Stephania Farrugia while Sonia Schembri, returning after missing the last match, replaced Yasmeen Vella.

Mosta opened the second-half well. They began to push more forwards while they looked more steady at the back in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half. On the hour mark, Jimenez had a diagonal shot saved by Baldacchino.

Birkirkara stepped-up their tempo and scored the fourth goal on the sixty-ninth minute. Gabriella Zahra played a vertical ball towards Agius Pace who showed fine technique by flicking the ball towards Sultana who hit home with a close-range effort to complete her hat-trick.

Two substitutes almost left their mark by putting their name on the scoring-sheet in the last fifteen minutes. First, it was another Under-17's Team player, Sarah Urpani who hit a wonderful strike that scratched past the post, while moments later, Tracy Teuma had a curling shot ending just over the bar.

Alishia Sultana crowned her magnificent performance with the fourth personal goal eighth minutes from time. The rapid winger received an excellent through-ball from Gabriella Zahra before once again kept her cool and drilled a fine shot home.

BIRKIRKARA: Rosemarie Baldacchino, Mariah Sciberras, Yasmeen Vella (46' Sonia Schembri), Stephania Farrugia (46' Maria Fenech), Cassie Camilleri (62' Sarah Urpani), Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis, Alishia Sultana, Raina Giusti, Leanne Micallef (75' Tracy Teuma), Kelly Agius Pace.

Scorers: 5' Kim Parnis, 14', 23', 69', 82' Alishia Sultana.

comments powered by Disqus