Women Under-17's Team return to winning ways

by Ayrton Galea - 26th March 2017

Birkirkara FC Women Under-17's Team produced a brilliant performance to return to winning ways in the Women Under-17's League Section A, when they defeated Mgarr United FC with a 3-1 score.

In a direct clash for the fourth place, the Stripes enjoyed an edge for long stretches and the victory was well deserved. Their attacking force looked on top form while they were more steady at the back, with goalkeeper Anthea Enriquez also having a satisfactory performance.

Birkirkara opened well and were unlucky not to score on the eleventh minute. Veronique Mifsud squared a low cross to Nicole Zammit who had her effort deflected and hitting the post, while from the rebound, Sarah Urpani had her shot deflected into a corner kick.

The Stripes surged ahead on the thirteenth minute. Urpani showed great vision to give an accurate pass outside the box to Veronique Mifsud and the latter hit a wonderful volley that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

Mgarr United made an immediate reaction. Maia debono hit a powerful free-kick from distance but alert goalkeeper Anthea Enriquez produced an excellent save, aided by the crossbar.

Birkirkara doubled their lead on the eighteenth. Nicole Zammit did an excellent solo run as advanced forward, before supplying an excellent through-ball towards Urpani and she kept calm to drill a low shot home.

Mgarr United narrowed the gap and got back in contention two minutes later. Rachela Pace did fine footwork on the right wing before she struck a powerful shot that gave goalkeeper Enriquez no chance.

The Stripes were denied by the woodwork again on the twenty-third minute. Urpani, enjoying an outstanding performance, once again showed her passing accuracy with a diagonal through-ball towards Zarb. Zarb drifted inside the box and struck a thunderous drive but her effort smashed against the crossbar and the upright, as she was denied from a gem of a goal.

Just before the half-time whistle, it was Mgarr's turn to be denied by the crossbar. Debono once again tried her luck with a long-distance free-kick but her effort hit the crossbar, before the defenders cleared into safety.

The Stripes opened well and restored a two-goal lead four minutes inside the second half. Mifsud served Samantha Zarb with an inch-perfect through-ball and the rapid-winger hit a thunderous curling drive that surprised the Mgarr goalkeeper.

With a two-goal lead, the Stripes were now more cautious at the back. Mgarr United were unable to penetrate, despite putting more numbers up-front but it was only through a number of free-kicks that threatened to narrow the gap. However, the score remained unchanged as the Stripes registered a satisfactory victory.

BIRKIRKARA: Anthea Enriquez, Maria Fenech, Sarah Cassar (68' Nicole Borg), Mariah Cardona (65' Jessica Farrugia Cross), Nicole Zammit, Veronique Mifsud, Samantha Zarb, Sarah Urpani, Michela Felice (55' Kaycee Micallef).

Scorers: 13' Veronique Mifsud, 18' Sarah Urpani, 39' Samantha Zarb (Birkirkara), 20' Rachela Pace (Mgarr United).

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