Women: Birkirkara FC 0-0 Hibernians FC

by Ayrton Galea - 15th December 2017

Birkirkara FC Women's Team were unable to make their superiority count in the top of the table clash of the BOV Women's League played yesterday evening, when they shared the spoils in a goal-less draw against Hibernians FC.

The Stripes produced a very satisfactory performance that saw them having an edge over their opponents for long stretches, but they failed to convert their scoring chances as they dropped the first two points of the season.

By this result, both teams remain joint-leaders on top of the table with nineteen points from seventeen matches. While this was the first time that the Stripes failed to find the net, this was sixth clean-sheet in seven matches as they have only conceded one goal so far.

Coach Melania Bajada was boosted by the return of key-player Ann-Marie Said who made it on time, following two months on the side-line. Captain Stephania Farrugia was also back in the fray, after missing the last match.

The First Half

Fielded an offensive 4-2-3-1 cum 4-3-3 formation, the Stripes made their intentions clear right from the start. They applied pressure on the Hibernians' rear-guard and Kim Parnis had her long-distance shot ending over after just five minutes.

Captain Stephania Farrugia was inches away from connecting to a low free-kick by Gabriella Zahra, while three minutes later, Birkirkara playmaker Tracy Teuma tried her luck with a shot from distance, which was saved by the Hibernians goalkeeper, Dorienne Grech.

The Stripes were looking sharper in every department. Winning the midfield battle was proving to be vital for the Stripes as they continued to dictate matters, while upfront Sarah Urpani and Alishia Sultana were continuously applying pressure to the Hibs defence.

Teuma was once again involved into action as she fired over on the thirty-third minute while two minutes later, Kim Parnis had her free-kick shot and from the rebound, her effort ended wide by a whisker.

The Stripes created their best scoring opportunity ten minutes from half-time. Farrugia did well to advance forward before unzipping the defence with an inch-perfect through-ball towards Alishia Sultana who did well to lob the ball over Grech, but her effort was cleared off the goal-line.

Just before half-time, the Birkirkara clan protested for the sending off of defender Rebecca Bajada when the latter seemed to have retaliated to the challenge of Kim Parnis, but her action went unnoticed by the referee and his assistant.

The Second Half

Have been left to catch up for most of the first half, Hibernians showed signs of improvement in the second half. They created their first dangerous scoring chance after eight minutes but Jade Flask's header from inside the box was saved by the alert goalkeeper, Janice Xuereb.

Coach Melania Bajada utilised her first two substitutions as Samantha Zarb was included off Sarah Urpani, who enjoyed a brilliant match, while with the aim to inject more creativity, Veronique Mifsud replaced Raina Giusti.

The inclusion of Mifsud almost paid off just moments later, as the playmaker did well to shield the ball with the post behind her back before unleashing a fine shot which was saved by goalkeeper Grech.

Birkirkara went close again fifteen minutes from time, when Gabriella Zahra delivered another accurate free-kick but Alishia Sultana, who tormented the Hibs defence in the second half, saw her volley saved by Grech saved in two attempts.

Hibernians continued to hold and break on the counter as the match headed into the last ten minutes, with Hibernians' playmaker and most dangerous player Dorianne Theuma was now deployed in her favourite central-attacking-midfield position.

Theuma tried to give her side a late win with a shot from distance which ended wide, while on the other side of the pitch, Kim Parnis' free-kick ended wide as both sides settled for a point in the top of the table clash.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Yasmeen Vella, Ann-Marie Said, Stephania Farrugia, Mariah Sciberras, Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis, Tracy Teuma, Raina Giusti (65' Veronique Mifsud), Alishia Sultana, Sarah Urpani (58' Samantha Zarb).

Yellow Cards: 54' Tracy Teuma.

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