Birkirkara, Mosta share the spoils

by Ayrton Galea - 28th February 2012

Birkirkara's Women Team will have to wait for another week to try to be crowned champions, as yesterday evening, they were held by Mosta in a 1-1 draw.

It was a good match with both teams aware that any mistake could cost them the three decisive points. Both teams had their good moments, and in the end a draw result could be described as a fair one.

There were several players for Birkirkara who had a good match, such as Stephania Farrugia who was very solid at the back and Janice Xuereb who blocked several dangerous crosses. However it was Rachel Cushieri that entertained and impressed most the numerous Birkirkara supporters. The international midfielder showed her class with her precise crosses and passes besides her speed and technique.

The First Half

The first half saw Birkirkara opening as the stronger side and in fact they managed to take the lead after fifteen minutes. From then on, Mosta increased their level of play and they equalised eight minutes from the half time whistle.

Following a foul on Kelly Agius Pace on the 2nd minute, a direct long distance freekick by Rachel Cuschieri ended over the bar.

Birkirkara's goalkeeper Janice Xuereb blocked well a close range effort on the 3rd minute.

On the 10th minute, a fine corner by Rachel Cuschieri was headed well but was deflected to another corner. The second corner was cleared by the defence.

Birkirkara took the lead on the 15th minute, when Dorcas Debono deflected the ball to Isabelle Mazzitelli who slotted the ball home from a close range.

Mosta were unlucky not to equalise on the 19th minute, when a long distance direct freekick from three quarters of the pitch was denied by the crossbar.

On the 23rd minute, a cross shot by Rachel Cuschieri from a diagonal angle ended wide.

In the first substitution for Birkirkara, the youngster Alishia Sultana came in to replace Dorcas Debono on the 35 minute.

Mosta grabbed the equaliser on the 37th minute, when following a low diagonal shot which hit the foot of the left post, the Mosta player tapped in to grab the equaliser.

Rachel Cuschieri almost surprised the Mosta goalkeeper on the 42nd minute, when after it seemed to be a low shot to be saved without problem, the goalkeeper failed to catch the ball well but then saved in the 2nd attempt for the last action of the first half.

The Second Half

The second half saw Birkirkara defending the result and trying to counter attack, and in fact they were dangerous on several occasions but failed to score the second goal. On the other hand, Mosta tried to play several long balls from the back but they were all well cleared by the solid defence.

Rachel Cuschieri almost put Birkirkara ahead three minutes in the second half when her powerful long distance drive ended over with a matter of inches.

A low deflected shot by Rachel Cuschieri was parried by the goalkeeper on the 52nd minute.

Birkirkara had another fine chance to go ahead on the 53rd minute, when a typical dangerous freekick from a long distance by Rachel Cuschieri was not held by the goalkeeper and from the rebound, the effort ended wide.

Following a boring patch consisting of possession game in the midfield, on the 74th minute, Kelly Agius Pace had a low shot scratching past the post.

A fine cross by Alishia Sultana on the 77th minute failed to be connected by anyone.

The Mosta goalkeeper rushed out to eliminate the danger following a fine through ball by Gabriella Zahra towards Kelly Agius Pace on the 81st minute.

In the second and last substitution for Birkirkara, on the 82nd minute, the coach Mr. Scicluna changed to a more defensive formation as he replaced Alishia Sultana with defender Rosanne Xerri.

On the 90th mark, Birkirkara had a great chance to take the lead when Kelly Agius Pace beat the offside trap, and in a one versus one against the goalkeeper, the striker advanced too much without shooting, and the goalkeeper saved the danger.

In the last action of the match, Janice Xuereb came out and rescued the danger following a fine through ball.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara missing the opportunity to be crowned champions three matches from the end, but on a brighter note they kept their advantage on Mosta. Their next chance to mathematically be crowned champions is next Tuesday when they will face Pembroke.

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