Nothing to separate top teams in Women's League

by Ayrton Galea - 31st January 2013

Kelly Agius Pace's strike five minutes from time enabled a never-give-up Birkirkara side to grab another late draw. After falling to two early goals disadvantage, the Stripes showed a great character to end the match in a 2-2 draw against Hibernians.

After being down by two goals down after just fifteen minutes, many thought that Birkirkara would end up getting nothing from this match, as Hibernians were too superior at the early stages, making the best out of the Stripes' shaky defence. However, Birkirkara showed great character and with extreme resilience they managed to get the initiative of the game in their hands, and it was a well deserved late equaliser.

With this result of a draw, Birkirkara stay two points under Hibernians and three under Mosta, but the latter still have a game in hand.

The First Half

0' - Finding space in the defence, Hibernians made the best out of it and with a shot inside the box, they took the lead.

2' - ibernians almost made them two. It was a very fast action with the Hibernians forward beating the offside trap, lobbing over Janice Xuereb but the ball ended over by a bit.

5' - Birkirkara almost equalised. Off a short clearance from a corner kick by Rachel Cuschieri, Alishia Sultana's shot beat the goalkeeper but the ball hit the crossbar.

14' - Following a mistake and lack of communication between the Birkirkara defender and the goalkeeper, Hibernians forward lobbed over Xuereb to double Hibernians' lead.

17' - Birkirkara reduced the gap. Off a fine action by Kelly Agius Pace, Rachel Cuschieri hit home from close range.

21' - Hibernians had a shot ending wide.

33' - A fine through ball by Kim Parnis in direction of Gabriella Zahra seemed to be dangerous for the Hibernians' defence but goalkeeper Stephania Cremona anticipated well.

41' - Birkirkara almost grabbed the equalising goal. Off a fine through ball, Kelly Agius Pace lobbed over the goalkeeper, but was pressed by a defender and her header ended somehow wide.

44' - Rachel Cuschieri did the unthinkable. Following a long distance shot just after passing the middle of the field surprised Cremona but the ball ended over.

The First half, saw Hibernians dominating the early stages with the Stripes controlling the game in the latter part, and ended with Hibernians in a narrow 2-1 lead.

The Second Half

55' - Gabriella Zahra found herself in an ideal position but she concluded a bit late and Cremona blocked her effort. Off the rebound, Isabelle Mazzitelli's shot was also blocked by Cremona.

62' - Ylenia Carabott had a diagonal shot saved by Janice Xuereb.

81' - Janice Xuereb proved her great skills with an outstanding save following a freekick outside the box by Nora Agliano, a former Birkirkara player.

85' - Birkirkara scores the equalising goal. Off a perfect cross from the middle of the field by Rachel Cuschieri, Kelly Agius Pace met the ball perfectly to score an amazing strike by surprising Cremona for a well deserved draw.

Birkirkara: Janice Xuereb, Yasmeen Vella Maryrose Cardona, Stephania Farrugia, Kelly Agius Pace, Rachel Cuschieri, Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis, Alishia Sultana, Isabelle Mazzitelli, Martina Cilia.

Substitutes: Raina Giusti, Simone Buttigieg, Kelly Groves, Sacha Camilleri.

Hibernians: Stephanie Cremona, Rosalie Cauchi, Maria Azzopardi, Sheriane Zammit, Claire Sciberras, Charlene Zammit, Dionne Tonna, Eleonara Agliano, Ruth Steer Chetham, Ylenia Carabott.

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