Late goal gives Women's Team a dramatic win

by Ayrton Galea - 12th February 2015

Birkirkara FC Women's Team never-give-up attitude was rewarded five minutes from time, when in a dramatic ending, Kelly Agius Pace netted the winning goal to defeat Raiders 1-0, to keep the pace with leaders Hibernians FC.

It was a match that showed the improvement in Women's football, as both sides played their hearts out in a top-level match. The Stripes created a number of chances where they could have surged ahead, but the Raiders not only gave an outstanding performance at the back, but also had their own scoring opportunities.

With the Paolites defeating Kirkop United just before Birkirkara's match against Raiders, all the pressure was on the Stripes, who knew that only a win would do for them, but they handled the pressure and went on to win their match.

Birkirkara made some tactical adjustments from the 2-1 defeat against Mgarr United and fielded a 3-1-4-2 formation. Raina Giusti was benched, and Alishia Sultana took her place. Mariah Sciberras recovered in time from a foot injury.

The first-eleven selection featured Janice Xuereb defending the posts while Rebecca Chircop, Kim Parnis and Yasmeen Vella forming the three-line defence, with Melania Bajada deployed in front of them. The midfield was covered by Stephania Farrugia and Gabriella Zahra, while Maryrose Cardona and Alishia Sultana patrolled the wing-backs. The forward line featured Kelly Agius Pace and Martina Cilia.

The First Half

Despite starting the match with the wind blowing against them, the Stripes could have surged ahead after five minutes. Martina Cilia served Stephania Farrugia who sent Kelly Agius Pace through, but she missed the target in front of goalkeeper Sonia Farrugia.

The Stripes threatened again as Agius Pace and Farrugia combined well once again, ten minutes later. Farrugia penetrated the defence by lobbing the ball in the path of Agius Pace, but the latter's first-time finish missed the target.

Raiders threatened after twenty minutes when they got past the Birkirkara defenders but Rodianne Zerafa had her shot missing the target. Three minutes later, on the other side of the pitch, Gabriella Zahra had a free-kick saved by the goalkeeper.

The Stripes pushed harder but they could not break the solid Raiders' defence and the referee's half-time whistle found both sides heading to their dressing room in a goal-less draw.

The Second Half

With forty-five minutes left to save their skins, the Stripes came out with all guns blazing, and hardly a minutes into the second half, Stephania Farrugia had a powerful strike from distance turned into a corner by goalkeeper Farrugia.

Seven minutes into the second half, Birkirkara made the first substitution as Raina Giusti replaced Yasmeen Vella. Giusti's inclusion strengthened the forward-line, as she joined Agius Pace in attack while Alishia Sultana was deployed in Vella's position.

Giusti was quickly involved in the action, when on the fifty-sixth minute, after collecting a free-kick from the back, she served Martina Cilia who had her shot turned into a corner kick. Two minutes later, Melania Bajada had a direct free-kick tipped into a corner-kick by Farrugia.

The Stripes continued to assault their opponents and Raiders were struggling to keep the pace. Just past the hour-mark, Raina Giusti delivered a second post corner kick which was mistimed by goalkeeper Farrugia, only for Cilia to see her header ending over the bar.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Emma Xuereb had a shot parried by goalkeeper Janice Xuereb and a minute later, Raiders had the illusion of taking the lead, when cutting from the left, Rodianne Zerafa had an in-swinging strike scratching past the far post, with Xuereb beaten.

The Stripes reacted brilliantly a minute later, when Agius Pace beat the offside trap, but failed her attempt to dribble past goalkeeper Sonia, who once again was the protagonist of keeping the score level.

In Birkirkara's second substitution, Alishia Sultana who was unable to continue playing, as replaced by Mariah Sciberras on the eighty-third minute.

With just five minutes remaining, Kim Parnis got behind the defence to serve Kelly Agius Pace on the run, who hit home to the joy of the Birkirkara clan.

Raiders, were left with nothing more to lose, and in a desperate attempt, Emma Xuereb almost equalised with a shot from inside the box, but her effort went wide.

Stephania Farrugia and Kim Parnis were deployed at the back in the final few minutes and the Stripes held strong, and they will face Hibernians in next week's top of the table clash with morale sky high.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Yasmeen Vella (52' Raina Giusti), Rebecca Chircop, Kim Parnis, Alishia Sultana (83' Mariah Sciberras), Maryrose Cardona, Melania Bajada, Stephania Farrugia, Gabriella Zahra, Martina Cilia, Kelly Agius Pace.

RAIDERS: Sonia Farrugia, Rebecca Vella, Andy Zammit, Chantelle Grech, Tracy Theuma, Ann-marie Said, Joselene Gafa, Emma Xuereb, Nora Agliano, Corissa Vella White, Rodianne Zerafa (65' Michelle Zuber).

Yellow Cards: Kelly Agius Pace (Birkirkara), Chantelle Grech (Raiders).

Scorers: 85' Kelly Agius Pace.

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