Women's Team beat Hibernians to take sole leadership

by Ayrton Galea - 26th October 2016

A brilliant Birkirkara FC Women's Team took sole leadership in the BOV Women's First Division League, when a penalty converted by Stephania Farrugia was enough to hold strong for a narrow 1-0 victory over Hibernians FC.

In a tight contest between the main title contenders, the Stripes emerged as winners following undoubtedly their best performance this season which saw them cancelling Hibernians' efforts as the Stripes kept their fourth consecutive clean-sheet as from many matches.

Birkirkara scored the all important goal ten minutes inside the second half as Stephania Farrugia converted a penalty. Hibernians piled-up the pressure but they couldn't break the resilient Birkirkara defence who were on top form encouraged by the form of goalkeeper Janice Xuereb who produced a string of fine saves to remain unbeaten after four matches.

Coach Shawn Meilak fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation and made one change from last week's victory against Kirkop United as Leanne Micallef replaced the unavailable Simone Buttigieg. Under-17's Team player Maria Fenech was called-up for the first time this season.

Thanks to this victory, the Stripes are leading the table with ten points, one point over Hibernians; three points Mgarr United, four over Kirkop United and nine points over Raiders and Gozo respectively.

The First Half

The opening minutes of the first-half was short of goal scoring opportunities as both teams seemed to be more concerned on avoiding an early goal rather than putting their noises in front.

The first scoring chance, which was created Hibernians, arrived after twenty minutes when off a free-kick from the right, Dionne Tonna's header was blocked by goalkeeper Xuereb by the aid of the upright before the Birkirkara defenders cleared into safety.

Birkirkara responded immediately as just a minute later, Kelly Agius Pace, one of the best players on the field, showed great skill to dribble past defender Tonna and sent an excellent through-ball to the on running Leanne Micallef but her fine shot was blocked by goalkeeper Sonia Farrugia.

Coach Shawn Meilak was forced to make his first substitution on the thirty-seventh minute when Leanne Micallef suffered an ankle injury and she was unable to continue playing. Sonia Schembri replaced Micallef as a right-winger.

In the last action of the first-half, Hibernians were unlucky not to take the lead when Martina Borg profited from a loose ball outside the box and struck a powerful shot that smashed against the crossbar, as the scored remained unchanged.

The Second Half

For the start of the second half, Meilak deployed substitute Schembri as a left-back while Alishia Sultana was advanced as right-winger as the Birkirkara Coach sought to increase the pressure on the Hibernians rear-guard.

The Stripes went out with all guns blazing as they were quick to put Hibernians under pressure. Eighth minutes inside the second half, Kelly Agius Pace's high pressing saw her winning possession of Charlene Zammit inside the box but her shot was well-saved by goalkeeper Farrugia.

Birkirkara remained all over their opponents and they surged ahead two minutes later. It was owed once again on the fine technique of Agius Pace who dashed inside the box past two Hibernians defenders before she was floored by Jade Flask. The referee ordered the penalty and Stephania Farrugia made no mistake to put the Stripes ahead.

The Stripes seemed to double the score on the fifty-eight minute when Raina Giusti placed the ball at the back of the net after winning possession but the goal was ruled out as the assistant referee adjudicated the ball didn't go out of the Hibernians box from the goal-kick.

One goal down and seemed to be down and out, Hibernians Coach Jesmond Zammit introduced Dorianne Theuma off Corissa Vella. The skills of Theuma were quickly clear to see as she struck a wonderful direct free-kick on seventy-third minute which was well blocked by goalkeeper Xuereb.

The Birkirkara goalkeeper, Janice Xuereb, proved her rich form on the day five minutes later when substitute Theuma hit a wonderful curling strike that saw Xuereb diving full stretch to block her attempt as the Stripes held strong for a very satisfactory victory.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Alishia Sultana, Ann-Marie Said, Stephania Farrugia, Yasmeen Vella, Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis, Tracy Teuma (82' Isabelle Mazzitelli), Raina Giusti (71' Mariah Sciberras), Leanne Micallef (37' Sonia Schembri), Kelly Agius Pace (90' Sarah Urpani).

Yellow Cards: 47' Charlene Zammit (Hibernians).

Scorers: 55' Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara).

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