Women's Team dash Hibs' hopes and move ten points clear

by Ayrton Galea - 15th February 2017

Birkirkara FC Women's Team produced a magnificent performance to beat Hibernians FC with a 2-1 score in the BOV Women's First Division League and move ten points clear on top of the table with just six matches to go.

The Stripes made a significant step towards winning their sixth title after an absence of three years when they won their third consecutive direct clash against Hibernians to move in the driving seat position of winning the title. The Stripes now need three victories in their last six matches.

It was a deserved victory for the Stripes who remained unbeaten after fourteen matches. They showed excellent composure, tactical discipline and, above all, resolute defending to repel everything that came to their way and confirm why they are the best defence with least goals conceded in the league.

While having the best defence in the league, the Stripes gave a confirmation of their lethal forward. Alishia Sultana fired the Stripes ahead nine minutes from half-time while in-form Kelly Agius Pace doubled the lead to increase her tally of finding the net in the last four matches.

Coach Shawn Meilak fielded a 4-1-4-1 formation and made two changes from the last match. Captain Stephania Farrugia and Alishia Sultana replaced Cassie Camilleri and Leanne Micallef.

The First Half

Both teams had an early scoring chance. After six minutes, Gabriella Zahra served Kelly Agius Pace who drifted well inside the box but her shot went wide. On the other hand, Hibernians had a diagonal shot missing the target.

The Stripes began to show better football and they went close on the twenty-second minute. The towering midfielder, Gabriella Zahra, hit an uprising drive that forced goalkeeper Sonia Farrugia to save with difficulty in two attempts.

Kelly Agius Pace and Raina Giusti switched positions and this change left the desired result when Birkirkara went ahead nine minutes from half-time.

Giusti, now playing as the central forward, picked possession and switched the ball towards Alishia Sultana who had her first attempt cleared off the goal-line but hit a powerful strike home from the rebound. For the rapid winger, this was her second goal in the last four matches.

Hibernians were stunned. They knew the uphill struggle they were about to face to break down Birkirkara's solid defence and their only chance before half-time came on the forty-second minute when substitute Corissa Vella hit the side netting with a fine shot.

 
The Second Half

With only fourty-five minutes to turn the result, Hibernians went out with all guns blazing in the second half. Defender Yasmeen Vella was the protagonist to keep Birkirkara's lead after four minutes when Ylenia Carabott caught goalkeeper Xuereb out of position but her shot was cleared off the goal-line by Vella.

The Paolites continued to pile-up the pressure and went close once again on the hour mark. Corissa Vella was found in a good position as she advanced forward but with only Janice Xuereb to beat, the Birkirkara goalkeeper produced an excellent save to turn her shot into safety.

Birkirkara capitalised of the spaces that Hibs left in defence with the second goal on the sixty-third minute. Tracy Teuma, producing a tireless performance in the heart of midfield, served Kelly Agius Pace who advanced and had her first attempt blocked by the goalkeeper. However, from the rebound, the Birkirkara forward kept her cool and drilled home.

Hibernians now were all-out by putting more numbers up-front. However, fortune didn't change much as their forwards looked to be in the Birkirkara defenders' pockets who struggled to break-through.

The collective display of the Stripes was evident in every department of the pitch. Taking the shape of a 4-5-1 formation, Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis and Tracy Teuma were having a brilliant performance in the heart of midfield. Wingers Sultana and substitute Sonia Schembri were closing the gaps well while Agius Pace remained a threat up-front.

The Paolites reduced the gap nine minutes from time when Ylenia Carabott lobbed over Xuereb to give her side some fresh hopes. However, despite Hibernians putting everything forward, Birkirkara remained calm and held strong for a vital victory to increase their lead on top to ten points.

BIRKIRKARA: Janice Xuereb, Mariah Sciberras, Yasmeen Vella, Ann-Marie Said, Stephania Farrugia, Gabriella Zahra, Kim Parnis, Tracy Teuma, Raina Giusti (66' Sonia Schembri), Alishia Sultana, Kelly Agius Pace (90+1' Sarah Urpani).

Yellow Cards: 84' Charlene Zammit (Hibernians).

Scorers: 36' Alishia Sultana, 63' Kelly Agius Pace (Birkirkara), 81' Ylenia Carabott (Hibernians).

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