Birkirkara pulled off a statement win in the women’s league after beating a resilient Mġarr United side 2-0, in the highlight game of Matchday 11.
The Stripes remain on top of the league with 27 points, five points distant from Swieqi United and Mġarr. Moreover, Birkirkara still have a game in hand which could potentially see them extend their lead to eight points.
Against the Greens, Birkirkara left it late as youth players Veronique Mifsud and Mariah Cardona scored twice in the final three minutes to hand three valuable points to the Stripes.
It was a well-fought contest between two rivals that had a lot at stake. Both coaches deployed their best possible formations with Birkirkara and Mġarr’s top scorers Raina Giusti (9) and Francesca Chircop (17) spearheading the offensive lines of their respective clubs.
Both strikers had clear-cut chances for their sides, but none of them managed to break the deadlock. Birkirkara’s goalkeeper Janice Xuereb was forced into action a couple of times to deny Rebecca Bajada and Yolande Attard whereas Patricia Ebejer, Mġarr’s custodian, blocked attempts from Tracy Teuma and Gabriella Zahra in the first 45 minutes.
After the break, Birkirkara started to pile up more pressure on Mġarr with goal-scoring opportunities dropping on the feet of Teuma, Christabel Oduro and Mifsud. Mġarr replied with skipper Brenda Borg, Amber Grech and Bajada but the game remained locked in a goalless stalemate.
Mġarr’s Borg almost put her side ahead but Birkirkara goalkeeper Xuereb pulled off a fantastic save to keep the Greens at bay.
The Greens’ chances came back to haunt them as in the closing stages of the game, Oduro whipped in a delightful ball into the box on which Mifsud capitalised for her sixth goal of the season. Young player Cardona wrapped up the win with a late lob over Ebejer for her first ever goal at senior level.
Swieqi joined Mġarr on 22 points after defeating Mtarfa 6-0. Six different scorers listed their name on the scoresheet with Demi Magrin scoring her ninth goal of the season to remain club’s top scorer. Charlene Zammit, Kayleigh Chetcuti, Jade Flask, Dorianne Theuma and Ruth Steer Chetham were the other scorers.
Meanwhile, Kirkop United managed to snatch three points in a hard-fought battle with Raiders Għargħur. Clinical striker Rodianne Zerafa reached the 12-goal tally with a brace for the Reds. Raiders pulled one back through a fantastic free-kick from close range by Maya Lucia but it was too late for them to salvage at least a point.
STANDINGS:
Birkirkara (9 games) 27 points.
Swieqi United (10) 22.
Mġarr United (10) 22.
Kirkop United (9) 15.
Raiders Għargħur (9) 6.
Mosta (9) 6.
Mtarfa (10) 0.
