Birkirkara stay perfect as Swieqi move second

Birkirkara maintained their perfect record in this season’s campaign with their 10th consecutive victory after beating Kirkop United 4-1, at the Centenary Stadium.

Meanwhile, Swieqi United are now sole on second place after defeating Mġarr United 4-0 in the highlight clash of the week. While the Oranges have moved to 25 points, the Greens have now slipped to third on 22.

The Stripes remain on top with 30 points, five points clear of Swieqi and with a game in hand.

For their Kirkop tie, Birkirkara coach Melania Bajada made one change from last week’s game against Mġarr with Mariah Cardona replacing Michela Felice.

Birkirkara dominated proceedings but chances from Alishia Sultana and Veronique, both hitting the woodwork, and from Christabel Oduro and Raina Giusti were all in vain.

After surviving a scare following a Rodianne Zerafa’s clear-cut chance, Birkirkara scored twice just before half-time through Giusti’s 10th goal of the season – club’s top scorer – and Oduro, her seventh of the season.

At the restart, Birkirkara extended their lead thanks to Veronique Mifsud’s seventh goal of the season, whose thumping volley stunned Kirkop’s goalkeeper.

Fifteen minutes from time, Kirkop were given a lifeline when clinical forward Zerafa netted her 13th goal of the season before Birkirkara managed to struck a fourth and wrap up the win through Yasmeen Vella’s first goal of the season.

In their victory over Mġarr, Swieqi opened a three-goal lead in the opening half. Emma Xuereb scored her fourth goal of the season before a delightful lob by skipper Dorianne Theuma made it 2-0 – her seventh goal of this championship. Just before the half-time whistle, Ruth Steer Chetham sealed the win with her fifth goal in this campaign.

In the second-half, Keith Gouder’s side scored a fourth through a Shona Zammit long-range effort, as she found her third strike of the season.

Elsewhere, Raiders Għargħur defeated Mosta 4-0 in a game where both teams sent a powerful message against racism following the incidents in their recent U-19’s encounter.

Read: Mosta FC and Raiders Għargħur players take a knee to send strong anti-racism message.

In fact, both sets of players took the pitch wearing anti-racism shirt before they held a banner which said: “Not In My Game No To Racism”

A Sarah Caruana goal, her first of the season, paved the way for Raiders’ victory. Michela Bonello Ghio netted a second for Raiders, joining fellow team-mate Leanne Micallef on three seasonal goals as the latter made it 3-0. At the end, Anna Aloisio opened her account this season with the fourth goal.

STANDINGS:

Birkirkara (10 games) 30 points.
Swieqi United (11) 25.
Mġarr United (11) 22.
Kirkop United (10) 15.
Raiders Għargħur (10) 9.
Mosta (10) 6.
Mtarfa (10) 0.

Photo: Jeffrick Cachia/Swieqi United