Joint-leaders Birkirkara, Mġarr eye win to march on in their women’s title quest

MFA Women’s League leaders Birkirkara and Mġarr United will launch the second round of the season as they will be eyeing another victory to march on in their title quest.

After last week’s final slate of fixtures of the first round, Birkirkara and Mġarr United have opened a six-point lead over third place Swieqi United as the title race seems destined for a two-horse race.

Birkirkara were propelled to victory thanks to 14-year-old Lexine Farrugia who scored a hat-trick and helped the Stripes beat Swieqi 3-1. It was the fifth hat-trick registered by any player in the first round of this campaign.

The Stripes, chasing their tenth women’s title in their history, will face debutants San Ġwann who have only point so far – registered against Mtarfa in a goalless draw.

In the first round, Birkirkara broke little sweat to beat San Ġwann 9-0.

Mġarr, on their part, are at the back of a 3-0 win against San Ġwann which helped them remain at the top of the league alongside Birkirkara.

Under the new guidance of coach Michael Mangion, Mġarr have won five of their six league games and held Birkirkara to 0-0 draw. So far, they are the only team that is yet to conceded a single goal in this campaign with goalkeeper Patricia Ebejer extending her clean sheet record to 630 minutes.

Mġarr will meet Kirkop United, who have six points after the first round of games. The Greens emerged winners 4-0 when these two teams met on the opening day of the season with current league’s top scorer Francesca Chircop scoring a hat-trick.

Wednesday’s matchup will see Raiders Lija and Mtarfa take on each other at the Centenary Stadium.

Led by coach Denis Guerra, Raiders have had a bright start to the season as they are level on 10 points with Swieqi United in third place, thanks also to a surprising 0-0 draw against the Oranges.

In last week’s Matchday 7, Raiders defeat Kirkop 2-0 to open a four-point gap between them and the Reds. Leah Ayres, who joined Raiders from Mosta prior to this season, has already found the net four times for the club.

On the other hand, Mtarfa are currently bottom of the table with one point gained in a 0-0 draw against San Ġwann.

Raiders claimed the spoils with a 5-0 victory when these two teams played each other in the opening day of the season.

THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES

TUESDAY – 20.30
San Ġwann vs Birkirkara, Mġarr Ground
Kirkop United vs Mġarr United, Centenary Stadium

WEDNESDAY – 20.30
Raiders Lija vs Mtarfa, Centenary Stadium

MD8 bye: Swieqi United.

Photo: Tonio Magro.