Top of the table clash as Birkirkara, Swieqi meet in women’s league

The second round of the 2022/2023 Assikura Women’s League promises to be a very important one for the fate of this season’s title race.

Leaders Swieqi United – 14 points in six games – take on reigning champions Birkirkara, who have picked up 11 points in five outings.

The Stripes, however, would have potentially been joint-leaders with the Owls if last Tuesday’s game against San Ġwann had not been abandoned due to the bad weather that hit the Maltese islands.

Led by Jose Borg, Birkirkara were leading by four goals before the match official stopped the game just after the break.

Judith Kuiper’s Swieqi are in high spirits after two straight victories against Hibernians (3-0) and Raiders Lija (4-0) which propelled them into top position with a staggering goal difference of +30.

In the reverse fixture, Swieqi had denied Birkirkara thanks to Dorianne Theuma’s 400th goal in a thrilling 1-1 draw.

Alishia Sultana had drawn first blood for the Stripes in that opening day encounter, at the Centenary Stadium.

In the other two games of the week, Mġarr United face San Ġwann while Hibernians will rub shoulders with Mtarfa.

Michael Mangion’s Mġarr defeated Mtarfa 6-0 last week to chalk up their third win of the season.

They sit third with 10 points, level with Raiders who will be serving a bye in this week’s slate of fixtures.

On the other hand, San Ġwann – coached by Jean Paul Attard – are still looking for their first points of the season after five outings.

The Paolites, under the guidance of Keith Gouder, served a bye last week and return in action to launch their second round commitments.

They have registered three victories in their opening six games of the season including a 7-0 win over Mtarfa, whom they face in this week’s game.

Simon Spiteri’s Mtarfa have picked up one victory in the first round – a stoppage time win over San Ġwann on Matchday 6.

THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES

TUESDAY

Birkirkara vs San Ġwann – Centenary Stadium, 20.00

WEDNESDAY

Mġarr United vs San Ġwann – Centenary Stadium, 20.00

Hibernians vs Mtarfa – Mġarr Ground, 20.30

MD8 bye: Raiders Lija.