Birkirkara edge Hibernians to maintain six-point lead in women’s league

Birkirkara secured a narrow victory over Hibernians to preserve their six-point lead at the top of the Assikura Women’s League.

Second-place Swieqi hit San Ġwann for six to keep their slim title hopes alive while Yulya Carella’s hat-trick inspired Mġarr United to a 5-0 win over Raiders Lija.

The Stripes opened a two-goal lead inside the first seven minutes of the game through Charlene Zammit and Stephania Farrugia.

Jose Borg’s side added a third in the second half when Gabriella Zahra capitalised on a well-engineered positive transition.

Hibernians managed to pull one back through Yolande Attard who was teed up by Nicole Sciberras before firing past Janice Xuereb.

Xuereb was once again beaten in the closing stages of the game by substitute Kayleigh Chetcuti as Birkirkara conceded twice in a single game for the first time this season.

Despite their brave performance, Hibernians are now in fourth place trailing Mġarr by one point after the Greens eased past Raiders Lija.

Michael Mangion’s side can cement the third place with a victory over Mtarfa on Friday which would see them open a four-point lead above Hibernians.

Francesca Chircop opened the score for the Greens in the first half. Raiders Lija were handed a golden opportunity to restore parity in the second half but Leah Ayres failed to convert a penalty, denied by goalkeeper Patricia Ebejer.

From then onwards, the Greens scored four goals without reply with Carella notching three and Kelly Agius Pace adding another one.

Meanwhile, Ghana international Salamatu Abdulai scored twice as Swieqi defeated San Ġwann 6-0.

Jade Schembri, Rafanny Mendoza, Mariah Sciberras and Shona Zammit were the other scorers for the Owls as they remain second, trailing leaders Birkirkara by six goals.

STANDINGS – AFTER MD18

BIRKIRKARA – 41 POINTS
SWIEQI UNITED – 35
MĠARR UNITED – 26
HIBERNIANS – 25
RAIDERS LIJA – 22
SAN ĠWANN – 3
MTARFA – 3