by The Stripes secured a 3 – 1 victory against Valletta to secure three points at the opening of the third round. Momo Ueda gave Birkirkara an early lead, doubled by Kay Axiak. Ines Alina gave the Citizens a lifeline before the break, but Stephania Farrugia restored the two-goal cushion after the hour mark to close off proceedings.
Team Selections
Julia Zarb continued her stay in goal for Birkirkara. Selina Anima partnered captain Stephania Farrugia in defence, with Eunice Micallef and Haruhi Sekura holding the widths. Ylenia Grech accompanied Gabriella Zahra, with Momo Ueda pushing further forward. She was flanked by Lara May Azzopardi and Kay Axiak, while Patricia Lamanna was deployed as the lone attacker.
Meanwhile, Dorienne Grech started in goal for Valletta behind a shuffled quartet in Edera Marmara, Sarah Micallef, Ilona Sultana and Lorna-Maria Cassar. Shakira Bugeja anchored the midfield. Eliza Csik and captain Joelma Alves Gabriel orchestrated in the middle, while Liliana Cohete and Sarah Fenech occupied the flanks. Ines Alina spearheaded the attack.
How It Unfolded
Valletta hoped for a stronger start, but it was not upheld. Despite having been denied from a corner, Birkirkara were off celebrating inside the third minute. Momo Ueda found the bottom left corner of the net with a low drive from just outside the box. Dorienne Grech got fingertips on it but not enough to keep it out.
However, the Citizens were not down and out just yet. Birkirkara pushed forward in numbers, but found a Valletta side ready to try to make the counter-attack pay dividends. Despite this, early decisions proved frustrating, with the opportunities fizzling out in choice of pass or missed touches. The midfield was showing a presence, with Joelma Alves Gabriel, Eliza Csik and Shakira Bugeja all ready to put a foot in as Birkirkara looked to orchestrate, with medium success. However, the defence proved tough to beat early on.
At the other end, Birkirkara were ready to respond and looked set for the second as Kay Axiak lobbed to perfection to find the far right corner of the net in the 21st minute. However, she was denied by the offside flag.
Despite this, the youngster put herself on the scoresheet in much easier manner just two minutes later. Momo Ueda delivered the free-kick from midfield after Ylenia Grech had been brought down. Helped on by Stephania Farrugia at the near post, the ball travelled to Axiak who was ready to bury into the net.
The two goal-cushion looked set to be increased as Lara May Azzopardi continued to prove a handful on the right wing. She whipped another good ball into Patricia Lamanna. The Canadian rose at the near post, but looped it onto the crossbar.
The Stripes invited pressure late on in the half, and ultimately paid the price. Ines Alina blocked a clearance from Stephania Farrugia, with the ball ricocheting right into the path natural for the attacker to pounce. The French-born placed it low into the bottom right corner of the net to make her first start for the Citizens a memorable one in setting off the come-back in the 42nd minute.
Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 2 – 1 Valletta
Both coaches made a change at the break. Maia Gauci replaced Kay Axiak for Birkirkara, while Somaya Muscat swapped with Sarah Fenech.
Eyebrows were raised at Valletta’s intentions in the match as Ines Alina was discouraged from pushing them to get on with things by bringing the ball to goal to Birkirkara as they dawdled to get the match restarted from a goalkick early on.
The Stripes sought for the third, with Gabriella Zahra bringing a cross under control before hitting the left-footed effort. However, Dorienne Grech was equal to the shot.
However, at the other end, Valletta showed positivity with Shakira Bugeja winning the ball in midfield, before roping in Joelma Alves Gabriel and Eliza Csik. Somaya Muscat was found on the wing, who was ready to put the ball in the box. However, Liliana Cohete’s shot was well saved by Julia Zarb.
An open contest ensued once more as the hour mark elapsed with Luca Grech looking to play the advantage and keeping the ball in play for Birkirkara to strike on the counter. Dorienne Grech came out to get something on the ball from a diagonal intended for Maia Gauci. However, the youngster still picked up the pieces to find Momo Ueda, though the effort was well blocked.
Stephania Farrugia was called into action at the other end, with Eliza Csik and Joelma Alves Gabriel in combination once more. However, the Maltese defender was sharp to nip the attack as Alves Gabriel looked to get it onto her right foot for the shot.
Charlene Zammit brought on Stella Francalanza instead of Eunice Micallef, with Lara May Azzopardi shifting into the right-back position as the hour mark passed. Francalanza almost made the most of immediate impacts, with the opportunity to strike on goal, only to be denied by a deflection from Sarah Micallef.
However, the Stripes made the corner kick pay. Momo Ueda delivered toward Stephania Farrugia who rose to head it home in the 64th minute and restore the two-goal cushion, with the Birkirkara captain throwing a fist in the air in celebration.
The Stripes were forced into another change as Patricia Lamanna signalled the bench and limped off the pitch. Izabella Camilleri came on in her stead. A further change ensued as Ylenia Grech gave way to Krista Sacco for the final ten minutes, while Valletta’s captain Joelma Alves Gabriel was withdrawn with Hannah Fenech coming on instead.
Birkirkara continued to hold the major share of possession, with half-chances built but not enough to find more goals on the night. Ilona Sultana landed in the book late on after lashing out at a challenge from Izabella Camilleri.
Final Score: Birkirkara 3 – 1 Valletta
Next Matches & Standings
The Stripes hit the fifteen point mark with the victory. The final weekend of the calendar year will continue with a highly-anticipated clash this evening between league leaders Mgarr United and defending champions, Swieqi United. The two will meet at the Charles Abela Stadium following a change in venue. Hibernians and San Gwann will close off the competition for 2025 on Saturday at Dingli Ground at 18:00.
Fixtures beyond the Christmas break are yet to be announced.
Lead Image: Nicholas Falzon
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