by The Stripes delivered their biggest victory yet this season, a 13-0 deluge against Mtarfa, to extend their lead at the top before the holiday period. Ruth Steer-Chetham, Arianna Del Moral, Veronique Mifsud and Gabriella Zahra scored twice each. Marta Grosso, Stephania Farrugia, Caitlin Rogers, Sara Saliba and Amelia Vassallo completed the scoring with a goal apiece.
Team Selections
Birkirkara rolled back the years with Tonina Dimech taking the goalkeeper’s role between the sticks. Captain Stephania Farrugia started in a two-centre-back partnership with Caitlin Rogers, while Valentina Rapa and Ileana Farrugia provided the width. Gabriella Zahra protected the defence, while Veronique Mifsud was partnered with Amelia Vassallo further forward. Ruth Steer-Chetham led the attack, flanked by Arianna Del Moral and Marta Grosso.
Mtarfa’s captain Dorienne Grech returned in goal, protected by a back-four of Corinne Deguara, Darya Attard, Paula Ciappara and Elisa Azzopardi. Maria Abdilla started in midfield alongside Eliza Csik and Shania Spiteri, while Estelle Borg and Kerrie Ciappara occupied the wings. Rachel Sultana was the lone attacker.
Four Goals in Ten Minutes
Birkirkara were quick to find their groove with Ruth Steer Chetham placing home the first goal of the evening in the 7th minute. She was assisted by Marta Grosso who delivered a low cross, following a neat pass by Amelia Vassallo to release the Italian out wide.
Arianna Del Moral doubled the lead just three minutes later. Her inside run was well picked out by Gabriella Zahra, and the American finished with a low shot into the net. Although Veronique Mifsud looked to release Arianna Del Moral with a similar move just one minute later, Dorienne Grech was quickly off her line to collect.
Despite this Marta Grosso fired home the third goal in the 13th minute with Mtarfa unable to clear their lines. Gabriella Zahra headed home the fourth in the 16th minute from the byline, following a corner delivery which was flicked toward her.
Birkirkara Double Tally
Mtarfa managed to limit the damage for the next ten minutes. Veronique Mifsud had a shot blocked by Shania Spiteri, while the follow-up shot was well saved by Dorienne Grech. However, the Blues were unable to get past the half-way mark with Birkirkara continuously piling attacks.
Stephania Farrugia found the fifth in the 25th minute after deciding to leave her defensive post and join in on the attack. Marta Grosso earned herself another assist with a low cross for Birkirkara’s number five to roll into the left corner of the net. This time the Italian was looped into the attack by Veronique Mifsud.
Birkirkara’s goalkeeper Tonina Dimech was grateful to have play driven towards her half-an-hour into the match, calling her into action to make the first catch on a rather chilly evening.
However, attacks continued to be scarce at that end of the pitch. Dorienne Grech was called into action once more just a few seconds later, this time denying Ruth Steer-Chetham another goal.
Despite this, Veronique Mifsud made it six with a well-placed shot towards the far right corner in the 32nd minute. Birkirkara’s Caitlin Rogers fired the seventh into the roof of the net just three minutes later following a corner which was poorly cleared at the near post.
The eighth goal came just before half-time. Veronique Mifsud fired a shot from distance which Dorienne Grech saved, but dropped straight into the path of Marta Grosso. The Italian delivered a low cross toward Ruth Steer-Chetham who rolled it home from close range.
Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 8 – 0 Mtarfa
B’Kara Limited To One For Most Of Half
Both sides made changes at the break. Birkirkara’s Jose’ Borg gave captain Stephania Farrugia an early rest. She was replaced by Izabella Camilleri, with Gabriella Zahra taking the skipper’s armband. Mtarfa’s Simon Spiteri made a change in goal, bringing on Amy Mizzi instead of Dorienne Grech, while Eliza Csik assumed the captain’s role. Maria Abdilla was also replaced by Katya Camilleri who slotted in attack, while Rachel Sultana shifted into midfield.
Although Birkirkara looked to pick up where they left off, Mtarfa managed to hold them off in the opening stages following the break. The Blues surged on the counter in the 55th minute with Eliza Csik releasing Estelle Borg out wide. However, the youngster took one heavy touch which allowed Caitlin Rogers to recover possession.
That appeared to spark Birkirkara into life at the other end. Valentina Rapa delivered a cross into Ruth Steer-Chetham, but the striker was unable to get the shot away from close range, with Amy Mizzi collecting the loose ball instead. Mtarfa’s goalkeeper made another important block to save a long-range effort from Veronique Mifsud shortly after.
However, the Stripes found their ninth just after the hour mark. Marta Grosso won a free-kick which they took short, before Arianna Del Moral fired the goal into the near post.
Despite having a strong lead, Jose’ Borg added another attacker to the fold in the 67th minute. Sara Saliba made her third appearance for the Stripes in a span of a week, this time appearing from the bench in replacement of Marta Grosso. Ruth Steer-Chetham retreated into the attacking midfield role.
Simon Spiteri was also forced into his final change after Estelle Borg needed some treatment. Angele Fenech came on in her stead. To their credit the Blues continued fighting with Darya Attard and Paula Ciappara especially making important blocks to deny the Stripes. The Blues also cleared a chance off the line in the 75th minute, before Gabriella Zahra had a goal chalked off in the 77th minute.
B’Kara Finish Another Four In Ten
The Stripes went into another gear in the final ten minutes to deliver four more goals. Veronique Mifsud started the charge in the 81st minute, tapping home a cut-back from Sara Saliba.
Amelia Vassallo attempted shot from a corner but was denied by Amy Mizzi just a minute later. The goalkeeper saved an initial shot from Arianna Del Moral but Sara Saliba finished the loose pickings in the 84th minute for the eleventh goal.
The Stripes were awarded a penalty kick following a push on Sara Saliba in the box. Amelia Vassallo stepped up and fired decisively into the top left corner of the goal to make it twelve in the 86th minute. Gabriella Zahra was off-target with an earlier free-kick, but scored the thirteenth with a sublime strike from distance just before full-time.
Final Score: Birkirkara 13 – 0 Mtarfa
Standings & Next Matches
Birkirkara finish the year top of the table with a four-point lead over Swieqi United, and five over Mgarr United and Hibernians. Meanwhile, misery is compounded for Mtarfa who end the stint without points. The teams will now break for the holiday period before returning in the new year.
Birkirkara and Valletta will re-open proceedings on Thursday the 4th of January at the Centenary Stadium (20:15). Mtarfa return the following Saturday (6th) against Lija Athletic at 16:30 at Mgarr Ground.
Stay up to date by following The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
