Birkirkara Power Past Mgarr United

The Stripes continued to pile further misery on the Greens with a 4-0 victory. Veronique Mifsud and Marta Grosso each grabbed a brace, while teeing each other up for a goal apiece. Alishia Sultana grabs the other assist, while the defensive unit enjoys another clean sheet. The absence of coach Michael Mangion from the Greens’ dugout underpinned the ongoings in the match.

Team Selections

Birkirkara’s Janice Xuereb started in goal protected by captain Stephania Farrugia and Charlene Zammit. Alishia Sultana and Ann-Marie Said protected the flanks. Caitlin Rogers started in the holding midfield role, while Gabriella Zahra partnered Veronique Mifsud further forward. Francesca Chircop led the line flanked by Arianna Del Moral and Marta Grosso.

There was no Michael Mangion, nor Neville Cassar in the dugout for the Greens, with Ryan Vella and Patrick Curmi acting in their stead, fuelling rumours of the coaches’ departures. Mgarr United’s Patricia Ebejer continued her stay in goal. Leanne Cefai made her first start in the campaign since returning from injury, alongside captain Maia Debono. Anastasia Sivolobova shifted to the right-back role, while Abigail Camilleri continued her stay on the left. Luana Vitoria Cabral and Chantelle Grech started in a double pivot behind Brenda Borg. Yulya Carella and Rebecca Bajada provided the width, while Joelma Alves Gabriel was the lone attacker.

Birkirkara Break The Deadlock

It was Mgarr United who delivered the first shot, through Joelma Alves Gabriel who pounced on a loose ball. However, Janice Xuereb was well positioned to collect. At the other end, Birkirkara were getting frustrated by the offside trap.

Although the Greens started with a spring of attacking fervour, Birkirkara were looking to pick their opportunities, which they did with incision and explosive pace. It paid dividends for them to break the deadlock in the 14th minute. Stephania Farrugia surged up the pitch to start the attack before finding Marta Grosso on the flank. The Italian burst forward before crossing to Veronique Mifsud at the near post, who slotted a low finish into the near corner.

The battle between Alishia Sultana and Yulya Carella started to heat up the left flank, with the duo leaving their mark on each other. A key battle was also developing in the heart of the midfield with Caitlin Rogers holding her own to deny key passes from Mgarr United, while Luana Vitoria Cabral and Chantelle Grech were keen on letting their opponents know of their presence.

Although a number of fouls ensued, neither side were able to capitalise on dead-ball situations from midfield. Marta Grosso managed to strike a ball sweetly but pulled it wide, before Patricia Ebejer later punched a ball away to safety from another delivery. At the other end Joelma Alves Gabriel struck straight into Janice Xuereb’s gloves.

Meanwhile, the Stripes were continuing to have joy on the flanks, with Marta Grosso managing a cross to Arianna Del Moral. However, the American’s shot was blocked by Abigail Camilleri.

Mgarr United’s Brenda Borg and Joelma Alves Gabriel’s attempts to play quick football was thwarted effectively by the Stripes. Forced to go long, Yulya Carella’s pace was outwitted by Stephania Farrugia who shielded the ball to safety untroubled more than once.

The Greens’ were forced into an early change with Joelma Alves Gabriel unable to continue having taken a knock earlier in the match. She was replaced by Rodiana Borg, which pushed Yulya Carella into the central attacking position.

Mifsud Doubles The Score

Birkirkara grew in possession and appeared to have found their second in the 40th minute, but Marta Grosso’s finish was denied by the offside flag. Despite this, the league leaders continued on their charge in search for more, with Veronique Mifsud and Francesca Chircop linking well to get the latter behind the line. However, Leanne Cefai made a crucial challenge to throw off the striker and win the goal-kick too. The defender’s anticipation denied Birkirkara’s attacks more than once as the Greens’ sought to stay in the match.

However, Veronique Mifsud took away any opportunity for the defence to get involved. Commanding acres of space in midfield, the number fourteen thundered a shot from distance to double lead and her own tally in the 44th minute, continuing the trend of spectacular goals for the weekend started by Swieqi United’s Shona Zammit and Jessica Dimech on Thursday.

Arianna Del Moral looked to create something after recovering possession from a loose clearance, but her strike found only Patricia Ebejer’s gloves. The Greens had an opportunity to work a set-piece in their favour. However, Charlene Zammit dealt with Maia Debono’s delivery, before Chantelle Grech sent the follow-shot over the bar.

Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 2 – 0 Mgarr United

Birkirkara Extend

The league leaders were in no mood to stop their scoring spree. Gabriella Zahra switched play effectively toward Marta Grosso who linked with Ann-Marie Said. However, the latter’s delivery was collected by Patricia Ebejer. Alishia Sultana was next to dart forward before finding Arianna Del Moral. However, her attempt to find the bottom left corner flew just wide.

Having knocked on the door, the Stripes found the third in the 50th minute. Veronique Mifsud won possession and was quick to deliver an incisive pass to release Marta Grosso. The Italian first-timed a side-foot at the ball to send it into the far right corner of the goal for the third of the night.

The Greens attempted to string together a spell of possession, with Brenda Borg managing to release Yulya Carella a few minutes later. However, the striker was forced wide and Janice Xuereb blocked the shot well. Carella attempted to rope in Anastasia Sivolobova with a cut-back but the low strike was also saved by the Stripes’ goalkeeper.

Luana Vitoria Cabral and Chantelle Grech were still hard at work to try to limit the Stripes from commanding the midfield, while the Greens retreated further back. Grech managed to win a free-kick with a chance to put the ball into the box. However, Gabriella Zahra headed away to safety untroubled. Stephania Farrugia’s attempt to release the Stripes on a counter-attack was thwarted by Abigail Camilleri.

The Stripes’ skipper had the opportunity to make it four from a corner but got underneath the header. Birkirkara almost created a goal exactly mirroring their third, as Charlene Zammit found Gabriella Zahra in midfield who immediately released Francesca Chircop. However, Patricia Ebejer was quickly off her line to snuff out the attack. The side had another major chance in the 70th minute as Marta Grosso found herself in space again on the flank. However, the shot was cleared from the goalmouth by Anastasia Sivolobova.

With the scoreline comfortably in their favour, Jose’ Borg engaged in a number of substitutions. Edith Garcia Falero, Sara Saliba, Ileana Farrugia and Valentina Rapa all made appearances from the bench. Meanwhile, Mgarr United were forced into another change due to injury to Rebecca Bajada injury. She was replaced by Sarah Fenech, who slotted in attack while Yulya Carella occupied the right wing position.

The Stripes continued searching for more and found the fourth in the 81st minute. Marta Grosso completely lost her marker at the far post to double her tally for the night by tapping home Alishia Sultana’s cross.

Mgarr United responded with another change, giving an early rest to Leanne Cefai, who was replaced by Mirayah Aquilina. The Greens’ number four slotted as the right-back, pushing Anastasia Sivolobova into the centre of the defence. Jose’ Borg also opted to bring on Amelia Vassallo in replacement of Veronique Mifsud.

The Greens’ night showed no signs of improving as Brenda Borg’s attempts to find attackers grew more unsuccessful. A cross intended for Yulya Carella at the far post fizzed ahead of the number eleven, before an overcooked a pass saw an opportunity to release Sarah Fenech on the wing fade away.

At the other end, the Stripes had a final opportunity as Alishia Sultana beat two markers with one turn, but pulled her low shot just wide of the mark.

Final Score: Birkirkara 4 – 0 Mgarr United

Standings & Next Matches

Birkirkara take their tally to 37 points to maintain a four point advantage over nearest rivals Swieqi United. Mgarr United find themselves eleven points adrift the top of the table at the end of round two and could be six points adrift of Hibernians by the end of the weekend depending on the latter’s encounter against bottom-side Mtarfa.

The two sides will meet again next Thursday as they kick-off the final round of the league at the Centenary Stadium, KO 20:15. Before then, there are two final matches to be played out today as Hibernians face Mtarfa (14:00), followed by San Gwann against Valletta (16:30) at Mgarr Ground.

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