by Birkirkara displayed their firepower with a 9 – 1 victory against San Gwann. The Stripes took an early lead and never looked back with Mariah Cardona and Momo Ueda both delivering a brace. Amy Busuttil, Ylenia Grech, Haruhi Sekura, Maia Gauci and Lara May Azzopardi completed the scoring for the Stripes, while Morena Fanega got the consolation goal for San Gwann late on.
Team Selections
Janice Xuereb continued to hold the starting spot between the posts for Birkirkara. Eunice Micallef and Haruhi Sekura started on the flanks, while captain Stephania Farrugia and Izabella Camilleri continued in the centre of defence. Gabriella Zahra started in midfield alongside Amy Busuttil, with Ylenia Grech operating further forward. Izabella Stringer and Mariah Cardona operated on the wing, with Momo Ueda leading the attack.
Geona Muscat started in goal for San Gwann behind a back-three consisting of Sabrin Blihi, Lisa Vella and Kirstie Vella. Naila Addo and Rabab Mhalli started on the wings. Rhea Borg and captain Annabelle Rapa started in front of the defence, with Morena Fanega and Hailey Russell pulling the strings behind Rodianne Zerafa in attack.
How It Unfolded
Birkirkara nudged themselves into the lead inside the fourth minute. Mariah Cardona headed home a cross from Haruhi Sekura inside the six-yard box into a gaping net.
The Stripes sought for further control, inching the possession percentage in their favour. San Gwann did not allow themselves to be bullied early on, but the link in the final third continued to elude with a disjoint forming between the attack and the team as the half wore on.
Birkirkara had to be patient to add to their tally, positive in creation but also finding the finishes elusive. Eunice Micallef delivered two deep deliveries with Momo Ueda and Mariah Cardona neither able to get the right touch to convert. Gabriella Zahra was next to thread an intelligent pass to release Momo Ueda who continued to show great movement between the lines. However, the shot lacked the power to trouble Geona Muscat at the near post.
Having shown their patience, the Stripes found two goals in quick succession close to the half-hour mark. Amy Busuttil rose to head home a powerful finish into the net from a corner delivery from Momo Ueda. Ylenia Grech made it three with an effort from range that landed into the bottom left corner of the net to open her scoring account with the Stripes.
Mariah Cardona made it four in the 38th minute, with a header at the far post converting Eunice Micallef’s cross.
Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 4 – 0 San Gwann
Changes ensued from both sides at the break. Maia Gauci replaced Izabella Stringer on the wing for Birkirkara. Naomi Blundell replaced Sabrin Blihi in defence for San Gwann. Naila Addo also gave way to Fatma Al Girbi, with the latter taking a place in midfield while Annabelle Rapa shifted wide.
Birkirkara were off celebrating again with another delightful long-range effort from Haruhi Sekura in the 50th minute to make it five.
Billy Mock reacted with a double switch, handing Selina Anima a debut in defence, replacing Izabella Camilleri, while Kay Axiak also took to the pitch in midfield instead of Ylenia Grech.
However, the duo had to wait to really get into things, with a power cut taking hold of the stadium for fifteen minutes.
Further changes ensued on the restart with Thais Muscat replacing Lisa Vella for San Gwann, while Lara May Azzopardi took to the field instead of Eunice Micallef.
San Gwann’s Hailey Russell managed to fire off an effort from distance, but could not trouble Janice Xuereb. At the other end Birkirkara continued to inflict further damage.
Stephania Farrugia won the ball in midfield, with the skipper charging forward before playing Momo Ueda behind in the defence. Ueda placed a left-footed effort into the far side of the goal to make it six in the 80th minute. She was off celebrating again three minutes later, dribbling the goalkeeper in the box before placing home the finish.
Further changes ensued from both sides. Nilayza Attard replaced Rodianne Zerafa for San Gwann. Estelle Borg also made a late appearance instead of Rhea Borg. Birkirkara’s Krista Sacco swapped with Haruhi Sekura. Billy Mock shifted to a back-three with the team continuing to find success in front of goal.
Momo Ueda found Maia Gauci’s run in space on the wing. She was next to find the mark with a looping effort from the right side of the box into the far corner of the net. Lara May Azzopardi made it nine with another long range effort from the wing just before normal time expired.
Despite facing a tough score, San Gwann pressed back a consolation goal with Morena Fanega also showing her accuracy from distance to ruin Birkirkara’s clean sheet. The Argentinian fired an effort from the left side of the box to find the far right corner to finish off the night.
Final Score: Birkirkara 9 – 1 San Gwann
Next Matches
Birkirkara secure the place in the semi-final, where they will meet Hibernians on the 14th November at the Centenary Stadium at 20:00.
However, the two will meet this Thursday as the Assikura Women’s League returns. Kick off will be at 20:15 at the Centenary Stadium, with Birkirkara having an opportunity to level terms with the Paolites with a win.
San Gwann will return to league action on Friday, meeting Swieqi United at the Victor Tedesco Stadium at 20:30.
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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