by Two late goals completed a 3-0 victory for Birkirkara against Hibernians, who capitalise on Swieqi United’s defeat at the hands of Mgarr United. The Stripes were handed the lead in the opening half following an own goal. A late stunner by Stephania Farrugia, was backed up by a goal from Alishia Sultana to ultimately hand the Stripes a confident scoreline.
Team Selections
Hibernians’ Zeeyana Jivraj retained her place between the sticks, protected by an unchanged defence in Chloe Ellul, Natalee Geren, Amy Busuttil and Kiley Norkus. Nicole Sciberras and Kayleigh Chetcuti protected the defence. Captain Martina Borg started in the number ten position, flanked by Sarah Urpani and Alexis Espitia. Yolande Attard was the central attacker.
Meanwhile, Birkirkara’s Janice Xuereb continued her stay in goal behind the quadruple of Ann-Marie Said, captain Stephania Farrugia, Charlene Zammit and Valentina Rapa. Caitlin Rogers protected the defence, with Marta Grosso and Veronique Mifsud continuing to create the attacks. Sara Saliba was the central striker, flanked by Alishia Sultana and Arianna Del Moral.
Lacklustre Opening
There was little to get excited about in the early stages, with Birkirkara enjoying most of the possession but not able to convert it into any major chances. The two sides had a number of corners but neither was unable to use them to any real effect. There were a few individuals trying to spark some life into the match, Nicole Sciberras being one for Hibernians, while Alishia Sultana was lively on the wing for Birkirkara, but to little avail.
One major opporutnity was created just over the half-hour mark as Ann-Marie Said crossed toward Sara Saliba. The striker rose well but headed over the bar. The attempt motivated the team for more, with Arianna Del Moral next to be released into space. However, the American was reluctant to pull the trigger and instead attempted to cross to Alishia Sultana. However, the ball was just behind the number nine and the chance ebbed away.
However, the Stripes kept at it and increased pressure towards the latter stages, which resulted the opener. A free-kick by Ann-Marie Said was blocked by the wall for a corner which led to the opening goal. Marta Grosso delivered into the box, and the ricochet resulted in Alexis Espitia putting the ball into her own net in the 42nd minute.
Hibernians attempted to get an immediate response with a free-kick delivery from midfield. Natalee Geren launched toward the box but Janice Xuereb collected to relieve pressure.
Half-Time Score: Hibernians 0 – 1 Birkirkara
B’Kara Extend Late In The Match
The goal was expected to spark life into the match but the chances were still few and far in between in the early stages of the second half. Hibernians were forced into an early substitution as Nicole Sciberras was unable to continue following taking a knock. She was replaced by Amber Galea who slotted in the right-back role, while Chloe Ellul moved in front of the defence.
The Stripes looked like they were onto something when Caitlin Rogers launched a ball to release Arianna Del Moral, with the American flicking it centrally. However, Natalee Geren continued to set the level in defence by intercepting and clearing for a throw in, on an afternoon where little got by her despite the scoreline.
Kenneth Costantino made his second swap, bringing on Leah Ayres in attack while taking off Chloe Ellul. The change resulted in plenty of shifts in the pitch, with Martina Borg retreating alongside Kayleigh Chetcuti, Sarah Urpani shifting into the number ten role, while Yolande Attard moved to the left wing. Meanwhile, Jose’ Borg brought on Gabriella Zahra in a direct swap with Marta Grosso.
Amber Galea was in full throttle trying to marshal Alishia Sultana and landed herself in the book after clipping Birkirkara’s number nine. Ann-Marie Said delivered into the box but Zeeyana Jivraj punched out for the counter. However, Leah Ayres was thwarted by Alishia Sultana.
With little still to separate the two sides, more changes ensued from both teams. Birkirkara’s Sara Saliba gave way to Francesca Chircop in the 68th minute. Meanwhile, Nyorah Celeste took to the pitch instead of Sarah Urpani, slotting on the right wing, while Alexis Espitia formed a two-pronged attack alongside Leah Ayres.
There was little free-flowing football, with Hibernians resorting to fouls to stop the Stripes while struggling to build attacks themselves.
Birkirkara continued to work towards more goals in the latter stages and were rewarded for their efforts. Although Yolande Attard cleared a corner delivery, Birkirkara were alive to the ball in front of the penalty area. Charlene Zammit laid it back to Stephania Farrugia who fired a spectacular goal toward the top left corner to double the team’s lead in the 80th minute.
Jose’ Borg opted to shake up the right wing by bringing on Nanako Kobayashi as the right-back insted of Valentina Rapa, while Raina Giusti took to the pitch on the right wing instead of Arianna Del Moral.
Having laboured to find the second, the Stripes were rather quick to find the third, just two mintues later against the run of things on the afternoon. Francesca Chircop found herself in acres of space in midfield. She switched play toward Alishia Sultana who dribbled past the goalkeeper and placed the ball into the gaping net to truly put the result to bed in the 82nd minute.
Hibernians attempted to get something back from long free-kick deliveries but Birkirkara’s defence were untroubled, while Janice Xuereb was keen to attack any aerial deliveries, keeping her clean sheet intact.
Final Score: Hibernians 0 – 3 Birkirkara
Standings & Next Matches
By winning the match, Birkirkara fully capitalised on Swieqi United’s defeat at the hands of Mgarr United to extend their lead at the top to 7 points. Meanwhile, Hibernians remain on 35 points in third, and now enjoy a smaller cushion against Mgarr who raised their tally to 29 points in fourth place.
The leaders return to action against Mgarr United on Friday (9th) at the Victory Tedesco Stadium (20:30). Meanwhile, Hibernians will face Swieqi United on Saturday (10th) at Dingli Ground at 14:00.
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