B’Kara Triumph in Five-Goal Thriller Against Hibs

The stripes won their match against Hibernians (3-2), to maintain their hunt for the league title. Charlene Zammit and Stephania Farrugia stunned the whites early on, while Gabriella Zahra grabbed the third in the second half. Yolande Attard and Kayleigh Chetcuti got two goals for Hibernians but the whites could not recover the deficit in time to get something from the match.

Team Changes

Birkirkara’s coach Jose’ Borg made some changes to the starting eleven, notably giving a start to Samantha Zarb in the left-back position, who had a solid match. Meanwhile, Valentina Rapa was employed in the right-back position, enabling Alishia Sultana to be pushed as a right forward. Marta Grosso started in the number ten role in the absence of Veronique Mifsud.

Meanwhile, Hibernians coach Keith Gouder started the match with Chloe Ellul in the right-back position, while Alessia Caschetto took the left-back role. Centre midfield was comprised by Sarah Urpani and Nicole Sciberras. Up-front Nyorah Celeste and Aleksandra Georgieva rotated throughout the match, in the absence of Alexis Espitia.

Two Goals in 3 Minutes

Birkirkara started brightly and it did not take long for the stripes to find the back of the net. Ann-Marie Said took charge of the corner from the left, finding Charlene Zammit who made an unmarked run to the near post and headed home Birkirkara’s first goal in the second minute of the game. Brisa Campos struck just a couple of minutes later from open play but was denied with some great last-ditch defending by Hibernians’ Chloe Ellul.

However, the stripes were not to be denied for long and capitalized on another corner in the fifth minute of play. This time it was Raina Giusti who launched the ball into the box towards captain Stephania Borg who slotted in the second for Birkirkara, doubling the lead after just five minutes into the match.

The stripes firmly held possession in the Hibs half throughout the first half-hour, thoroughly winning the midfield battle and denying the whites a chance to even have a shot on goal. Hibs eventually started to venture forward but offered no great threat. On the other hand, the stripes did not manage to extend their lead further and went into the break with a two-goal advantage.

Gouder’s Tactical Response

Like his team, Keith Gouder was not ready to relinquish the match just yet, and the coach made some fine tactical decisions in the break. Kayleigh Chetcuti replaced Sarah Urpani in midfield, offering a different outlet to support the attack. Additionally, Cristina Hili replaced Alessia Caschetto, shifting Chloe Ellul to the left-back role, whilst Hili took charge on the right.

The changes injected more pace into the team and balanced out the midfield, allowing Hibs to transition into attack effectively. Nicole Sciberras made a darting run from midfield into the opposition’s box and although she was eventually closed down, it set a positive start to the half for the whites.

Unfortunately, a Hibs’ corner resulted in a deadly counter-attack from the stripes towards the 53^rd minute. Stephania Farrugia came away with the ball, finding Marta Grosso on the right wing and the Italian picked out Gabriella Zahra at the far post. Birkirkara’s number two did not need a second invitation to put her boot through the ball sending it into the top right corner of the netl, extending the lead to 3-0.

Hibs’ Fight Back

Despite this, the whites did not let their heads drop and were rewarded shortly after. Nicole Sciberras recovered the ball in midfield and Hibs quickly transitioned into an attack. Yolande Attard was played through on goal and with just Janice Xuereb to beat the number eleven slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, initiating a comeback to the delight of Hibs’ supporters.

However, Birkirara’s stands swiftly responded and there were plenty of cheers for Charlene Zammit for her dispossessing tackle on Nicole Sciberras, who was otherwise wreaking havoc for Birkirkara towards the 60^th minute.

Jose Borg made use of his bench in the 71^st minute, bringing on Ileana Farrugia and Michela Felice in replacement of Brisa Campos and Alishia Sultana. Ruth Steer-Chetham and Izabella Camilleri also made an appearance in the 82^nd minute, replacing Gabriella Zahra and Samantha Zarb.

The changes initiated a long list of rotations on the pitch which shifted the dynamic of the match for Birkirkara. Hibs’ Kayleigh Chetcuti was wise to this and capitalised on the commotion in midfield during injury time. She recovered the ball in Birkirkara’s half and swiftly struck low into the bottom corner, which ensured Hibs’ second by denying goalkeeper Janice Xuereb any chance of getting into position to make a save.

Unfortunately for the whites, the second goal came too close to the final whistle allowing Birkirkara to grab all three points.

League Standings

The win means that Birkirkara maintain their six-point advantage at the top, while Hibs are fourth, sandwiched between Mgarr and Raiders Lija. However, the latter two have a game in hand over the whites.  

Elsewhere, Swieqi United FC hit six against strugglers San Gwann, thus the Owls retain second place with a strong 9-point margin over third-place Mgarr, but still find themselves six points below Birkirkara.

Jade Schembri found the net in just two minutes. Salamatu Abdulai scored a brace, while Mariah Sciberras, Shona Zammit and Rafanny Mendoza Abache also got on the scoresheet.

Judith Kuipers chose to rest veteran Dorianne Theuma and league top-scorer Jade Flask. The team will also be delighted to have Cynthia Conlan back in action, after having missed the match against Mtarfa and following the injury suffered against Birkirkara FC.

Next week, Mtarfa kicks things off against Birkirkara on Tuesday 28th March at 8 pm at the Centenary stadium. Wednesday 29th presents an interesting double-header. Hibernians will face Raiders Lija FC at the Centenary stadium, as the two continue their mid-table fight. Meanwhile, third-placed Mgarr United will have a challenging test against second-place Swieqi United at the Mgarr Ground at 8:30 pm.

Photo Credit: Brandon Bonett – Just One Click Media