Elation & Fury As Hibs Down B’Kara In Controversial Encounter

Hibernians edged out Birkirkara by 3-2 to take themselves into top spot in a match that delivered in tension, fury and elation for the faithful, under the improved lighting at Victor Tedesco Stadium.

The Paolites earned themselves an early two-goal margin courtesy of strikes by Alexis Espitia and Jessica Dimech. Luana Vitoria Cabral got Birkirkara back into it, but an own goal set back the come-back for the Stripes. A late goal from Erica Bispo kept up hopes for Birkirkara, but the Stripes walk away with no points, and probably feeling hard-done by not being awarded at least one penalty in the match.

Team Selections

Birkirkara’s Maya Cachia remained in goal, protected by an unchanged back-line consisting of Martina Fenech, Valentina Rapa, Charlene Zammit and Calista Schechinger. Gabriella Zahra continued to operate in midfield with Yuna Hazekawa and Luana Vitoria Cabral. Francesca came into the starting line-up alongside Erica Bispo and Alishia Cassar who captained the side.

Meanwhile, Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino made just one change to the starting eleven. Elizabeth Harrington continued to protect the goal, fronted by the unchanged trio of Jessica Dimech, Natalee Geren and Amy Busuttil. Nicole Sciberras and Kayleigh Chetcuti occupied the centre of the park. Chloe Ellul and Ileana Farrugia operated as wing-backs, with the latter marking her first appearance against her former club. Captain Martina Borg led the attack alongside Alexis Espitia and Joelma Alves Gabriel.

How It Unfolded

The top clash was the first to be held under the improved lighting at the expansive Victor Tedesco Stadium. Both sets of supporters arrived in their numbers, making their voices heard, with the match providing a flurry of goals and tricky waters for official Jo-Anna Vassallo, as well as assistants Stefania Bonnici and Paula Buttigieg.

Hibernians were quick on their march from the off, with Chloe Ellul releasing Martina Borg who made the run wide. However, her low cross was read well by Charlene Zammit. The Stripes attempted to make something happen on transition, with Luana Vitoria Cabral winning the ball in midfield, before spreading it wide to Francesca Chircop. However, her attempt rose over the bar.

Hibernians responded with a lethal direct attack of their own. Martina Borg released Alexis Espitia who made the run between the defenders. The American dribbled her way past the goalkeeper, before finishing into the gaping net.

Birkirkara attempted to respond, earning themselves half-chances, before handed a major opportunity in the 18th minute. Elizabeth Harrington came out to collect but came second best against Alishia Cassar. However, the Stripes’ number nine complicated the finish raising it over the bar from the tight angle, despite a gaping net.

Instead, Hibernians doubled their lead in the 23th minute, courtesy of a rebound by Jessica Dimech from an initial corner delivery. Birkirkara’s Calista Schechinger had cleared an initial attempt, before Dimech buried the goal.

Despite going two goals down, the defending champions kept up the chase, earning themselves a ticket back into the match in the 32nd minute. Erica Bispo drove forward on the right wing, before playing a low cross into the path of Luana Vitoria Cabral. The Brazilian opened her body to perfectly curl the low finish into the far corner.

The side had opportunities to earn the equaliser through set-pieces but Hibernians were solid in clearing the danger. Alishia Cassar also latched onto an error in defence, but her low effort at the near post was gathered by Elizabeth Harrington.

Instead, Hibernians recovered the two goal advantage from another corner kick in the 40th minute, despite having found themselves under some duress in the mid-portions of the half. Joelma Alves Gabriel delivered targeting Maya Cachia once more. The goalkeeper got something on the ball but fumbled the collection, seeing it end into her own net.

Half-Time Score: Birkirkara 1 – 3 Hibernians

There were no substitutions at the break, however Hibernians appeared to settle into a compact shape with the onus on Birkirkara to get themselves back into the match. The Stripes pushed up, creating half-chances and managing to swing a few corners. However, Hibernians were largely untroubled.

Birkirkara’s Vince Galea made a double change as the hour mark elapsed, bringing on Mariah Cardona and Raina Giusti, who swapped with Martina Fenech and Francesca Chircop.

Although largely quiet in attack, the Paolites did manage to win themselves a few set-piece opportunities. Ileana Farrugia picked up a couple of loose balls, working Maya Cachia from one of them with a sweetly struck shot from just outside the penalty area. However, Birkirkara’s goalkeeper handled the power of the shot before gathering ahead of Alexis Espitia who was closing in for the rebound.

Things escalated as the 67th minute approached with referee Jo-Anna Vassallo coming under heavy scrutiny as Birkirkara claimed four penalties, none of which were awarded. The Stripes claimed for a couple of handballs which the officials waived off. There was another claim as Yuna Hazekawa appeared to be blocked in the box. The final call arrived close to the 75th minute, as Hibernians’ goalkeeper Elizabeth Harrington did not manage to control a back-pass, rushing forward to get to it ahead of the Birkirkara’s attack who was closing in, with the goalkeeper clattering into the player as a result. However, the only whistles heard were from the Birkirkara faithful.

A steady stream of bookings started flying off in between decisions, with the officials grappling for control over the match which started to slip away from their hands. Alishia Cassar, Joelma Alves Gabriel and Luana Vitoria Cabral all found themselves getting their numbers taken.

Still, Birkirkara trudged on toward getting back into the match. Calista Schechinger worked Elizabeth Harrington from a free-kick from the right wing, attempting to find the far top corner. However, Hibernians’ goalkeeper palmed it over the bar, before Kayleigh Chetcuti cleared the resulting corner.

Both coaches made changes as the final ten minutes of normal time approached. Amelia Vassallo appeared for Birkirkara, replacing Gabriella Zahra. Meanwhile, Yolande Attard swapped with Chloe Ellul.

The Stripes earned themselves a ticket back into the match in the 83rd minute from a free-kick, with Erica Bispo applying the finishing touch to the delivery from the right wing.

The defending champions kept pushing forward, but struggled to trouble Elizabeth Harrington from open play. Alishia Cassar managed to wriggle a tame shot, before Yuna Hazekawa delivered a free-kick to Luana Vitoria Cabral. However, Elizabeth Harrington made the stop at the near post.

Hibernians’ Kenneth Costantino made a double switch late on, bringing on Amber Galea and Rodianne Zerafa, in replacement of Joelma Alves Gabriel and Alexis Espitia.

The tight margins gave to nervous final moments, with Jo-Anna Vassallo getting another round of attacks after delaying to blow for a head injury on a Hibernians’ player, as the Paolites were on the attack, but then stopping play just as Birkirkara transitioned the ball behind Hibernians’ defensive line into another counter-attack.

As expected, the final whistle blew to the cheers from Hibernians’ faithful who were on the edge of their seat in the final throes, urging their team to protect a slender but important lead. In the face of a narrow and rare defeat to the direct title-record rivals, compounded by all the ongoings and decisions in the match, the Stripes’ support left the stands with every shade of colour under the sun on their faces.

Final Score: Birkirkara 2 – 3 Hibernians

Next Matches

Hibernians take top spot with thirteen points, ahead of Birkirkara who remain on ten, with the latter dealt their first defeat of the season. The Paolites will next face San Gwann at Mgarr Ground on Saturday (5th October) at 15:00. Meanwhile, Birkirkara will have a shorter turnaround as they meet Valletta on Thursday (3rd October) at the Centenary Stadium at 20:15.

The fifth matchday in the Assikura Women’s League concludes today with a double-header at Dingli Ground, as Valletta welcome Mtarfa at 17:00, before Lija Athletic meet Swieqi United (19:30).

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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