More Twists As Mgarr Hold Birkirkara To Draw

Mgarr United backed up last week’s return to points by holding leaders Birkirkara to a 1-1 draw. Mgarr United’s Fernanda Peinado opened the scoring in the opening half, before Valentina Rapa levelled things in the second. The Greens survived the pressure from the Stripes to the final whistle, sending the teams home with a point apiece and the story of the league season into another twist.

Team Selections

Mgarr United’s Patricia Ebejer started in goal. Captain Maia Debono returned to the centre-back partnership with Leanne Cefai, with the duo flanked by Anastasia Sivolobova and Rebecca Bajada. Brenda Borg started in the centre of the park alongside Luana Cabral, while Fernanda Peinado and Kayah Abela Sciberras occupied the flanks. Yulya Carella supported Joelma Alves Gabriel in attack.

There was no Jose’ Borg in the technical area, with fitness coach Nigel McCarthy appearing to try to steer the team in his stead. Janice Xuereb started in goal, protected by the trusted centre-back duo of captain Stephania Farrugia and Charlene Zammit. Ann-Marie Said and Valentina Rapa occupied the full-back roles. Caitlin Rogers protected the defence, while Gabriella Zahra returned to the starting eleven alongside Veronique Mifsud further forward. Francesca Chircop led the attack, with Arianna Del Moral and Alishia Sultana occupying the flanks.

B’Kara Frustrated & Mgarr Pounce At Opportunity

The referee’s whistle gave way to a cagey opening half where Birkirkara dominated most of the play but struggled to get the final ball rolling for a major opportunity early on. The first real effort was struck by Arianna Del Moral inside the 18th minute, but the American’s left footed curler, aimed for the far corner, rose over the bar.

The Greens were disciplined in their chase and managed to string together a good attack toward the 20th minute. Luana Cabral launched up the pitch, before Brenda Borg and Fernanda Peinado worked a combination between them to open space for a cross. However, Charlene Zammit was well positioned to clear.

The Stripes continued on their charge, with Alishia Sultana next to fire a low shot aimed for the far right corner only to see it skim just wide of the mark. Francesca Chircop attempted a left-footed effort from outside the penalty box which headed toward the left corner of the net, but Patricia Ebejer shuffled well to get behind the shot.

Veronique Mifsud took a knock toward the half-hour mark but appeared fit enough to continue in search of breaking the deadlock. However, the Stripes were frustrated once more as Ann-Marie Said’s free-kick delivery toward the near post was just ahead of Arianna Del Moral, who was unable to make the connection. The defending champions also could not trouble the Greens from two consecutive corner deliveries.

Having soaked up the pressure, Mgarr United pounced on a rare opportunity and made it pay. Fernanda Peinado anticipated a back-pass toward the goalkeeper, latching onto it before finishing low into the far left corner of the goal for the opener in the 43rd minute.

Things took a more sour turn for the Stripes as the referee Jo-Anna Vassallo rushed over to the technical area into injury time and brandished a straight red card to a member of the coaching staff.

Half-Time Score: Mgarr United 1 – 0 Birkirkara

Birkirkara Hunt Equaliser

Jose’ Borg appeared out onto the touchline following the half-time break. Mgarr United made no substitutions but there was a tactical tweak which resulted in Fernanda Peinado dropping deeper into midfield, while Yulya Carella stuck firmly to the left wing. The Greens appeared ready to hold on to what they had and were happy to try to make the most of dead-ball situations or quick transitions.

Janice Xuereb commanded her box to collect a delivery from Mgarr United’s Brenda Borg before sending her team forward once more. Shortly after, Birkirkara managed to win consecutive corners calling Patricia Ebejer into action, but the Greens’ managed to hold on to their lead.

Mgarr United were on their bike in pressing for a mistake at the back and Yulya Carella managed to make enough of a nuisance to win the ball just outside the penalty box. She played it to Luana Cabral who however had her shot blocked by Birkirkara’s Stephania Farrugia. The Greens attempted to make something from the resulting corner, but Janice Xuereb was first to the delivery once more.

With Mgarr United remaining stubborn in their ways, Jose’ Borg started to make changes in the 55th minute, bringing on Marta Grosso instead of Gabriella Zahra. They were followed by two more substitutions just after an hour of play with Sara Saliba replacing Francesca Chircop, while Edith Garcia Falero gave Veronique Mifsud an early rest.

Meanwhile, Mgarr United responded by bringing on Chantelle Grech in defence, while Kayah Abela Sciberras gave way. Grech’s appearance pushed Maia Debono into the holding midfield position, while Brenda Borg moved onto the right wing. With around twenty minutes to go, the Greens appeared set to truly shut up shop with everyone back behind the ball.

As expected, the decision invited more pressure from Birkirkara. They fired the first major warning shot in the 69th minute following a cross which had Patricia Ebejer scrambling to get a palm away from her net, before Anastasia Sivolobova made an off-the-line clearance for a corner as Sara Saliba attempted to take the ball into the net.

However, the Stripes made the pressure pay on the 70 minute mark, as Marta Grosso delivered into the box toward Valentina Rapa, who headed the ball into the net, sending her team back on level terms.

Mgarr Hold On Under Increased Pressure From B’Kara

With momentum in their favour Birkirkara continued to surge forward, while Mgarr United made little change in approach, keen on picking their spots. Multiple free-kicks ensued from both sides as the two grappled to take control of the midfield.

Mgarr United’s best opportunity arrived on the 76th minute as Maia Debono delivered toward Joelma Alves Gabriel. The Brazilian attempted a flamboyant flick from just inside the box, which was on target, but Janice Xuereb was untroubled by the effort.

Birkirkara continued piling forward and came close with a corner that Sara Saliba headed just over the bar. Hasty clearances started to develop inside the Greens’ defensive third as the team continued facing increased pressure with little outlet.

Commotion ensued as Yulya Carella, Rebecca Bajada and Brenda Borg all hit the deck from separate incidents and needed lengthy treatment. Carella ended up in the book for entering the pitch early after the referee deemed her to have rolled out, prompting more uproar from the Greens’ bench in opposition who were swiftly warned by the referee. The whole situation resulted in close to ten minutes of injury time added on to the final stages.

The Stripes’ Sara Saliba won a free-kick on the left wing, which Joelma Alves Gabriel headed out, before Edith Garcia Falero’s follow-shot was blocked by Yulya Carella. Chantelle Grech cleared from a corner into the fifth minute of injury time. The Stripes’ had two final attempts from free-kicks, but could not find their winning ticket, with the Greens relieved to hear the final whistle.

Final Score: Mgarr United 1 – 1 Birkirkara

Standings & Next Matches

The two teams share the points, marking the first point that the Greens have managed to take from Birkirkara this season. The result takes Birkirkara’s tally to 45 points at the top of the table, while Mgarr United hit the 30 point mark in fourth place.

It opens the door for more twists in the Assikura Women’s League. All eyes will be on this afternoon’s match between Swieqi United (2nd, 37 points) and Hibernians (3rd, 35 points) at 14:00, Dingli Ground. The gap to the top to be closed once more depending on the outcome between them.

Birkirkara will next meet Swieqi United on Thursday 15th at the Centenary Stadium (20:15), while Mgarr United will meet Hibernians on Friday 16th at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (20:30).

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