Mtarfa No Match for Birkirkara  

Hat-tricks for Brisa Campos, Ruth Steer-Chetham and Stephania Farrugia were not enough to satisfy the league leaders. Gabriella Zahra and Gaia Milan each grabbed a brace. Marta Grosso found the top corner from long range, whilst Sara Saliba also capped her appearance with a goal.

Blues Undone In 20 Minutes

Mtarfa would have braced themselves for a pummeling from the league leaders, but will still be disappointed to have let the stripes score five within the first 22 minutes of the match.

Jose’ Borg made a few changes at the back and in midfield from the line-up that faced Hibernians. Captain Stephania Farrugia filled in for Ann-Marie Said in central midfield, with Valentina Rapa partnering Charlene Zammit at the back. Mikela Felice took the right-back role, whilst Samantha Zarb kept her place on the left following her good showing against Hibs.  

The stripes hit the crossbar after just a couple of minutes of play when Stephania Farrugia headed the ball from Raina Giusti’s inswinging corner. Despite this, they did not have to wait long to open the score, since Brisa Campos delivered the first blow to Mtarfa three minutes later, beating Dorianne Grech with a low central shot. Gabriella Zahra and Marta Grosso displayed lovely first-touch football to get Campos behind the defence.

Gabriella Zahra grabbed the second in the 12^th minute, with a left-footed shot that curled toward the inside of the far post before going in. Raina Giusti’s controlled pass laid it well for Zahra to hit first time.

Argentinian striker Brisa Campos grabbed the third for Birkirkara and her second of the night in the 18^th minute. This time she was picked out by Charlene Zammit who completely nullified the Mtarfa midfield with her pass. Campos did well to shift herself into space before placing into the far-left corner.

Marta Grosso was next to get on the scoresheet and found the top left corner with a well-struck shot from the edge of the box a couple of minutes later. The Italian did well in the number ten role, was involved in the build-up play of most of the goals throughout the first half and capped off her appearance with a goal.

Campos completed her hat-trick in the 22^nd minute. It was a true poacher’s goal, as the number eighty was well positioned to tap in the rebound after Raina Giusti was denied by the post. Stephania Farrugia made it six late in the first half, by rebounding the ball into the bottom left corner, after Mtarfa goalkeeper Dorienne Grech kept her header out the first time.

Substitutes Make Their Impact

Jose’ Borg reshuffled the pack in the break. In goal, Janice Xuereb made way for Christina Pisani. Up front, Ruth Steer-Chetham replaced Brisa Campos, while Gaia Milan took the number ten role from Marta Grosso. Meanwhile, Ileana Farrugia replaced Mikela Felice, with Farrugia taking the right-wing position, pushing Alishia Sultana to right-back.

Gaia Milan barely touched the ball before the number seven made it seven for the stripes in the 46^th minute. It was good link-up play with fellow substitute Ruth-Steer Chetham who controlled the ball in the box and set it up for Milan to strike with venom toward the bottom left corner.

Steer-Chetham followed up the assist with a hat-trick which she completed in just 9 minutes. Her first of the night came in the 57th minute and she was set up by Ileana Farrugia, who defeated her marker on the wing before driving the cross toward Steer-Chetham. The two linked up with similar build-up play for the number 10 (Steer-Chetham) to grab Birkirkara’s 10^th of the night, after Stephania Farrugia had grabbed the 9^th goal just three minutes before with a low shot. Steer-Chetham completed her hat-trick in the 66^th minute, following good link-up play with fellow substitutes Gaia Milan and Ileana Farrugia.

Gaia Milan was not happy with a single goal and rattled the crossbar with a bicycle kick in the 61^st minute. Despite this, she kept plugging away and was instead rewarded with her second in the 73^rd minute. Substitute Sara Saliba grabbed the assist by finding Milan, who in turn shifted to the right to make some space before completing the dozen for Birkirkara.

The youngster Sara Saliba further cemented her appearance with a goal in the 79^th minute, making short work of Rebecca Zammit on the wing before driving a cross into the box which the goalkeeper parried into her own net.

Gabriella Zahra completed her brace in the 87^th minute before Stephania Zammit converted from the spot a couple of minutes later to complete her hat-trick and deliver the final blow to the blues. Full-time score 0 – 15.

Upcoming Matches

Eyes shift to the mid-table clash between Hibernians and Raiders Lija which will take place under the lights at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday at 8 pm. The direct confrontation is crucial as the two continue to lock horns in earnest for the best possible finish to the season. There are just three points separating them, though Raiders have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Mgarr United will face a tough test against second-placed Swieqi United FC at the Mgarr Ground, which kicks off at 8:30 pm. A win for the greens would ease some of the pressure being placed by Hibs and Raiders, however, the Owls will do their best to deny them.  

Photo: Brandon Bonett – Just One Click Media