by Birkirkara completed their first back-to-back win and clean sheet of the season with a 6 – 0 victory against Valletta. Mariah Cardona and Stephania Farrugia got the team going before Momo Ueda completed a poker to finish the scoring. Birkirkara maximised numerical advantage in the opening half to earn three goals as Valletta pondered the extent of injuries to Joelma Alves Gabriel & Eliza Csik. The Stripes continued to show their football delivering three further goals in the second half.
Team Selections
Gabriella Grima started in goal for Valletta, behind an unchanged centre-back partnership between Shakira Bugeja and Ilona Sultana. Nicole Grixti came in at right-back, while Lorna-Maria Cassar continued on the left. Sarah Micallef started in front of the defence, with Eliza Csik and Ulani Belkis further forward in midfield. Captain Joelma Alves Gabriel led the attack, flanked by Liliana Zolorsano and Sarah Fenech.
Janice Xuereb also continued her stay in goal for Birkirkara. There were no changes in defence, with Haruhi Sekura, Lara May Azzopardi, Izabella Camilleri and captain Stephania Farrugia all retaining their place. Amy Busuttil started in midfield in the company of Gabriella Zahra and Momo Ueda. Patricia Lamanna and Mariah Cardona were joined by Izabella Stringer in attack.
How It Unfolded
It was a subdued start to the match, with Birkirkara holding the majority of possession but patient in their approach to open spaces against Valletta.
The tenth minute led to a real chance for the opening as Mariah Cardona injected flair on the wing before delivering a cut-back to Patricia Lamanna. However, the effort skimmed the near post.
Despite coming under pressure, there was a sense of attack in Valletta which was nipped in the 20th minute. Joelma Alves Gabriel was linked in play with the side looking to thread their way behind the Birkirkara line. However, the captain was caught in the action with the Valletta skipper having to be stretchered out from the pitch.
Valletta paid the price in double, with Birkirkara fully capitalising on the numerical advantage as the side prepared the substitution. Mariah Cardona fired a blistering shot into the roof of the net from inside the box as the Stripes attacked a corner from Momo Ueda, with Stephania Farrugia getting a touch on the first delivery.
Edera Marmara’ took to the pitch in replacement of the Valletta captain shortly after, with the armband shifting to Shakira Bugeja.
The Stripes were looking for more with Izabella Stringer and Izabella Camilleri both firing from distance, but unable to add to the Stripes tally. Despite losing their central figure in attack, Valletta pushed forward with Ulani Belkis getting herself into the box in attempt to convert a cross. However, the side was sent back by the offside flag.
Things continued to take a turn for the Citizens with Eliza Csik next to hit the deck and be ruled out from the match by injury on the touchline. Back down to ten, Birkirkara were effective to deliver two further goals before the Valletta side reestablished the numerical equality.
Momo Ueda delivered a perfectly weighted delivery onto the head of Stephania Farrugia who was clinical with the header across the goal into the left post.
Momo Ueda got herself on the scoresheet a minute later. Making the run behind the defence, the Japanese midfielder placed it low into the bottom right corner, despite Gabriella Grima approaching to close down the opportunity.
Hannah Fenech took to the pitch in replacement of Eliza Csik following the goal. Birkirkara continued to hold the majority of possession. However, the side could not add to the tally before the break.
Half-Time Score: Valletta 0 – 3 Birkirkara
Reinforcements were deployed from both teams on the restart. Birkirkara’s Kay Axiak made her senior debut instead of Patricia Lamanna, with Axiak taking a place in midfield while Momo Ueda fronted the attack. Ylenia Grech replaced Izabella Stringer, while there was also a change in goal with Julia Zarb replacing Janice Xuereb. Aaliyah Bonnici Carbonaro replaced Ulani Belkis in midfield for Valletta.
With Valletta’s attack totally subdued, the Stripes continued to rotate possession in search of extending their scoring. Kay Axiak appeared comfortable with the youngster involved to link up play as the side created further opportunities.
Mariah Cardona and Amy Busuttil fired on two separate occasions, but neither was able to add to the tally. The Stripes continued to make haste from corner kicks, with a major opportunity created in the 63rd minute. Momo Ueda’s initial delivery was headed out by Lorna-Maria Cassar but the Stripes put the ball back into the box. However, Gabriella Zahra’s curler toward the far post was palmed by Gabriella Grima before Sarah Fenech delivered the final clearance from the line.
Eunice Micallef replaced Izabella Camilleri in defence, with the attacks continuing to pile for the Stripes.
Momo Ueda converted the fourth goal for Birkirkara released behind, on the run by a perfectly weighted ball from Haruhi Sekura. Although Gabriella Grima got a hand as Ueda attempted the dribble, the Birkirkara number twenty-one won the duel ultimately passing it into an empty net.
The Japanese signing finished her hat-trick in the 74th minute, wrapping a right-foot onto the cut-back delivered by Kay Axiak to find the near right post.
Further changes ensued, with Hannah Fenech replaced by Hannah Grima, while Kristina Zammit took to the pitch instead of Sarah Micallef for Valletta. Krista Sacco swapped with Haruhi Sekura for Birkirkara.
Stephania Farrugia and Ylenia Grech were both denied by the crossbar from long-range efforts. However, the side finished off their scoring with Momo Ueda tapping home the cross delivered by Lara May Azzopardi in the 84th minute.
Final Score: Valletta 0 – 6 Birkirkara
Standings & Next Matches
The Stripes make it back-to-back wins for the first time this season, with the side earning their first clean sheet as well. The Assikura Women’s League will be on break next week, with the Stripes returning to league action on the 16th October against Hibernians at 20:15 at the Centenary Stadium.
Valletta will assess their injuries as they prepare for the battle against the front-runners, Mgarr United. They meet on the 18th October at Dingli Ground (18:00).
This evening will set Hibernians against San Gwann at the Charles Abela Stadium at 18:00. Both sides come into it following defeat.
Assikura Women's League - Standings
Lead Image: Lara Schembri
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