Women’s Knock-Out: Mġarr, Hibernians cruise through

The quarter-finals of the MFA Women’s Knock-Out reserved no upsets as all the favourites clinched a semi-final berth.

Hibernians and Mgarr United thrashed Raiders (Luxol) and Mosta 7-2 and 5-0 respectively while defending champions Birkirkara overcame Swieqi United with a 3-0 scoreline.

Mgarr United broke little sweat to see off Mosta at the Zebbuġ Ground.

Youth striker Haley Bugeja added more goals to her excellent tally as she found the net on minute 3 and minute 15.  Roxanne Micallef listed her name on the scoresheet as well when she extended the lead to three goals on minute 34. After the change of ends, Mġarr added two more goals through Jasmine Vella Turner on the 55th and Brenda Borg on the 89th. 

At the Centenary Stadium, Hibernians saw off Raiders (Luxol) as they scored seven goals, with six of them in the first 45 minutes. 

Rebecca Vella had opened the score for Raiders on the 7th minute but their lead lasted only two minutes, when Kayleigh Chetcuti drew Hibs level. Jade Flask added a brace herself on the 14th and 34th minute, with Nicole Borg (16th) and a Rebecca Naudi own goal (21th) extending Hibernians lead. On the brink of half-time, Emma Xuereb, former Raiders player herself, made it 6-1. In the second-half, Borg scored Hibernians’ seventh while Michela Bonello Ghio pulled one back for Raiders five minutes from time. 

Defending champions Birkirkara moved into the semi-finals after clinching a 3-0 win over Swieqi United at the Mgarr Ground.

The Oranges gave the Stripes a hard run for their money as Birkirkara had to wait until 15 minutes from time to forge ahead, through Ylenia Carabott. Veronique Mifsud and Raina Giusti profited from Swieqi’s lack of concentration to score on the 74th and 83rd respectively to seal the 3-0 win for Melania Bajada’s clan.

Kirkop United eased into the last four of the competition as they defeated Fgura United 4-1 at the Mgarr Ground. 

Helena Muscat put the Reds ahead on minute 16 before Estonian duo Liis Pello on the 34th and Liivi Sormus on the 42nd extended the lead to 3-1 after Darya Attard had levelled terms for Fgura on the 20th. Demi Magrin wrapped up the win two minutes from time.

In the semi-finals, Mgarr United take on Hibernians while Birkirkara face Kirkop United.