Champions Birkirkara, runners-up Mosta and Hibernians had a perfect start as all registered comfortable wins in the BOV Women’s First Division.
Hamrun S. vs Birkirkara 0-7
Venue: Luxol Ground
Referee: Sebastiano Gambuzza
Five goals in the second half enabled Birkirkara to register a comfortable win over newly-promoted Hamrun Spartans.
Birkirkara dominated right from the start but they could only break the deadlock after substituting three players. Once they gained the lead, they never looked back. Rachel Cuschieri was included as a substitute in the first half and she turned out to be the heroine for Birkirkara, netting a hat-trick and making two assists.
Hamrun’s club official, Claudia Grima added that despite this score, the Spartans have not been discouraged and will continue to work hard for positive results.
The full time whistle saw Birkirkara opening their title defence in style, and with an encouraging victory.
HAMRUN S.: Karen Camilleri, Zuleika Azzopardi, Charlene Schembri (Jessica Zammit 56’), Amanda Buhagiar, Nikita Hili, Tania Vella (Sabrina Parnis 85’), Kimberly Micallef, Amanda Muscat (Raissa Grixti 48’), Amanda Atkins (Janice Kokavessis 46’), Christine Galea, Claudette Xuereb.
COACH: Mario Gouder
BIRKIRKARA: Tonina Dimech, Rosann Xerri (Sacha Camilleri 74’), Yasmeen Vella (Kirstie Vella 57’), Stephania Farrugia, Isabelle Mazzitelli, Kim Parnis, Gabriella Zahra, Martina Cilia, Simone Buttigieg (Raina Giusti 34’), Alisha Sultana (Rachel Cuschieri 34’), Dorcas Debono (Kelly Agius Pace 34’).
COACH: Johann Scicluna
SCORERS: Kim Parnis 37’, Rachel Cuschieri 43’, 46’ 58’, Stefania Farrugia 69’, Own Goal Karen Camilleri 70’, Isabelle Mazzitelli 88’.
Pembroke A. vs Hibernians 1-5
Venue: Pembroke Ground
Referee: Etienne Mangion
Hibernians defeated a young Pembroke with a score of 5-1, although this not reflect the proceedings. Although Hibernians scored just after five mins, Pembroke Athleta kept insisting and created as many chances as their opponents. Both teams included new players, which made them fight till the end.
Hibernians coach Jose Borg was not happy with his team’s performance although he admitted that after all the most important thing were the three points. “I have a very big squad this year with new young faces in the team. Some players had their debut today. Two of the first eleven players and other two substitutes were Under-16 players and are Hibs nursery products. I am sure that a promising future is ahead of us with hard work and determination.”
On the other hand, Pembroke coach Ricky Pace said that his team suffered this defeat with heads up, as his team was on the same level with their opponents throughout the match but suffered three goals which could have easily been avoided. “The experience Hibernians have in this division made them fight throughout the match and that is the main target for our young team, with an average age of 19 years.”
PEMBROKE A.: RoseMarie Baldacchino (Nicole Mifsud 65’), Sarah Caruana (Janelle Galea 81’), Sarah Cassar Dymond, Natasha Davis, Monique Sultana, Sonia Schembri, Amber Grech, Leanne Micallef, Cassandra Camilleri (Charlene Leonardi 48’), Martina Borg, Ottilia Debattista (Nicole Vermeulen 81’).
COACH: Rikky Pace
HIBERNIANS: Keoney Demicoli, Maria Azzopardi, Rosalie Cauchi, Francesca Chircop (Nicole Borg 86’), Chantelle Grech, Ruth Steer Chetham (Gabriella Tonna 81’), Kathleen Saliba (Ingrid Vassallo 81’), Claire Sciberras (MarieClaire Aquilina 73’), Dionne Tonna, Charlene Zammit, Rodianne Borg (Corissa Vella 50’).
COACH: Jose Borg
SCORERS: O/G RoseMarie Baldacchino 5’ (H), Rodianne Borg 45’ (H), Martina Borg 47’ (P), Ruth Steer Chetham 63’ (H), Dionne Tonna (Pen) 68’ (H), Gabriella Tonna 88’ (H).
Tarxien R. vs Mosta 0-10
Venue: Tarxien Ground
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Super Cup winners Mosta had an easy start against Tarxien Rainbows.
Tarxien, who were promoted after placing fourth last season, were disappointed for being forced by the association to play in the First Division after Raiders Luxol were relegated.
Captain Dorianne Theuma was really happy with the performance of both her team and herself.
TARXIEN R.: Dorienne Grech, Cheryl Cachia, Roxanne Busuttil, Naomi Camilleri (Michelle Camilleri 78’), Chantel Spiteri, Leanne Mifsud, Kristine Camilleri, Elise Abela (Leah Marie Pisani 46’), Kim Magro, Francesca Cauchi, Maria Mizzi.
COACH: Leslie CamilleriMOSTA: Sharon Costantino, Rebecca D’Agostino, Natasha Pace, Charlene Cassia, Yanika Fenech, Dorianne Theuma, Nicole Butigieg (Louise Galea 77’), Jade Flask, Rachel Nolan (Amy Abdilla 68’), AnneMarie Muscat (Rachel Mifsud 57’), Karen Lia (Andrea Dingli 70’).
COACH: Kenneth CostantinoSCORERS: Dorianne Theuma 5’, 55’, 58’, 88’, Jade Flask 77’, Rachel Nolan 20’, 22’, 24’, 67’, Amy Abdilla 69’.
St. Venera YB vs Fgura 2-4
Venue: Zebbug Ground
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
This victory for Fgura United has been the best start to the new season any team would aim for, let alone a team who has only been training together for the past three weeks. They managed to show good teamwork and co-ordination in all aspects of the game.
Despite going two goals down in the first eleven minutes, St. Venera hit back and levelled matters within eleven minutes. However Fgura United managed to regain the lead.
ST. VENERA YB. Rodene Ghirxi, Chantelle Azzopardi, Doreen Saliba, Anna Marie Grima, Leonora Casingena, Daniela Farrugia (Audrey Ann Attard 85’), Nathalie Grima, Laura Caruana, Orianne Cassar, Brenda Borg, Emily Pace.
COACH: Joe CarbonaroFGURA U.: Corinne Falzon, Claire Gerada, Beverly Abela (Vanessa Mifsud 84’), Eliana Gialanze, Shana Debono, Krystie Calleja, Leona Tabone (Kimberly-Jo Fenech 85’), Annemarie Mallia (Marieclaire Polidano 60’), Jackie Abdilla, Alysa Cachia, Karen Schembri.
COACH: Clinton CassarSCORERS: Karen Schembri 7’ (F), Krystie Calleja 11’ (F), Orianne Cassar 25’, 27’ (S), Eliana Gialanze (pen) 26’ (F), Alysa Cachia 72’ (F)