Pembroke Athleta, Kirkop United, Fgura United and Tarxien Rainbows joined Hibernians, Gozo, Mgarr United and Birkirkara in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Knock-Out as the first round was played on Tuesday.
Pembroke Athleta registered a dramatic 2-1 win over Raiders (Luxol) after extra-time in a clash between two First Division sides at the Charles Abela Stadium.
Athleta held the initiative but ironically, Raiders managed to take the lead on the 14th when off an erratic clearance by Amy Abdilla, Rodianne Zerafa found herself alone in front of the goalkeeper, hitting the ball past Baldacchino.
In the second half, Pembroke continued where they had left but on the 52nd, Raiders went close to doubling the score when off an Amanda Atkins freekick, Amanda Mifsud’s header was turned into a corner by the Pembroke goalkeeper. A minute later, Leanne Micallef, served by Cassandra Camilleri, rounded Justine Baldacchino Barthet but his angled shot was neutralised by Farrugia. The Raiders goalkeeper then performed a good save on a shot from outside the area by Micallef on 61 minutes. On the 79th, a Rachel Mifsud effort was parried by Farrugia.
Pembroke equalised one minute from time when Monique Sultana sent Ilenia Navarro through and the latter beat Sonia Farrugia with an angled shot.
The game went into extra-time with Pembroke notching the winner at the end of the first half of extra-time when Amber Grech entered the area after receiving an assist by Leanne Micallef and hit home past Farrugia.
Pembroke could have added another on the 116th minute when off a cross by Micallef, Navarro’s effort hit the woodwork, the ball bounced on the goal line before being cleared into a corner.
PEMBROKE Rosie Baldacchino, Cassandra Camilleri (Ilenia Navarro 73’), Monique Sultana, Amber Grech, Rodiana Borg (Rachel Mifsud 50’), Sarah Caruana, Thresa Scicluna (Leanne Micallef 46’), Sarah Cassar Dymond, Martha Sammut (Justine Zammit 73’), Amy Abdilla (Annabelle Rapa 110’), Ottilia Debattista.
Coach: Rikky Pace.
RAIDERS Sonia Farrugia, Nadine Agius, Andrea Zammit Mizzi (Dawn Sammut 102’), Amanda Atkins, Justine Baldacchino Barthet, Therese Briffa (Katie Gribbon 110’), Kelly Scicluna (Heidi Schembri 88’), Nicole Micallef, Amanda Mifsud (Janice Spiteri 84’), Alison Patiniott, Rodianne Zerafa. Coach: Njoko Kent.
Referee: Duzan Petrovic
Scorers: Ilenia Navarro 89’, Amber Grech 105’ (P), Rodianne Zerafa 14’ (R)
Three goals from three set-pieces paved the way for a 4-1 win for Kirkop United over Second Division side Hamrun Spartans 4-1 at the Luxol Stadium.
Kirkop took the lead on the 13th minute when Shona Zammit received the ball from a freekick and beat Christine Galea with an angled shot from the edge of the area. Hamrun levelled matters ten minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after Raissa Grixti was floored inside the area by Costantino and from the penalty spot, Kim Micallef made no mistake.
One minute from the end of the first half, Kirkop regained the lead thanks to Shona Zammit in a carbon-copy of the first goal. A direct freekick by Jade Flask on the 71st minute increased the lead to 3-1 with Shona Zammit sealing the issue with a fourth goal eight minutes from time.
HAMRUN Christine Galea, Annelise Abela, Amanda Buhagiar (Brenda Borg 75’), Orianne Cassar, Kim Micallef, Daniela Farrugia, Simone Buttigieg, Raissa Gristi (Raissa Gatt 75’), Sofia Takanaki, Roxanne Micallef, Amanda Muscat (Chantelle Muscat).
Coach: Joe Carbonaro
KIRKOP Sharon Costantino, Alexia Baldacchino (Karen Lia 53’), Celine Galea (Dorianne Bonello 82’), Shona Zammit, Jade Flask, Giovanna Falla (Sarah Cassar 72’), Donnalise Xerri, Oriana Bedingfield, Alessia Caschetto (Angele Farrugia 80’), Rachel Caruana (Krystle Attard 50’), Charlene Cassia. Coach: Kevin Ellul
Referee: Darryl Agius
Scorers: Kim Micallef 24’ pen (H), Shona Zammit 13’ 44’ 79’, Jade Flask 71’ (K)
Fgura United registered a most comfortable 8-0 win over Fgura United at the Mgarr Ground.
Ingrid Vassallo notched a hat-trick, Eliana Gialanze and Jackie Abdilla scored two goals each with Abigail Grixti adding another.
Meanwhile Tarxien Rainbows were awarded a walk-over in the game against Vittoriosa Stars since the latter were unable to field enough players for the game.