Birkirkara are now sharing the top spot with champions Hibernians in the BOV Women’s League after suffering the first defeat off the field of play.

The Stripes had claimed maximum points from the matches played but Pembroke Athleta filed a protest against the result of the match played last week over the ineligibilty of two Birkirkara players. The MFA Protests Board awarded Pembroke the three points on Monday and therefore Birkirkara no longer enjoy a three-point lead over Hibernians.

Both teams kicked-off their Championship Pool commitments with a win as Hibs defeated Mgarr United 6-2 and Birkirkara defeated Kirkop United 4-0.