Birkirkara women’s side clinched the 2021/2022 MFA Women’s League title after beating rivals Mġarr United 2-0 in this week’s Matchday 18. Led by Melania Bajada, the Stripes scored twice through Gabriella Zahra and Tracy Teuma to secure their tenth title in their history. As a result, Birkirkara will be representing Malta in next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign after being granted the UEFA Licence on Wednesday.
For the important clash against Mġarr, Birkirkara’s coach Bajada was without the services of goalkeeper Janice Xuereb and defender Stephania Farrugia. Nonetheless, the Stripes could bank on their replacements who executed the tactical plan to perfection to clinch the three points. Veteran goalkeeper Tonina Dimech started between the sticks whereas midfielder Kim Parnis was a makeshift fullback.
Midfielder Gabriella Zahra opened the score from close-range while Tracy Teuma, Zahra’s partner in the central department, converted from the penalty spot as Birkirkara stretched their league unbeaten run to 66 games – three shy from the domestic record.
On the other hand, Mġarr’s coach Michael Mangion handed a debut to 2005-born Kayah Abela Sciberras as a right winger while league’s leading scorers Francesca Chircop (18 goals) and Brenda Borg (17) were deployed from the start.
The Greens will now have to roll their sleeves up to preserve at least their second place as Swieqi United are now within touching distance.
MGARR Patricia Ebejer, Abigail Camilleri (Leslye Nicole Espinel Bautista), Maia Melanie Debono, Francesca Chircop, Angelique Schembri (Nicole Grixti), Daniela Said Ebejer (Sarah Fenech), Jasmine Louise Vella Turner, Leanne Cefai, Rebecca Bajada, Brenda Borg (Keeva Caoimhe Camilleri), Kayah Abela Sciberras (Juliana Dogg Onnudottir Chipa).
B’KARA Nina Dimech, Gabriella Zahra, Ann-Marie Said, Kim Parnis (Martina Fenech), Tracy Teuma, Alishia Sultana, Raina Giusti (Ileana Farrugia), Veronique Mifsud (Valentina Rapa), Charlene Zammit, Michela Felice (Mariah Sciberras), Patricia Mary Lamanna (Ruth Steer Chetham).
Referee: Raiden Psaila
The Oranges scored five past Kirkop United with Fernanda Peinado grabbing a hat-trick and Alexis Espitia scoring twice to lift themselves three points behind Mġarr. Both players are on six goals now having joined the club during the January transfer window. Billy Mock’s side have a game in hand and they still have to face Mġarr on May 3.
Kirkop’s only scorer in the game was Rodianne Zerafa who netted her seventh of the season.
SWIEQI Chantelle Grech, Jessica Lee Dimech, Dorianne Theuma, Jade Flask, Emma Xuereb (Amy Busuttil), Fernanda dos Santos Peinado (Chloe Ann Ellul), Michaela Cachia (Tammy Falzon), Mandy Debono (Demi Magrin), Shona Zammit, Jade Schembri, Alexis Veronica Espitia (Iulia Mifsud).
KIRKOP Raisa Costantino, Jeanelle Falzon, Celine Galea, Kathryn Ellul (Mirea Ellul), Aleksandra Georgieva, Alessia Caschetto, Mariah Schembri (Francesca Borg), Yolande Attard, Marie Claire Cilia (Maria Ibrahim), Emma Zammit, Rodianne Zerafa.
Referee: Justin Camilleri
In the other game of the week, San Ġwann secured a historic victory in the senior women’s league after beating Mtarfa 2-0. Yulya Carella, who plays for Malta U-19’s, broke the deadlock in the first half while Kylie Pantalleresco wrapped up San Ġwann’s win with a second in the closing stages of the game.
SAN GWANN Alayah Borg, Annabelle Rapa, Kylie Pantallaresco, Daniela Camilleri, Lynn Mifsud, Rhea Borg, Yulya Carella, Kelsey Borg, Sarah Cioffi, Yana Scicluna, Mariah Micallef.
MTARFA Dorienne Grech, Loran Maria Cassar, Sarah Cassar, Brooke Zarb, Kelsey Ann Vella, Julianne Camilleri, Shania Marie Spiteri, Rebecca Zammit (Sarah Grech), Chanelle Agius (Sarah Cassar Dymond), Estelle Borg, Kaia Piccinino (Corine Deguara).
Referee: Stefania Bonnici