High-flying Stripes meet Raiders in first outing of 2021

After a short break during the festive season, the BOV Women’s League resumes with leaders Birkirkara looking to cement top spot as they face Raiders Għargħur, at the Dingli Ground tonight (20.45).  For Birkirkara, the winter break was shorter than expected as they had to recover a handful of matches which were rescheduled due to COVID-19 issues. In fact, the Stripes claimed two wins in their games against Mtarfa (12-0) and Kirkop United (2-1) which were played on December 19 and December 22 respectively. These wins enabled Melania Bajada’s side to regain top spot with 21 points after seven outings, scoring 40 goals and conceding just twice. Forwards Raina Giusti and Christabel Oduro have contributed to Birkirkara’s tally with 14 goals in total with Alishia Sultana and Veronique Mifsud grabbing five each to share 10 goals between them. Skipper Stephania Farrugia, Tracy Teuma and Gabriella Zahra found the net three times this season with the other goals scored by Valentina Rapa (2), Izabella Camilleri and Ileana Farrugia who form the youth core of the Stripes. Raiders, on their part, have six points to show from seven games, although their tally does not offer a fair reflection of their performances so far this season. Led by Swiss coach Denis Guerra, Raiders defeated Mosta and Mtarfa to chalk up their two victories so far, with midfielder Leanne Micallef being the club’s top scorer with two goals. Among his team’s ranks, Guerra can bank on newly-arrived goalkeeper Giulia D’Antuono and Maya Lucia, fresh from a maiden call-up with the senior women’s national team. Title challengers Mġarr United and Swieqi United will both be in action as well as they face Mtarfa and Mosta respectively. The Greens take on Mtarfa at their own ground, tonight (kick-off: 20.30). After eight games, Patrick Curmi and Bryan Falzon’s side are on 19 points, three distant from Birkirkara but having played an extra game. They are coming from a 4-0 victory over Raiders with striker Francesca Chircop netting a hat-trick. The former Hibernians forward leads the championship scorers’ list with 12 goals so far, two ahead of Kirkop United’s Rodianne Zerafa. After eight games, Mtarfa are still looking for their first points of the season but their recent performance against Kirkop (5-3 defeat) should lift their confidence. Meanwhile, Swieqi will be wrapping up this matchday with a clash against Mosta tomorrow at the Dingli Ground (kick-off: 20.45). The Oranges obtained a 4-2 win over Kirkop in their last outings as they sit third on 16 points with eight games played so far. Youth forward Demi Magrin remains their top scorer with six goals followed by Malta international Emma Xuereb, who turned 29 today. On the other hand, Mosta have picked up six points from eight games with one of their latest matches being a 3-0 win over bottom side Mosta. Youth players Yulya Carella, Shania Borg and Leah Alice Ayres netted the winning goals– they are the club’s top scorer with two goals each alongside Kylie Pantalleresco. PROGRAMMETODAYMĠARR GROUND – 20.30Mtarfa vs Mġarr UnitedDINGLI GROUND – 20.45Raiders Għargħur vs Birkirkara TOMORROW – 20.45DINGLI GROUNDMosta vs Swieqi United Bye: Kirkop United. STANDINGS:Birkirkara (7 games) 21 points; Mġarr United (8) 19; Swieqi United (8) 16; Kirkop United (8) 12; Raiders Għargħur (7) 6; Mosta (8) 6; Mtarfa (8) 0.