Leaders Birkirkara target win as they face Mtarfa in women’s league

MFA Women’s League leaders Birkirkara will be looking to follow up last week’s victory over title challengers Mġarr United with another three points. In this week’s MD12 games, the Stripes will take on Mtarfa as they look to stretch their lead to six points as the Greens will be serving a bye this week. Birkirkara are at the back of a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Mġarr United which allowed them to open a three-point gap at the top of the championship. The Stripes clinched victory thanks to Veronique Mifsud’s third consecutive goal in this calendar year. Led by coach Melania Bajada, Birkirkara have now won nine games in 10 outings with a scoring record of 44 goals. With just three goals conceded, they boast a goal difference record of +41. They lead with 28 points, three ahead of Mġarr who will not be playing in this week’s slate of fixtures. Mtarfa, on their part, have written a new chapter in their short history in women’s football after recording their maiden victory at senior level. In fact, Simon Spiteri’s team defeated San Ġwann 1-0 to lift themselves into second bottom, with four points. In the process, they recorded their first goal of the season and their second clean sheet in this campaign – their first was in the corresponding fixture against San Ġwann (0-0). Meanwhile, third-place Swieqi United will face Raiders Lija who sit six points behind them in a intriguing clash. The Oranges have moved into third after opening the new year with three straight wins including last week’s against Kirkop United. Now led by coach Billy Mock, they have scored 19 points in nine games with 43 goals scored – the second best offensive record of the league. Their title hopes had suffered a blow in the first round when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Tuesday’s opponents. Raiders Lija can be considered the revelation team of the 2021/2022 campaign having collected 13 points in nine league outings. Under the guidance of Denis Guerra, Raiders have won four games and drew once in their nine league fixtures with a record of 23 goals scored and 10 conceded. In the other game of the week, San Ġwann take on Kirkop United in an important clash in the bottom half of the championship. San Ġwann are anchored at the bottom with just one point to show for their efforts whereas Kirkop have collected just six points in nine league games. In the first round, Kirkop emerged winners with a 3-1 scoreline.  THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES TUESDAY – 20.30San Ġwann vs Kirkop United, Mġarr Ground Swieqi United vs Raiders Lija, Dingli Ground – 20.45 WEDNESDAY – 20.30 Birkirkara vs Mtarfa, Mġarr Ground MD12 bye: Mġarr United. Photo c/o: Mark Zammit Cordina/Malta FA.