High-scoring wins for Stripes, Melita

Two high-scoring results were registered on the 19th day of the Women's League, increasing the total of goals to 175.

After Melita cantered to a convincing 5-0 victory over Raiders, second-placed Birkirkara hit 10 goals past a weak Rabat Ajax side who have yet to obtain their first point after 13 matches.

By the end of the first half Birkirkara were already home and dry after storming into a six-goal lead courtesy of hat-tricks by Rebecca D'Agostino and Eleonora Agliano. This was D'Agostino's second hat-trick of the season after she had struck the same number of goals in her team's encounter against Mosta.

Birkirkara added another four goals in the second half with a brace from Elaine Bonnici, a strike by Chantalle Demanuele and an own goal from Charmaine Ciappara. J.C. Saliba was the match's referee.

Maria Coppola's opportunism was very much in evidence in Sunday's first match. The Melita striker was on target three times in the opening 30 minutes to set her team on their way to a resounding win over Raiders.

On the stroke of half-time, any hopes Raiders might have had of clawing their way back into contention were dashed when Nadia Gauci hit Melita's fourth goal.

Raiders' reaction after the change of ends produced a string of goalscoring opportunities but they were thwarted by Melita goalkeeper Tagliaferro.

An Amanda Atkins attempt on 50 minutes was blocked by Tagliaferro but her most decisive save came five minutes later when she deflected for a corner Atkins's strike from the penalty spot. Debutant referee Sylvana Scicluna awarded the penalty after Sonia Farrugia was floored by Jacqueline Abdilla.

Twenty minutes from time, Melita scored their fifth goal through Gauci. To make matters worse for Raiders, Scicluna, who made a series of dubious decisions during the match, ordered the Raiders coach off the bench and red-carded Denise Midolo for dissent.

Although young referees need encouragement to advance in their careers, they should not be put in charge of competitive matches from a senior league before they are ready to cope with the pressure. Sunday's match between Melita and Raiders was a case in point.

Best scorers: Dorianne Theuma (Hibernians) 16 goals; Sarah Caruana (Hibernians) 15; Rebecca D'Agostino (Birkirkara) 13; Chantalle Demanuele (Birkirkara) 12; Amanda Atkins (Raiders) 10.

Sunday's matches: 9 a.m. Hibs vs Mosta; 11 a.m. Melita vs Birkirkara.