Birkirkara and Mosta record resounding victories

A goal extravaganza was served up in the women's league on Sunday as Birkirkara and Mosta recorded high-scoring victories over minnows Rabat Ajax and Sta Venera Lightnings respectively.

In the first match, Birkirkara netted four times in the first half on their way to a mammoth 9-0 success over Rabat Ajax.

As expected, Birkirkara were miles ahead of their opponents with Rebecca D'Agostino scoring four goals to climb to the top of the leading strikers' chart alongside Kathleen Saliba, of Hibernians. Both players have amassed eight goals so far.

The Stripes' winning margin may have been wider had they converted the chances that came their way. Christine Galea, the Rabat goalkeeper, effected a series of good saves but had to be substituted in the 65th minute after colliding with an opponent.

Apart from D'Agostino's poker, Birkirkara notched the other five goals through Catherine Camilleri (2), Melanie Zammit, Nadia Micallef and an own goal from Rabat's Marika Mizzi. Thanks to this victory, their fourth in as many matches, Birkirkara joined champions Hibs at the top of the table on 12 points.

In Sunday's second fixture, Mosta obtained their second victory, beating newcomers Sta Venera 4-0.

While Mosta's superiority was never in question, their performance left much to be desired, especially when compared to their gallant effort in the narrow 3-2 defeat to Birkirkara the previous Sunday.

Sta Venera continued to show improvement, producing a stout defensive display to go with their determination to avoid a humiliating defeat.

Jane Coates paved the way for Mosta's victory with an 18th minute penalty. Although the game failed to liven up in the second half, Mosta increased their pressure on Sta Venera to score three times without reply. Coates was again on target from the penalty spot before adding another one to complete a personal hat-trick. Roxanne Gatt grabbed Mosta's other goal.

Teams' Line-Ups

Birkirkara: N. Dimech (C. Tabone), A. Scicluna, S. Farrugia, R. D'Agostino, M. Zammit (S. Camilleri), C. Camilleri, N. Micallef, D. Pisani, S. Camilleri, S. Sammut, C. Demanuele.

Rabat A.: C. Galea (J. Bonnici), H. Rota, S. Cassar, M. Mizzi (B. Cutajar), C. Ciappara, D. Bonello, N. Kelly, D. Agius (C. Caruana), J. Zahra, L. Debono, C. Azzopardi.

Referee: Tristan Farrugia.

Mosta: K. Camilleri, A. Vella, M. Deguara, R. Gatt, A. Debono (Y. Fenech), L. Piscopo, M. Gatt (M. Vella), J. Coates, V. Saliba (T. Fenech), F. Sammut (J. Sammut), V. Deguara.

Sta Venera: F. Mangion, D. Gatt, N. Grima, R. Gatt, K. Tabone Desira, S. Vella, M. Carabott, C. Barbara, O. Cassar, J. Grech, M. Carabott.

Referee: Pierre Bonnici.

Leading scorers: K. Saliba (Hibs), R. D'Agostino (Birkirkara) eight goals; J. Coates (Mosta) six goals; S. Caruana (Hibs) five goals; E. Agliano (Birkirkara) four goals.

Sunday's fixtures at Pace Grasso:
9 a.m. Melita vs Hibernians; 11 a.m. Birkirkara vs Raiders.