Hibs in goal spree as Melita slump to surprise defeat

The women's championship resumed on Sunday with a three-match programme that saw Birkirkara having the better of Mosta 1-0 while Melita crashed to a surprising defeat to Raiders. The performance of the day belonged to leaders and champions Hibernians who thrashed Qormi 16-0.

In the opening match at Pace Grasso, Birkirkara notched their fifth win of the season, edging Mosta 1-0 to atone for their 2-1 upset in the corresponding first round fixture.

The unrelenting rain had an adverse effect on constructive football as both sets of players struggled to create any goalscoring opportunities.

Birkirkara took the lead in a rare attack on 51 minutes. Chantalle Demanuele turned past her marker before firing a central shot that had the better of Mosta goalkeeper Karen Camilleri.

Mosta could have drawn level two minutes later when goalkeeper Nina Dimech misjudged Jane Coates's cross from a corner but Ann Marie Vella failed to connect with the ball and the chance was lost.

On 63 minutes, Dimech had to rush out of goal to block the advancing Karen Lia who was put through by Victoria Saliba. Two minutes later, Saliba's shot finished just wide.

Ten minutes from time, Dimech was caught out of position but luckily for her, Coates's long-range shot finished over and with that, Mosta's hopes of gaining an equaliser faded away.

Melita's hopes of keeping some sort of pressure on leaders Hibernians suffered a blow after a 2-1 upset to a gallant Raiders' side.

Raiders were the better team throughout the first half but only managed to convert one of the seven goalscoring opportunities that came their way.

Amanda Atkins threatened twice for Raiders early on but her efforts finished just wide. On 14 minutes, Rebecca D'Agostino's free-kick for Melita missed the target while at the other end goalkeeper Simone Zammit blocked Atkins free-kick.

Raiders drew first blood on 42 minutes when Atkins's shot took a deflection off Connie Scicluna and completely surprised goalkeeper Zammit.

After the change of ends, Raiders kept pushing forward but Melita were unlucky not to draw level when Michelle Zammit's shot came off the upright.

On 70 minutes, Raiders doubled their lead, Marcia Zammit firing a low shot home after controlling Atkins's pass.

Melita pulled one back three minutes later, Daniela Micallef heading the ball home from a D'Agostino cross. The Amateurs intensified their efforts in a bid to save the match but D'Agostino and Micallef shot wide from inviting positions.

Hibs' dominance

The last match of the day produced a goal feast as Hibernians dismantled Qormi to the tune of 16-0 to increase their goal tally to 71 this season for a rate of 8.8 goals per match.

As the final scoreline indicates, it was a one-sided affair with the Paolites already ten goals up at the interval.

Ylenia Carabott was on target five times for Hibs, Kathleen Saliba and Dorianne Theuma hit four goals each, Dionne Tonna two and Tessie Agius netted once.

Teams Line-ups

Birkirkara: N. Dimech, S. Sammut, A. Scicluna, D. Pisani, I. Mazzitelli, V. Attard (C. Demanuele), C. Camilleri, R. Cuschieri, K. Agius Pace, E. Agliano, S. Farrugia.

Mosta: K. Camilleri, A.M. Vella, M. Deguara, L. Piscopo, P. Cohen, J. Coates, K. Lia, A. Debono, V. Saliba, R. Chircop, F. Sammut.

Melita: S. Zammit, D. Allingham, J. Ellul Soler, C. Scicluna (M. Zammit), J. Abdilla, N. Pace, R. D'Agostino, R. Steerchetam, L. Tabone (D. Micallef), P. Borg, I. Vassallo.

Raiders: S. Farrugia, K. Mangion, D. Midolo, B. Axisa, K. Galea, A. Mifsud, C. Borg, D. Cassar, B. Axisa, A. Atkins, M. Zammit.

Hibernians: R. Tagliaferro, M. Debono, S. Debono, L. Shead (L. Caruana), M. Azzopardi (C. Sciberras), T. Agius (E. Gialanze), D. Tonna, D. Theuma, H. Wadelfalk (O. Borg), K. Saliba, Y. Carabott (R. Gialanze).

Qormi: R. Coreschi, R. Catania, D. Caruana, G. Stellini, P. Cuschieri, Y. Micallef, A. Grima, K. Pace, R. Attard, F. Magri, C. Leonardi.

Leading scorers: D. Theuma (Hibs), Y. Carabott (Hibs) 17 goals; D. Tonna (Hibs) 11; S. Farrugia (Birkirkara) 9.

Sunday's matches: 9 a.m. Hibernians vs Rabat; 11 a.m. Sta Venera vs Birkirkara.