Birkirkara had their title celebrations delayed by another week following a one-all draw against second-placed and outgoing champions Mosta at the Charles Abela Stadium, earlier this week.
Victory would have confirmed Birkirkara as champions with two matches to go but the Blues had other ideas as they were not ready to relinquish their title without putting on a fight.
In fact, this was a very close match and in the end a drawn result was a fair outcome.
The Stripes had a strong opening and took the lead on 15 minutes when Dorcas Debono released Isabelle Mazzitelli with a perfect pass for the latter to slot home from close distance.
Mosta upped their game and were unlucky not to draw level four minutes later but the woodwork came to goalkeeper Janice Xuereb’s rescue from a Blues’ free-kick.
Mosta, however, were rewarded for their persistence just before half-time when they scored an equaliser. Orianne Bedingfield was on the right spot to tap home a loose ball inside the Birkirkara box.
The Stripes played cautiously after the break, relying mostly on swift counter-breaks to surprise Mosta who adopted the long-ball approach but to no avail as the Birkirkara defence never yielded an inch.
Both teams gave their all but in the end they had to settle for a draw which mostly favoured Birkirkara. They should be crowned champions on Tuesday if, as expected, they beat Pembroke. The championship title would be Birkirkara’s fourth in the past six years.
Mosta: S. Costantino, R. Chircop, N. Pace, D. Theuma, K. Lia, R. D’Agostino, O. Bedingfield, R. Nolan, E. Xuereb, A.M. Vella (C. Cassia 65), N. Buttigieg (A. Muscat 75).
Birkirkara: J. Xuereb, S. Farrugia, C. Fenech, M. Cardona, Y. Vella, R. Cuschieri, I. Mazzitelli, G. Zahra, M. Cilia, K. Agius, D. Debono (A. Sultana 42, R. Xerri 84).
Referee: Jude Amin Utulu.
Division Two
Tarxien imposed their supre-macy over the Żejtun girls right from the start. They scored a quick goal through Gina Giam-banco who added another late on in a 6-0 romp for the Rainbows.
Goalkeeper Amy Plumpton did her best to stem the tide but after Kim Magro made it 2-0 just before half-time, Tarxien added more goals to their tally, the others coming from Roxanne Attard, Kristine Camilleri and Alessia Abela.
Other DIV. TWO results
Ħamrun vs Naxxar 12-0
Sta Venera vs Lija/Iklin 5-0
Melita vs Kirkop 1-1
KO Draw
The draw of the women’s KO preliminary round made this week by the Malta FA:
Sta Venera vs Gozo FC; Pembroke vs Żurrieq; Ħamrun vs Hibernians; Mosta vs Tarxien; Żejtun vs Kirkop; Naxxar vs Mġarr; Melita vs Lija-Iklin.
Birkirkara received a bye.