Championship contenders Hibs and Birkirkara returned home with a point each after a 2-2 draw in an entertaining Division One match at the Luxol Stadium earlier this week.
Both teams were all-out in search of victory to keep the pace with Mosta at the top of the standings. However, it was the Hibs girls who had the better start and opened the score inside the first minute when Ruth Steer-chetham released hot-shot Ylenia Carabott who blasted her shot past the goalkeeper.
Birkirkara were shocked and took several minutes to regroup.
Before that happened, Hibs had scored a second goal, this time Steerchetham beating Janice Xuereb from an angle.
The Stripes had started the day three points behind Mosta and couldn’t afford any other slip-ups in their bid to retain the league title.
They doubled their efforts and the woodwork came to Hibs’ rescue before Rachel Cuschieri put her side back in the reckoning with a well-taken goal.
The second half saw Birkirkara more in the picture as they pounded the solid Hibs’ rearguard in search of an equaliser.
The Paolites, however, had their own chances to seal the match and on one occasion keeper Xuereb was on the right spot to keep out Carabott’s inswinger from a free-kick.
Then, five minutes from time, the Stripes were rewarded for their efforts when Kelly Agius Pace beat the Hibernians keeper to draw the two teams level.
The result means Mosta and Hibs are now sharing the top position with 23 points, two ahead of Birkirkara and four better off than fourth-placed Gozo FC.
Mosta, however, have a game in hand.
At the Sannat ground, Gozo FC proved too strong for Ħamrun Spartans whose fate was sealed midway through the match.
In fact, the Spartans lost 4-0 with all goals for the host team coming in the first half through Michelle Zuber (2), Tracy Theuma and Emma Xuereb.
Ħamrun improved after the break but the damage had already been done. They’re still without a win and only have a point to show to continue sharing bottom place with Tarxien who got beaten 3-0 by mid-table side Pembroke in their last outing.
Hibernians: S. Cremona, R. Cauchi, M. Azzopardi, S. Zammit, C. Sciberras, C. Zammit, D. Tonna, E. Agliano, C. Vella, R. Steerchetham, Y. Carabott.
Birkirkara: J. Xuereb, Y. Vella (K. Groves), M. Cardona, S. Farrugia, K. Agius Pace (S. Sciberras 86), R. Cuschieri, G. Zahra, A. Sultana, K. Parnis, I. Mazzitelli (R. Giusti 68), M. Cilia.
Referee: Emanuel Grech.
Tuesday's Fixtures
Mosta ground: 20.15 Mosta vs Mġarr United.
Luxol stadium: 20.15 Raiders Luxol vs Fgura United.