Hibs rout Raiders to join Stripes on top

Champions Hibernians joined Birkirkara at the top of the Women's League after extending their unbeaten start to four matches, beating Raiders 4-0 on Sunday.

The Paolites produced another fine performance and could have won by a more comprehensive margin had it not been for a string of good saves by Raiders' goalkeeper Sonia Farrugia.

Lyndsay Shead shot them ahead after just two minutes and Dorianne Theuma doubled their advantage with another low shot three minutes past the half-hour.

The second half saw Hibernians continue to dominate, Dionne Tonna increasing their lead to 3-0 on 69 minutes. Hibs' stifling pressure may have unnerved the Raiders' defence but goalkeeper Farrugia maintained her composure despite the onslaught. The Raiders goalkeeper was prominent with a save from an Eliana Gialanze penalty 11 minutes from the end of normal time.

Six minutes later, Thereza Zammit scored the last goal of the game to give Hibs a 4-0 victory and take their tally for the season to 25. Birkirkara have scored 13 goals in all and like Hibs, have a perfect defensive record - no goals conceded after four matches. A fiercely-contested match is expected on Sunday when these two rivals are engaged in a direct confrontation.

In Sunday's other match, Mosta obtained their first points of the season when routing bottom team Rabat Ajax 4-0. Fallon Sammut and a Jane Coates brace gave Mosta a 3-0 first-half lead. Roxanne Gatt put the seal on their first victory with their fourth goal 17 minutes from time.

Leading scorers: D. Theuma (Hibs) 6 goals: S. Caruana (Hibs) 5; T. Zammit (Hibs) 4; K. Saliba (Hibs), R. D'Agostino (Birkirkara) and J. Coates (Mosta) 3.

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