Birkirkara cruised to a resounding 8-0 win over Pembroke in midweek to secure the women’s league title with a match to spare.
The Stripes’ championship success – their third in four years – was never in doubt as they are still unbeaten after 17 games... 14 wins and three draws.
Facing a youthful Pembroke team with an average age of 17, the experienced Birkirkara were in command from the start.
Inspired by the intelligent play of midfielder Rachel Cuschieri, Birkirkara raced into a five-goal lead by half-time.
Kelly Agius Pace scored a hat-trick inside the opening 32 minutes with the other goals coming from Cuschieri and Gabriella Zahra.
Birkirkara continued to dominate in the second half, adding three more goals courtesy of Cuschieri, Zahra and Kim Parnis who concluded the scoring 10 minutes from time.
With the three points in the bag, Birkirkara coach Johann Scicluna took the opportunity to introduce some young players in the second half while Pembroke also had several teenagers in their team, including 14-year-old Leanne Micallef.
The final whistle sparked scenes of joy among the Birkirkara players, technical staff and club officials.
“I dedicate this success to the Birkirkara committee members and supporters,” Scicluna said.
“As a team, we will now concentrate fully on the upcoming knock-out compe-tition as we have a chance of winning the double.
“We’re happy to have won the league and I want to congratulate my players for this achievement.”
Pembroke: R. Baldacchino, A. Rapa (D. Scerri 68), S. Cassar Dymond, M. Sammut, M. Sultana (N. Mifsud 75), S. Schembri, A. Grech (L. Micallef 46), T. Scicluna, M. Borg, J. Galea (G. Stellini 61), S. Cassar (S. Caruana 46).
Birkirkara: T. Dimech, S. Farrugia, C. Fenech, M. Cardona, K. Parnis, R. Cuschieri, I. Mazzitelli (R. Bonnici 58), G. Zahra (R. Giusti 65), M. Cilia (S. Buttigieg 60), K. Agius Pace (A. Sultana 65), R. Xerri (C. Schembri 51).
Referee: Stefan Pace.
Division Two
Mġarr United extended their perfect run to 16 games after easing past Żurrieq to the tune of 4-0.
The Division Two champions dictated matters from the early stages of the game but had to wait until four minutes from the end of the first half to open the scoring, thanks to a firm drive by Alison Debono.
Żurrieq defended well in the opening 30 minutes of the second as goalkeeper Keoney Demicoli effected a string of fine saves but Mġarr’s pressure produced three more goals in the final stages.
Brenda Borg grabbed the limelight when scoring a quickfire hat-trick between the 75th and 83rd minutes.
Other results: Tarxien Rainbows vs Lija/Iklin 6-0; Kirkop United vs Sta Venera 4-4; Naxxar Lions vs Żejtun Corinthians 3-0.