Birkirkara hold Cardiff Met Women in final group match

Birkirkara wrapped up their commitments in the UEFA Women’s Champions League after drawing 2-2 with Cardiff Met Women in their final Group 6 encounter in Ukraine on Monday.  The draw meant that Birkirkara gained their first ever point in their sixth appearance in this prestigious competition, emulating Hibernians who did the same in 2015 following a 3-3 draw against KI Klaksvik.  The game was balanced. It was Cardiff who broke the deadlock on 11 minutes when Erin Murray dribbled past goalkeeper Janice Xuereb before rolling the ball into an empty net. Birkirkara staged a reaction to level terms through Raina Giusti who poked the ball home at the far post to score the Stripes' second goal of the tournament. The Stripes’ joy was short-lived as their Welsh opponents restored their lead when Stephanie Turner profited from a defensive misunderstanding to hit the ball past the Birkirkara custodian.  However, Melania Bajada's girls refused to lie down. They managed to make it 2-2 when new signing Ylenia Carabott  fired a splendid volley from outside the area, registering her first goal for the club since joining from rivals Hibernians.  In their previous two games, Birkirkara lost 8-0 to Kharkiv and 6-1 to Olimpia Cluj. Birkirkara start their 2018-19 domestic campaign on September 18 when they face Hibernians in the Super Cup. The Maltese champions also open their league defence against their main rivals on October 16.  BIRKIRKARAJanice Xuereb, Jelena Sakic, Stephania Farrugia, Ann-Marie Said, Yasmeen Vella, Alishia Sultana (Samantha Zarb 63), Ylenia Carabott, Kim Parnis, Gabriella Zahra, Raina Giusti, Tracy Teuma.  CARDIFFEstelle Randall, Stephanie Turner, Rebecca Mathias, Naomi Clipston, Jessica Westhoff, Eleanor Walker-Smith, Aimee Phillips, Robyn Pinder, Grace Corne (Kitty Wells 45), Erin Murray, Olivia Thompson (Chloe Tiley 83).  Referee: María Dolores Martinez Madrona (Spain). Scorers: Giusti 27; Ylenia Carabott 44 (B); Murray 11, Turner 35 (C). Yellow cards: Ann Marie Said 80', Stephania Farrugia 61', Raina Giusti 83' (B).