Young Lexine Farrugia nets hat-trick in Birkirkara’s win over Swieqi

It was a memorable night for 14-year-old Lexine Farrugia as she scored a hat-trick in Birkirkara’s 3-1 victory over Swieqi United in the highlight match of the week from the MFA Women’s League. Birkirkara’s young starlet has now scored four goals in the six top-flight games that she has featured in so far. Thanks to Farrugia’s hat-trick, Melania Bajada’s side have chalked up their fifth win of the season as they remain at the top of the standings with 16 points, together with Mġarr United who defeated San Ġwann. Farrugia scored all three goals in the first-half between the 9th and 33rd minute to put Birkirkara in the driving seat for the rest of the game. Swieqi pulled one back through Jessica Dimech as they became the first team to find the net against the Stripes this season. For Birkirkara, there was the welcoming news of Janice Xuereb’s return between the sticks after a two-month absence from domestic football. Swieqi, on their part, have failed to win for the third consecutive game as they have now slipped to six points behind leaders Birkirkara and Mġarr. Mġarr put three past San Ġwann to keep track of Birkirkara and continue to share the leadership with the nine-time champions. Forward Francesca Chircop scored a brace as she is now the league’s top scorer with seven goals, one ahead of fellow Mġarr team-mate Brenda Borg. Rebecca Bajada was Mġarr’s other scorer – her first goal of the season. Elsewhere, Raiders Lija joined Swieqi on 10 points after securing a 2-0 win over Kirkop United to put daylight between them and the latter. Laura Muscat opened the score in the first half with a long-range effort before Leah Ayres wrapped up the win with her fourth goal of the season. Photos: Birkirkara and Tonio Magro.