Hibernians faced Birkirkara on Wednesday night in front of a sizeable crowd at the Charles Abela Stadium. Coach Neil Zarb Cousin made two changes to the side that beat Swieqi, with Jessica Lee Dimech and Leanne Cefai drafted into defence.
It was Hibs who started the match on the front foot with Francesca Chircop’s cross finding EmmaXuereb at the edge of the box, her blocked shot bouncing akwardly in the box with Shona Zammit unable to get a clean strike.
Ten minutes later it was Zammit who threatened again, with a long range effort going just wide of the right post.
Birkirkara came close to taking the lead in the 12thminute when a ball played in from a corner hit the crossbar, with Jade Flask clearing well from the resulting corner. The post denied Birkirkara again in the 30th minute, the ball going out for a goal kick.
In an unfortunate turn of events, the ball was judged to have bounced off Jessica Lee Dimech’s hand just outside the area, with ten minutes left till half time. Carabott scored from the resulting freekick, with Birkirkara taking their lead into the break.
Dorianne Theuma was subbed on for the second half, the captain marking her return from injury. It was Hibs who had the first good chance after the break, with Chircop seeing her low shot blocked by Janice Xuereb four minutes into the second half.
A few moments later Birkirkara had a chance to double their lead from a dangerous corner where it not for the heroic efforts of Attard who tipped the ball over.
The 78th minute saw Hibs go close on a number of occasions. Xuereb made an excellent run into the box, cut back and squared a good pass to Chircop who fired wide of the left post. Zammit replied seconds later with a sublime strike she was unfortunate to see parried by the Birkirkara shot stopper. The Paolites were quick to win the ball back,with an encouraging attack cut short as Theuma was fouled a few yards outside of the box, her freekick clearing the crossbar.
Hibs were unlucky not to get a result on the night, despite a valiant effort, with the 35th minute strike the only difference between the two sides.