Melita First Division Match 9

Nadur Youngsters FC - 6 vs  Victoria Hotspurs - 1

Nadur Youngsters became the new sole leaders of the Melita Division I championship with three points obtained from a handsome win over relegation strugglers Victoria Hotspurs. The Youngsters recovered from a goal down and dominated the rest of the match to clinch the victory in style. Nadur's Brazilian striker Claudio Antunes scored a brace to consolidate his leadership as top scorer of the category with ten goals. Young striker Joseph Grima also marked his good performance with a brace. For this match the Hotspurs had Romanian striker Gregory Galbuta who made his debut.

Nadur came out more determined as they needed the victory for this match to take advantage of Xewkija's draw registered in their match of the ninth day of the championship. On 16 minutes Victoria's goalie Mark Grima was called to make a good save following a shot by Claudio Antunes. Nadur were surprised one minute later when Victoria's Ian Xuereb opened the score with a fine strike from outside the area to put the Citizens in the lead. Nadur ahd an immediate reaction and on 22 minutes a fine header by Milos Stojanovic was turned on the crossbar by goalie Mark Grima and from the resultant corner action two consecutive attempts by the same Stojanovic and Joseph Grima were cleared off the line. In the following action Vitoria's Alex Tramboo handled the ball in the area and the referee awarded a penalty so that Claudio Antunes leveled the score with his shot from the spot kick. On 39 minutes Nadur turned the result in their favour with a goal by Joseph Grima following a pass by Alex Simoncic. Victoria were demoralized and the Youngsters continued to be dangerous and went close to scoring through efforts by Anthony Portelli and Milos Stojanovic. In the first minute of stoppage time before the break Nadur scored their third goal through Claudio Antunes who concluded easily following a short clearance by Victoria rearguard.

Nadur continued to dominate after the resumption and in the fourth minute of play of the second period the referee awarded a second penalty to Nadur when substitute Anthony Briffa floored Claudio Antunes in the area and Anthony Portelli converted from the spot kick. On 58 minutes the Hotspurs suffered another set-back when they were reduced to ten players as Anthony Briffa was shown a second yellow card. On 72 minutes Nadur scored their fifth goal through Joseph Grima following a counter break and Alex Simoncic sealed the issue with the sixth goal that arrived eight minutes from time.

Sunday 22nd January 2011 at 15:15 pm.
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Scorers: Claudio Antunes 26' pen., 45+1'; Joseph Grima 29', 72'; Anthony Portelli 49' pen., Alex Simoncic 82' (N); Ian Xuereb 17' (VH).
Nadur Formation: Matthew Muscat, Jeffery Meilaq, Ryan Meilaq, Paul Camilleri (Mario Portelli), Alex Simoncic, Charles Mercieca, Milos Stojanovic (Christian Debono), Saviour Attard, Claudio Antunes, Anthony Portelli, Joseph Grima (Shaun Muscat).
Coach: Frankie Muscat.
Assistant Coach: Joe Camilleri.

Source: Gozo Football Association