Youngsters Unbeaten in First Round

Nadur Youngsters continued with their winning streak, this time they beat eternal rivals Għajnsielem 2-1. On a very slippery pitch, Nadur controlled much of the match and scored an early goal to settle the match for their style. Għajnsielem had more of the ball but the Youngsters defense was again in good form. Nadur lost central defender Marcos Rogerio Secco, injured early in the second half. Nadur conceded their first goal of this campaign. Nadur’s goal remained intact for 578 minutes, since they last conceded a goal in the 54^th minutes of their last league match of last season vs Sannat Lions.

Nadur came out firing on all cylinders and from a corner kick by C. Camilleri, M. R. Secco was unlucky to hit the post. But Nadur did opened the score on the 2^nd minute when Chidi Eric Nwankwo easily put the ball behind Agius after picking up a loose ball in the area. Nadur kept insisting and Captain A. Portelli should have been more altruistic then trying a shot from long distance. J. M. Portelli found C. Camilleri in a good position, but his shot hit the side netting. Għajnsielem began to press for the equalizing goal and a nice try by J. Ogbuleme was superbly saved by Xuereb into a corner. Xuereb was in good form again when he punched for another corner a free kick taken by B. Meilak. A nice piece of action between J. M. Portelli, A. Portelli and C. Camilleri ended with the latter’s shot going just wide. A solo action by C. Camilleri from his favorite left, ended with the ball just over the post. Għajnsielem were dangerous again when a short corner by B. Meilak to L. Buttigieg provoked havoc in the Youngsters area but Xuereb made a reflex save on a short range header by H. Doda. On the other side Agius had to be at his best to deny Nadur their second goal when he saved a tremendous shot by J. M. Portelli following a cross by A. Portelli. This was the last action of the first half.

As expected, Għajnsielem came out for the second half looking for the equalizer, but it was Nadur that were very unlucky when a cross shot by J. Buttigieg hit the post with Agius well beaten. With Għajnsielem pushing forward without much conviction, Nadur began to operate with fast counter attacks and Agius had to do another fine save to deny C. E. Nwankwo his personal second goal. Substitute S. Attard (in for the injured Secco) found J. M. Portelli but his powerful shot was again saved by Agius. The same Agius could not deny Joseph M. Portelli when, on the 76^th minute, he took a cross by C. Camilleri and hammered the ball into the corner with another powerful shot. The Champions were now in complete control and a long range shot by C. Tabone for Għajnsielem went well over the bar. J. M. Portelli’s perfect cross was well met by A. Portelli, but his try from a good position ended inches wide. Agius then made a very difficult save from an A. Portelli’s shot. On the 2^nd minute of added time, Għajnsielem scored a consolation goal, when Haruna Doda placed the ball behind Xuereb from a melee in the Youngsters area. The referee gave 6 minutes of added time, but Nadur were not to be denied their well earned victory. They now lead the table with maximum points from 6 matches, 5 points over 2^nd placed Victoria Hotspurs and 8 more then Sannat Lions. Għajnsielem are 4^th, 10 points behind the Champions.

Nadur Youngsters Formation: Jonathan Xuereb; Marcos Rogerio Secco (Saviour Attard); Peter Buttigieg; Jeffrey Meilak; Josef Buttigieg; Dejan Odavic; Chris Camilleri; Charles Hili (Shaun Muscat); Chidi Eric Nwankwo; Anthony Portelli; Joseph M. Portelli.

Nadur Youngsters Players Celebrating the second GOAL

Celebrations at the Youngsters Club - First Round UNBEATEN