Nadur Youngsters FC | Youngsters Keeps Marching ON

Youngsters Keeps Marching ON

Thursday, 03 January 2008 15:44

OnVol First Division League

QALA St. JOSEPH -0- NADUR YOUNGSTERS -1-

03.01.08 Gozo Stadium

Nadur Youngsters continued with their winning ways when they defeated Qala St. Joseph to get their first double of the season and the 3^rd consecutive victory over their neighbours this season. Nadur were made to fight harder then expected but at the end it was a well deserved victory. Nadur started without midfielder Chris Camilleri, who was not feeling well, but managed to play the last minutes of the match.

Nadur came out attacking; looking for an early goal, but the stubborn Qala defence contained all that the youngsters throw at them. Aktpan was tested early on when he blocked a J. M. Portelli’s try following a fine move with A. Portelli. A free kick by D. Odavic was turned into a corner and a long distance shot by C. E. Nwankwo was saved by Aktpan. Qala tried to go forward and D. Abela’s long range shot went skywards. M. R. Secco blocked an attempt by J. Xerri. J. M. Portelli saw Aktpan easily getting his ill timed shot. On the other hand, C. Portelli try went just over the Youngsters post. Qala were getting more of the ball as Nadur were finding hard to dictate matters. Play was becoming confused with many simple mistakes, mostly in midfield. But on the 34^th minute, a powerful shot from the right by C. E, Nwankwo, was partially saved by Aktpan, with the rebound falling into the patch of the unmarked Anthony Portelli, who easily deposited the ball into the back of the net. This was the Nadur Youngsters all-time top score’s first goal in the League this season. Qala’s reaction never really came as Nadur went out for the second goal. Nwankwo’s cross was a bit too far for A. Portelli, who was in a very favourable position.

The second half was less attractive as the League leaders controlled without much difficulty. The Maroons were playing their heart out but were very limited in their actions, as one had to keep in mind that they were missing 3 key players. No real goal mouth actions and both goalkeepers were having an easy evening. Nadur became more adventurous in the last quarter of the match and Aktpan blocked a M. R. Secco’s try from close range following a corner kick by substitute C. Camilleri. A D. Odavic cross was met by Nwankwo, but the latter concluded badly from an ideal position. Nadur nearly gave the match away when they failed to clear their lines and P. Said failed to score in the following melee. Nadur shouted for a penalty when the ball seemed to hit C. Portelli’s hands in the area, but the referee waved play on. J. m. Portelli was denied the satisfaction of goal when M. Bonello cleared his try off the fatal line. Aktpan then denied C. Camilleri with an acrobatic save in the dying minutes.

With this victory, Nadur not only kept their 5 points lead over Victoria Hotspurs, but also preserved their 100% so far in the League.

Referee: Anton Zammit

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

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