Nadur Youngsters FC | Champions Back On TOP

Champions Back On TOP

Thursday, 21 February 2008 15:59

Onvol First Division League

Xagħra United -0- Nadur Youngsters -2-

21.02.08 Gozo Stadium

Nadur Youngsters, with a fine display, returned to the winning ways and back on top of the table. They beat Xagħra United by 2 goals to nil, an early goal and an injury time goal. Nadur played well but needs to regain their self confidence, that confidence that they showed earlier this season. Nadur's victory came after a draw and two defeats in their last three matches. With a match to go for the end of the second round, it was vitally important for the Champions to get out soon of that black patch. After getting the early goal, Nadur had their chances to secure the match but were either hesitant or denied by certain strange decisions. Xagħra tried their best but the Youngsters defence controlled well even if with a certain difficulty.

Knowing the importance of this match, the Champions went out for an early goal and managed to get it after only 3 minutes. A J. M. Portelli’s shot was cleared badly by the ‘Blues’ defence and Aleksandar Simoncic, with a great shot from outside the area gave Gauci no chance. With Xagħra shocked, Nadur went close with a nice try by C. Camilleri ending just wide. D. Gauci saved with difficulty an A. Simoncic well taken shot. Xagħra’s reaction was a free kick by L. Blanco de Castro going over the bar. A. Portelli’s cross from the right was met by J. Meilak, but his shot was stopped by the crossbar. Xagħra had an ambitious try by S. Galea from outside the danger area ending well away from target. Nadur were in complete command and Gauci had to be at his best to stop a C. Hili’s fine shot into a corner. A. Portelli just missed the upright and soon after an A. Simoncic free kick was cleared off the line by S. F. Bajada. C. Hili found C. E. Nwankwo in a very good position but the latter failed to capitalise. Another free kick by L. Blanco de Castro went high over the bar. J. Buttigieg had to replace J. M. Portelli due to injury.

During the second half, Xagħra tried hard for the equaliser but the Youngsters defence controlled well to the point that J. Xuereb was never called for any difficult saves. An action between C. Hili and C. Camilleri ended with the Xagħra defence clearing the danger away. Xuereb neutralized L. Blanco de Castro free kick. A. Portelli’s cheeky lob ended just wide following an inviting cross by Simoncic. Play was mostly in the central area as Xagħra were desperately trying to go forward but Nadur opted to control and going out on fast breaks. Nadur’s protests for a penalty went unheard when C. Camilleri was brought down as he entered the area, with the ball coming into the patch of S. Attard whose shot was well saved by Gauci. On the 4^th minute of added time, the Champions made sure of the 3 points. A. Portelli’s cross was brilliantly headed into the net by Chris Camilleri. There was no time left, even for the score board to change!! This goal brought the end to this entertaining match. Nadur now lead the table with 25 points, followed by Victoria Hotspurs on 24. Xagħra ends the second round, 3^rd from bottom, with 9 points.

Referee: Anton Zammit

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