Nadur Youngsters -2- Għajnsielem -1-

Precious Win for Nadur

Nadur Youngsters showed true character to get the 3 points at stake against Għajnsielem, in a match that brought an end to the second round. Nadur won by 2 goals to 1thus making a double over Għajnsielem, and now lead the table by 4 points over Victoria Hotspurs, 5 above Sannat Lions and 10 points over the same Għajnsielem. The latter, with this defeat, can say goodbye to their championship hopes. Nadur’s performance was great, and the team looked determined to take control of the match from the early stages.

Nadur went on the attack, facing the wind, and managed a couple of corners in the early stages. From one of them taken by A. Simoncic, A. Portelli’s header just missed the post. This was the prelude of teh goal that comes on the 4th minute. A short corner by Simoncic, the ball was passed to Chris Camilleri, just outside the 18 yard area, and the latter found the back of the net with a tremendous shot that surpriced everyone. With Għajnsielem visible shocked, Nadur had a try by Nwankwo going wide. C. Camilleri had to leave the pitch injured for a few minutes, during which period B. Meilak’s try from way outside the area, was well saved by Xuereb. A cross from the left by C. Camilleri ended with an angled shot by A. Portelli on the side netting. Another fine cross by Camilleri and this time Għajnsielem keeper, Agius did well to get to the ball before J. M. Portelli could control. The Blacks had a shot by Tavares missing the target.completely. Nadur doubled the score on the 35th minute. A nice move by C. Camilleri found Chidi Eric Nwankwo unmarked and the Nigerian had no difficulty in placing the ball into the empty net. Għajnsielem reacted with a nice shot by D. Okanu with Xuereb saving into a corner. On the 38th minute, Nadur rearguard was slow to react on B. Meilak, who’s cross was directed by the unmarked Dominic Okanu into the net to made it 2-1. Just before half time, from a V. Tavares perfect cross, B. Meilak brought out a fine save from the Whites custodian, Xuereb.

The second half saw the Champions controlling without much difficulty and a corner by Simoncic just missed the upright. A free kick by B. Meilak form Għajnsielem ended just wide. Għajnsielem were having more of the ball without creating real danger. A cross by Okanu to the unmarked Tavares, whose shot was blocked by J. Meilak. From another free kick by B. Meilak, Tavares’s lob went just over with Xuereb covering the patch. J. M. Portelli went inside the Għajnsielem area only to shoot high, and soon after the same Portelli’s shot hit the side netting. Għajnsielem were desperately looking for the equiliser and had the ball in the Youngsters net, only to found out that the linesman’ flag was up for an offisde.

It was a desreved victory for the Leaders, who now goes into the third and final round with a 4 point advantage.

Referee: Paul Apap