Nadur Youngsters FC | Champions Edge Closer to Retain Title.

Champions Edge Closer to Retain Title.

Thursday, 27 March 2008 16:30

Nadur Youngsters -5- Xagħra United -2-

28.03.08 Gozo Stadium

Champions Nadur Youngsters moved another step closer to retain their title when they easily saw off Xagħra United 5 - 2. In a match dominated by strong winds and sometimes heave rainfall, Nadur made their intentions clear from the beginning, and although they had to do without Josef Buttigieg and Marcos Rogerio Secco, both suspended, they controlled without difficulty throughout the whole match. The issue was close by half time and Xaghra only managed to make an impact on the match in the last 3 minutes when they scored their 2 goals for a more respectable score line. One had to congratulate the match officials for their good performance.

Nadur, starting with the wind behind them, had a nice try by C. Hili ending just over the bar, and soon after an inviting cross by A. Portelli was not met by J. M. Portelli. On the 11^th minute, Nadur had the ball in the United’s net, following a corner by A. Simoncic and headed in by J. M. Portelli, but the linesman flag was up for a presumably handball by the same player. The disappointment of the Youngsters fans lasted only a minute as from the following action, an A. Portelli’s dangerous cross was superbly headed in by Chidi Eric Nwankwo. Nadur dominance was evident and on the 15^th minute they doubled the score. Aleksandar Simoncic’s perfectly taken free kick ended directly inside the post. Xagħra were now in complete disarray, as the Champions were coming from all over the place, although after this second goal they slowed down a bit. The Blues custodian was kept busy all time, especially to intercept dangerous cross and from set pieces. A. Portelli took a short clearance by the Xagħra’s defence but saw his try just missing the upright. Gauci distinguished himself when he deflected a good effort by C. Camilleri into a corner. Again the set pieces specialist, A. Simoncic, took the corner which again was met by Chidi Eric Nwankwo, and deflected into goal. 3 – 0 on the 33^rd minute, and result wise the match was over. 5 minutes later the same action repeated itself. Gauci saved a cross by C. Camilleri into a corner and from the same corner; Aleksandar Simoncic scored directly goal number 4 for the Youngsters, with a bit of help by goalie Gauci. C. Camilleri tried a bullet shot from the half way line that brought out a superb save by Gauci. The half time whistle was very welcomed by both sets of players as they had to endure difficult weather conditions.

Xagħra, now with the wind behind their back, opened the 2^nd half with a good try by L. de Castro from the kick off, that was saved by Xuereb off the crossbar. The same crossbar denied J. Mercieca’s kick from the resultant corner kick. Although Xagħra were seeing more of the ball they rarely bothered Xuereb and the Youngsters defence was covering very well. C. Hili’s cross was met by A. Portelli but Gauci was well placed to clear the danger. Soon after, J. M. Portelli saw Gauci saving well his low angled shot. The same J. M. Portelli hit high an inviting cross by A. Simoncic. C. Camilleri’s solo action ended with A. Simoncic failing to connect from close range. Gauci did well to save C. Hili’s shot with the rebound coming into the patch of C. E. Nwankwo, but his effort was again saved well by Gauci. Nadur kept the pressure on and another well taken shot by A. Portelli was saved by Gauci, the rebound falling to C. E. Nwankwo, whose soft conclusion was met by a half volley kick by defender Jeffrey Meilak, into the net on the 81^st minute. Nadur released the pressure and Xagħra hit them with 2 goals in the last 3 minutes of the match. On the 87^th minute, Sylvan Galea, escaped his marked, following a fast break, and had no difficulty beating Xuereb, and then Joseph Mercieca had his name on the score sheet following a goal directly from his corner kick. Not much of consolation for Xagħra who are now anchored at the bottom of the table with 3 matches remaining. Nadur on the other side continued marching towards the 10th Title in their History and now they need 4 points from their last 3 matches to mathematically secure it.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant

Nadur Youngsters Formation : Jonathan Xuereb; Peter Buttigieg; Jeffrey Meilak; Dejan Odavic; Saviour Attard; Aleksandar Simoncic; Chris Camilleri (Shaun Muscat); Charles Hili; Chidi Eric Nwankwo (Edgar Portelli); Anthony Portelli (Mario Portelli); Joseph M. Portelli.

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