10.04.08 Gozo Stadium

Nadur Youngsters were denied the victory they definitely deserved in the dying moments, when still shocked by the accidental injury to central defender Marcos Rogerio Secco, surrendered their 2-1 lead. It was a very entertaining match with Qala going ahead early in the match through a nice curving shot, and Nadur turning the result in their favour with 2 superbly taken goals. Nadur were the best team throughout the whole match and have only themselves to blame for dropping 2 very important points. They created many scoring opportunities, but failed to get that crucial 3^rd goal that could have secured the points. This is football and when you miss the chances you will regret them after. Qala, on their part, continued climbing away from the relegation zone. Nadur were without their regular goalkeeper Jonathan Xuereb, and midfielder Dejan Odavic, both suspended.

Nadur started in great form, with Qala content to play the ball away from their danger zone. A J. Buttigieg shot was easily saved by Aktpan. Qala had a nice try by M. Mifsud that K. Vella, back in the Youngsters goal after more then a year, did well to chip for a corner. C. Camilleri found A. Simoncic, and the Serbian midfielder shot hit the side netting. On the 19^th minute, surprisingly, Qala forget ahead. Mario Mifsud, after receiving from M. Cordina, surprised K. Vella with an in swinging shot that ended just inside the left hand post. Nadur were shocked but managed to recover well. On the 24^th minute they equalized when a cross from the right was superbly headed in by Aleksandar Simoncic. Nadur kept the pressure on and Aktpan had to come off his line to clear on C. E. Nwankwo. On the 26^th minute, Nadur took the deserved lead. A. Simoncic stole a ball from a defender, passed to Joseph M. Portelli, who after going round another defender beat Aktpan with a low shot from just inside the 18 yard box. Nadur were all over Qala now and Aktpan had to save a free kick by Simoncic. The same Aktpan was called to make a spectacular save following a lob by C. Camilleri, and soon after he had to clear away a fine try by J. M. Portelli with the help of the post. A solo action by C. Camilleri ended with Aktpan making another difficult save to keep his side in contention. Qala had an attempt by d. Lautier easily saved by Vella. Nadur were dangerous again when M. R. Secco header was deflected to safety, following a corner by Simoncic.

The same pattern of play continued in the second half. Aktpan was soon called to make a difficult save on a free kick by Simoncic. Qala had a rare chance when K. Vella was called to make his best save of the night following a fine shot by M. Cordina. A. Portelli’s cross was met by C. Camilleri, only to see Aktpan saving his low shot. Nadur were unlucky when from an A. Simoncic corner, M. R. Secco’s header was cleared off the fatal line by Abela. A. Portelli’s lob was easily saved by Aktpan. C. Camilleri’s header following a cross by A. Portelli was stopped by the crossbar. Aktpan was kept very busy and without any doubt he was the best player on the pitch. He did well to deny J. M. Portelli’s shot from ma free kick by Simoncic. C. Camilleri hit the side netting following a solo action. Qala survived all this Youngsters bombardment and were unlucky when a header by M. Bonello was cleared off the line by P. Buttigieg. On the 90^th minute, Nadur’s Brazilian central defender accidentally dislocated his elbow and Nadur throw the ball out of play so that he can be medicated (in fact he was taken to hospital). On the resumption of play, Qala took advantage of this (not the best of sporting act as Qala were expected to give the ball back to Nadur) when from the throw in, M. Cordina’s cross was headed inside the Nadur net by Dione Lautier. There was no time for a Nadur’s reaction and the match ended in a 2 all draw. Nadur now lead the table with 4 points over Victoria Hotspurs with 2 matches left, one of them the direct clash. Both teams have to face Sannat Lions before that crucial match.