CHAMPIONS IN STYLE

 

 

 

Nadur Youngsters -1- Victoria Hotspurs -0-

 

27.04.08 Gozo Stadium

 

Champions Nadur Youngsters had sweet revenge over 2^nd placed Victoria Hotspurs in a match that was meant to be a championship decider. The Whites have made sure of their 3^rd consecutive title and the 10^th in their history in the penultimate match of the season. This victory came after 2 consecutive defeats against the Reds. It was a joy to see the Nadur side of the Gozo Stadium completely packed up, the band returned to the ground and the Ultras did make sure they were there to be noted. Their vocal support, missing for some time now, was really welcomed by one and all. The fence opposite the Main stand was covered with banners of all sorts, all but one, in black and white. There was a banner brought up by the Hotspurs clan, saying ‘Grazzi Reds’, meaning ‘Thank You Reds’. All in all it was a day of celebrations and the atmosphere created was up to it. The Youngsters players entered the pitch with their hair dyed in white. It was a nice way to Celebrate on the occasion of the 50^th Anniversary of the Nadur Youngsters.

 

 

Past encounters between these two sides always turned out to be well contested, and this one was not an exception. It was well contested and the referee had a hard time to keep it calm. He needed to show a couple of yellow cards, and the worst hit by these was Jason Portelli who got the second one on the 27^th minute and was sent for an early shower. Both sides started cautious not give away any inch and play was mostly in the midfield. Nadur had the edge in attacking terms, and C. E. Nwankwo and J. M. Portelli should have created more damage to the Hotspurs defence. Nadur had a try by Captain A. Portelli, following a cross by C. Camilleri, that brought out the best of Grima in the Hotspurs goal. An A. Simoncic’s free kick was not connected by either C. E. Nwankwo or J. M. Portelli, and the chance was wasted. On the other side, a free kick by R. Saverino was well saved by Xuereb. A. Portelli’s shot went close for Nadur. Grima saved an A. Simoncic’s free kick and from the rebound, D. Odavic’s try was deflected to safety by the Hotspurs defence. Minutes before the break, J. M. Portelli’s goal bound shot was well saved by Grima. During the first minute of time added on, A. Portelli went on a solo action into the Reds penalty area. He beat the defence, dribbled the goalkeeper twice, before crossing to Joseph M. Portelli, who had no difficulty to head home from close range. This goal proved to be the winner.

 

Hotspurs tried to react in the early stages on the second half, but had only a dangerous free kick by Farrugia that went close. Nadur were controlling with certain ease, and had two attempts by Nwankwo finishing just wide. Nadur’s best chance to increase the lead came to A. Portelli, who incredible hit wide from an ideal position, following a melee in the Hotspurs area. Nadur were unlucky when Grima again saved well an A. Simoncic free kick and from the rebound he made a reflex save on a close range header by Nwankwo. Grima was kept very busy as the Whites were firing on all cylinders. He denied A. Portelli the taste of goal, when he turned into a corner a difficult chip by the Nadur Captain. C. Camilleri saw his fine taken free kick saved by the Reds custodian. Nadur’s celebrations nearly dented when a free kick by R. Saverino hit the crossbar just before the final whistle. The jubilant Youngsters clan welcomed the final whistle of referee Joe Attard, which finds them worthy winners and ended with a 7 point difference over the same Hotspurs. Both sides have now won 10 titles each.

 

Gozo F. A. President, Mr. Joe Cordina presented the Trophies and winning medals to the Youngsters players, in the presence of other GFA Officials.

 

Prior to this match, the Nadur Youngsters Under 13 team were also presented with their Championship Trophies by the same officials, to make it a day to remember to these future Nadur Stars.

 

Referee: Joe Attard