Melita First Division League

Nadur Youngsters -0- Għajnsielem -1-

      Nadur Youngsters were narrowly defeated again, this time against eternal rivals, Għajnsielem.  It was a match of 2 halves, the first belonging to Nadur, who missed a few chances to open the score, while the second had the mark of Għajnsielem, who, besides the winning goal could easily have added a couple more.  With this defeat, Nadur finished empty handed for the 5th consecutive match and for the 3rd time this season.  The importance of this match was the fact that both sides had failed to secure all 3 points in their first match, and both wanted to keep in touch with league leaders and title favourites, Victoria Hotspurs, who have maximum points from 2 matches.  The Youngsters side lacked that coordination they usually have, while, still without their main striker, Joseph M. Portelli (curing an injury), their attacking force leaves much to be considered.  The Champions still have to open their goal account in this season’s campaign. 

       The match started with Nadur on the attack and they were unlucky when they had 2 consecutives attempts, first by A. Portelli, following a fine cross by I. Ginev, and from the rebound by F. P. Azzopardi, saved with difficulty by Xuereb. With Għajnsielem, playing aggressive football, and leaving very little space for the Whites to operate, it was again Xuereb who saved the day, when he turned into a corner a shot by A. Portelli, from an I. Ginev cross.  Luck was far away from the Youngsters side, as a well taken shot by A. Portelli beat Xuereb only to find the upright in his way.  Għajnsielem had a long range free kick by B. Meilak that ended well over the post.  Nadur went close again, this time from a corner kick by Simoncic, the header by B. Timotic, just went wide. 

        The second half started much like the first, and the Youngsters were dangerous with a fine try by F.P. Azzopardi that was again well saved by Xuereb.  The Blacks had a B. Meilak’s try cleared in time by J. Meilak.  Għajnsielem were getting more into the match, sensing that this was not to be the Youngsters day; they began to press a bit further.  E. Grima’s solo action was concluded by a fine header by K. Ndayi that hit the post before being cleared away by Sultana.   T. Lateff’s personal action proved havoc in midfield, and from his pass, Errol Grima, had no difficulty beating Sultana with a close range low shot.  Nadur’s reaction was a very confused one, and soon after they could have gone even more behind, when, following a nice cross by F. Galea, K. Ndayi beat the offside trap and comes face to face with Sultana who did very well to deviate the shot into a corner.  A B. Meilak shot ended high for Għajnsielem.  Nadur went close when a cross by S. Muscat was headed by A. Portelli just over the bar.  Nadur were lucky again when a cross by B. Meilak found K. Ndayi unmarked in the area but the striker, incredibly, shot over the bar with only Sultana to beat.  Nadur tried to push for the equalizer, even by employing J. M. Portelli in the final 5 minutes but Għajnsielem held tight.  Nadur did managed to put the ball into the Blacks net, but J. M. Portelli was in an offside position, and the goal was correctly disallowed by the match officials.

Referee:  George Portelli

Nadur Youngsters Formation: Steve Sultana; Peter Buttigieg (Joseph M. Portelli); Jeffrey Meilak; Branislav Timotic; Jonathan Said (Karol Mifsud); Aleksandar Simoncic; Saviour Attard; Frank Paul Azzopardi (Shaun Muscat); Josef Buttigieg; Anthony Portelli; Ivo Ginev.