Nadur Youngsters -1- Kercem Ajax -1-

18.10.08                                                                                                                                                         Gozo Stadium

                Nadur Youngsters brought to a halt a negative run of six defeats, which started on the first of May 2008, when they figured out a 1-1 draw with Kerċem Ajax.  The Greens (in Blue outfit) should feel lucky to get away with a point, with their goal coming in their only real attack.  After the resignation of coach Mario Bonello, after their last match, the Nadur team was prepared for this match by their Captain, Anthony Portelli.  There were signs of improvement but the team still lacks that goal scoring touch.  Both sides were eager to get all points at stake to get away from the last positions in the table and the draw contented no one.  Maybe the referee could have done better with less use of the whistle;  otherwise he had a fine performance. 

                Nadur started very aggressive and a J. M. Portelli’s try ended just over the bar.  A. Portelli solo action between 3 players finished with his hopeful try going well wide.  Nadur gave Kerċem no breathing space in these initial stages of the match and managed to open the score on the 6th minute.   Nadur won a free kick, half way in the Ajax half, and Aleksandar Simoncic gave V. Galea no chance with a superbly taken kick.   Nadur kept pressing as Kerċem’s reaction was inexistent.  Nadur had an overhead kick by I. Ginev controlled well by Galea.  Play slowed down a bit from the initial stages when both defences were controlling easily the forwards, and there were no more goalmouth dangers to report during the first half, apart from some corner kicks that finished without danger.

                Kerċem came out for the second half more aggressive and an action between M. Stojanovic and F. Camilleri ended with the latter shooting wide from a very favourable position.   A. Simoncic had another dangerous free kick ending a bit off target and on the other side a fine by J. P. Mizzi from a free kick was easily saved by Sultana.  On the hour, Kerċem drew level.  Tabone won the ball just inside the Kerċem’s half, passed to M. Stojanovic who found the unmarked Josef Debrincat who placed the ball into the corner of the posts.  Nadur’s reaction was immediate and a J. Buttigieg try just missed the target.  J. M. Portelli shot was somehow cleared inside the 6 yard box, following a well taken corner kick by Simoncic.  I. Ginev long range cross was met by J. Portelli Said (making his return into the Youngsters team) but his shot was deflected away to safety.  Nadur were unlucky not to go ahead when they had 3 consecutive tries somehow cleared when another corner by Simoncic brought havoc inside the Kerċem’s area.  Nadur kept pressing for the winner and their best chance came when a cross by Simoncic was taken first time by B. Timotic but V. Galea somehow managed to clear by the tip of his foot.  The final whistle found the score line one apiece and none of the teams happy with it.

                This match happend to be on the eve of the 50th Anniversary from the Youngsters first ever match which was played on the 19th of October 1958.   It was a match valid for the 'M. G.' Cup semi final and the score was also a one all draw.  The scorer on that occasion was Damian Said.  For information, Nadur won the replay 1-0 with a goal scored by Joe Cauchi.

Referee: Mariano Debono

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