Nadur Youngsters -0- S. K. Victoria Wanderers -4-

11.05.09                                                                                                                                                                           Gozo Stadium

Nadur Youngsters ended their 2008-09 Season with a heavy defeat against S. K. Victoria Wanderers.  Nadur were without any of their foreigners. They had to do without the agile defender Peter Buttigieg out due to suspension, but nevertheless they gave a good account of them, and the 4-0 score line was too harsh on them.  To add salt to the injury, the Whites also had to play for more then 50 minutes with a player less on the pitch.  The Citizens did their part well and sealed victory with 3 goals in the last 20 minutes. All in all the Blues, who were with their best formation, deserved to go through to the final of the G.F.A. Cup.   This was the debut match for Chris Azzopardi, who had a good match.

The match started with the Citizens eager to find the early goal, but it was the Youngsters that looked more composed in midfield.  A free kick by A. Simoncic was flicked just wide by A. Portelli. S. Muscat beat his marker only to see M. Mercieca saving his shot.  On the other side I. Adesina’s cross was well intercepted by S. Sultana.  The same I. Adesina’s found A. Adesina with a nice cross, but the latter was timely challenged by S. Attard before he could control the ball.    Nadur were unlucky when a header by S. Muscat was stopped by the bar following a cross by A. Simoncic.  S. Sultana was called to make a save following a shot by F. Magrin, and soon after he had to do well to stop A. Adesina’s superb shot.  This was the prelude of goal, as on the 30th minute the Wanderers went ahead.  A long range cross by A. Williams was headed into the bottom left corner on the Youngsters net by Mark Buttigieg.  Nadur tried to hit back but a free kick by A. Simoncic hit the side netting.  On the 39th minute, Nadur went a player down.  Joseph Portelli Said made a very bad foul on F. Magrin and was shown the red card by the referee.  Nadur controlled the remaining minutes to half time.

The second half started with A. Adesina winning the ball just outside the Youngsters area but his shot was high.  A. Williams back pass was intercepted by J. Buttigieg but his shot went just over the bar.  .  M. Buttigieg’s cross from midfield was met by A. Adesina whose shot was well saved by S. Sultana.  Few minutes later, Sultana again denied A. Adesina, when he blocked his low shot from just inside the area.  An A. Simoncic’s free kick hit the foot of the post and from the rebound M. Mercieca blocked A. Portelli’s shot.  J. Refalo went close for the Wanderers, who on the 71st minute doubled the score.  A corner action was headed towards goal by M. Buttigieg only to be deflected into the net by the unfortunate, Jonathan Said.  The match was practically over now and Nadur gave debuts to Matthew Muscat (goalkeeper) and Paul Mercieca.  Nadur still tried to go forward and had a long ranged effort by S. Muscat ending just over the bar.  J. Buttigieg’s cross was headed by S. Muscat but ended in a corner.  On the 86th minute the score became 3-0 when A Adesina found Ige Adesina, in the Youngsters area and the latter had no difficulty in beating m. Muscat.  This action was reversed on the 90th minute and this time Abijade Adesina concluded the action started by I. Adesina, to maker the final score 4-0.

Referee: Reno Refalo

Nadur Youngsters Formation: Steve Sultana (Matthew Muscat); Jonathan Said; Mario Portelli; Saviour Attard; Aleksandar Simoncic;  Chris Azzopardi (Paul Mercieca) Josef Buttigieg; Ryan Meilak;  Shaun Muscat; Anthony Portelli (Edgar  Portelli); Joseph  Portelli Said.