Matchday 2

Nadur Youngsters - 5 vs Kercem Ajax - 1

-by Saviour Attard

A hat-trick by Nadur striker Cadu helped the Whites beat Kercem 5-1 yesterday at the Sannat Ground. The Brazilian confirmed his killer instinct in front of goal with three well-worked goals. Anthony Portelli and Saviour Attard were the other two players on the score sheet as Nadur go top of the table on goal difference with maximum points from two matches.
Nadur completely dominated Kercem and made sure of the result in the first half of the game. The sky was grey and thick as both teams entered on the pitch with Nadur wearing their traditional white shirt and Kercem in an un-familiar blue. Nadur opened the score after 15 minutes of play when an Alex Simoncic free-kick Charles Hili was headed towards an unmarked Anthony Portelli who shot in the roof of the net .Few minutes later Simoncic was unlucky when he hit the post from another free kick. The second goal arrived in the 25th minute when Claudio Antunes known as Cadu was released in the box by Antony Portelli and placed well behind keeper Gauci with a low drive. Moments later, Nadur won a free kick towards the right flank. The set piece was taken by Simoncic, which found defender Saviour Attard well placed to convert the ball home and add a third. Kercem tried to react for Nadur‘s three goal lead and managed to do so when Josef Debrincat was fouled by Steve Sultana in the Nadur area. Referee Saviour Tanti awarded a penalty where Milos Stojanovic made no mistake. The Youngsters remained calm and struck again on the 38th minute. Kyle Russell crossed perfectly from the flank and found Cadu who headed on goal.

Charles Hili came close of scoring early in the second half when his long range shot hit the bar. Nadur‘s fifth goal came 20 minutes into the second half when Anthony Portelli‘s shot was partially cleared towards Cadu who blasted the ball in the net. The Youngster’s captain hit the post few minutes later when he was released by Kyle Russell. On the 83rd minute Kercem missed a golden opportunity to grab a consolation goal. Milos Stojanovic managed to beat the off side trap and passed to Josef Debrincat who shot the ball high with an empty post.

This win keeps Nadur with a perfect record in this league campaign. The Whites take on arch-rivals Ghajnsielem this Sunday and will play Victoria Hotspurs a week later. Both games will test Nadur’s title credentials as they are considered one of the hot favorites to battle for the top honours in Gozo.

Sunday, 11th October 2009 at 16:00 pm
Referee: Silvio Tanti
Scorers: Anthony Portelli 16', Claudio Antunes 26', 38', 71', Saviour Attard 27' (N), Milos Stojanovic 32' pen. (K).
Yellow Cards: Claudio Antunes, Josef Buttigieg, Ryan Meilak, Gary Hili, Steve Sultana (N), Milos Stojanovic (K).
Nadur Formation: Steve Sultana, Mario Portelli (Edgar Portelli), Paul Camilleri (Ryan Meilak), Saviuor Attard, Jeffery Meilak, Alex Simoncic, CHarlie Hili, Josef Buttigieg (Gary Hili), Kyle Russell, Anthony Portelli, Claudio Antunes.