- by Saviour Attard

A Brave preformance by all Nadur players produced only a  1-1 draw  yesterday in a very cold and rainy afternoon at the Gozo Stadium.Cadu was again on the scoresheet with a brilliant lob near the end of the  first period.The Hotspurs however managed to grab an equalizer that consolidates their position at the top of the table through Uchnna Anyanwu following a mix-up in the Nadur area.

The whites were deprived of a clear penalty near the end when Cadu was floored after a challenge by Alex Tramboo.Anton Zammit was well-positioned to see the foul but remained passive and continued play amongst the protest of the Nadur fans.

Nadur’s players went out with a huge motivation and only determined to beat their rivals.The game marked the return with the white shirt of Alex Ribic,the Serbian Striker that inspired Nadur to win the title in 2005 when he scored more than twenty goals.After 15 minutes of play it was him who released Anthony Portelli in the area who saw his shot saved by Grima.Ribic had another attempt from a long ranged free-kick that ended high.However it was Victoria who created the most dangerous opportunity  when Eric Nkwankwo shot high from a very good position.Nadur punished their opponents soon after.Cadu combined well with Ribic and managed to enter in the Hotspurs area.The Brazilian produced  a delightfull chip that  went in the net and gave Nadur a deserved lead.

The players entered the pitch under heavy rain for the second  half but  as  play resumed the rain stopped.Victoria Hotspurs came out fetching for the equalizer to defend their leadership and keep the distance from Nadur.A 50th minute header by Oliver Farrugia ended well over the bar and few minutes later it was Uchnna Anyanwu who had a shot deflected in corner by Peter Buttigieg.After 65 minutes of play Steve Sultana  intercepted well a cross  by Eric Nkwankwo.Nadur replied through a shot By Alex Ribic on the edge of the area that was well save by Grima.Victoria Hotspurs managed to levell matters 20 minutes from time.A free kick by Noel Borg created panic in Nadur’s area where Anyanwu was quick to divert the ball on goal.Nadur were demoralized and their opponents seemed to take advantage of this.Eric Nkwankwo had another effort that was saved by two attempts and John Paul Grima had a great opportunity soon after but was  not quick enough to conclude.Then came Nadur’s  penalty appeal.Paul Camilleri’ s low cross was controlled in the area by Cadu who dribbled Tramboo and was fouled  as he was going to pull the trigger.Everyone on and off the pitch waited for Zammit to point to the spot but astonishingly he was of other intentions and continued play.

The game ended in a draw that keeps Nadur two points behind the Hotspurs who have a game less than the whites.However it was a great performance by all Nadur players who gave more than their maximum to obtain all the three points.Nadur’s next match is on the 31st of January against S.K.V.W.Building up on yesterday’s display and training hard in the up-coming two weeks will be fundamental and will start providing winning results.We are still half way through the season so lets not wave the white flag already and hearten up.

Sunday, 10th January 2010 at 15:00 p.m.
Referee: Anton Zammit.
Nadur Formation: Steve Sultana, Peter Buttigieg, Charles Mercieca, Paul Camilleri, Mario Portelli (Chareles Hili), Jeffery Meilak, Saviour Attard, Josef Buttigieg, Anthony Portelli, Claudio Antunes, Alex Ribic.

Photos By Joseph Mercieca  www.gozovision.com