Matchday 18

Nadur Youngsters - 2 vs S.K. Victoria Wanderers - 2

Nadur Youngsters ended their season with a 2-2 draw with S.K.V.W last Sunday at the Gozo Stadium courtesy to a brace by Claudio Antunes. Nadur had ten players from their Under 21 squad, out of the starting eleven. And all the new youngsters on the pitch, despite lacking experience gave a very good display that confirms their promising future with the Whites.

Saved Penalty

The match was an extremely entertaining contest, and despite having nothing for stake both teams fought hard to earn all the three points. Matthew Muscat, the Under 17 goalkeeper replaces Steve Sultana in the Nadur goal and he immediately shined as he saved a penalty by Manuel Cordina for a foul on Ajibade Adesina after barely ten minutes of play. The Wanderers, however managed to take the lead on the 20^th minute when Ige Adesina won space in the Nadur area and fired a low shot that gave Muscat no chance.   The same goalkeeper was twice providential to keep his team in the contest. First he saved with his foot a low drive by Ajibade Adesina who was unleashed by Sciortino and then came out brilliantly to block Cordina’s run just before the break.

Antunes brace

Claudio Antunes, better known by the Youngsters fans as Cadu struck twice in the second period in the space of three minutes. First he was protagonist in a negative way as he missed the second penalty of the match just after the break following a foul on teenage stiker Joseph Grima. The Brazilian soon made up for his mistake. Josef Buttigieg, who was introduced in the second half concluded one of his trademark runs on the flank with a pin point cross towards Cadu who made no mistake and levelled matters. Then came the third penalty of the match, this time awarded to Nadur following a foul on Buttigieg. Cadu took charge from the spot-kick and this time unleashed a fierce shot that hit the back of the net.

Last match

Being the last match of the season, and playing with such a young squad, all the whites, on and off the pitch would have extremely loved to end the season with winning ways. These hopes were shattered 13 minutes from time when Ajibade Adesina edged the offside trap and after dribbling Muscat, made the score 2-2 . Cadu’s hopes of reaching Cordina as the league top scorer were also shattered as he was sent off near the end. The fifteen goals scored by him were not enough to reach Manuel Cordina with 16 goals.

Sunday, 25th April 2010 at 14:00 pm
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Scorers: Claudio Antunes 64', 67' pen. (N), Ige Adesina 21', Agibade Adesina 75' (SK).
Nadur Formation: Matthew Muscat, Jonathan Said, Michael Zerafa (Mario Portelli), Saviour Attard, Ryan Meilaq, Charles Mercieca, Christian Debono, Joseph Grima (Josef Buttigieg), Claudio Antunes, Gary Hili, Ian Xuereb.