Melita First Division League - Matchday 1

Nadur Youngsters - 1 vs Victoria Hotspurs - 1

 - by Saviour Attard

Nadur Youngsters kicked off their new league campaign on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Victoria Hotpurs F.C at the Sannat Ground. Kalin Ganchev’s second half strike cancelled out Nadur’s early goal scored debutant Brazilian striker Wesley De Oliveira.

Playing for their first league match of the season, Nadur improved a lot from their last match against S.K.V.W and the team looked well positioned in all departments. Results were yielded as early as the 7^th minute of the match when De Oliveira headed home brilliantly following an inch perfect cross from Youngsters captain Anthony Portelli. The same Brazilian striker had the chance to double his team when he managed to edge past Victoria back four but his close distance effort ended wide. Charles Hili had a long distance shot by Goalie Marki Grima on the half hour mark. It was all Nadur now and just before the break after that Joseph Portelli had another effort that ended high , a cross shot by Josef Buttigieg hit the foot of the post.

It is true that often when you lose the chance of the second goal, the equaliser will arrive sooner or later. And this was what happened to the Youngsters. Victoria’s ex-player John Paul Grima had a good chance to double the lead but Grima was quicker on him as he rushed to block his run. And against the run of play the Hotpurs managed to grab an un-deserved equaliser. Sierra Leone’s John Kanu won a free-kick on the edge of the area and Ganchev’s deflected effort completely surprised Sultana in Nadur’s goal. The reds re-gained more confidence now but Nadur’s rearguard managed to neutralize. Joseph Portelli had the chance to win it for the Whites near the end but his low shot inside the area was well parried by Grima.

In the other match on Sunday , Sannat lions were held to a 1-1 draw by Xewkija Tigers. Nadur will now face Ghajnsielem this Sunday at 5 pm and Sannat Lions the following Thursday. The final of the Independence Cup will be played between the capital city rivals SK Victoria Wanderers and F.C Victoria Hotpurs on the 21^st of September.

Sunday, 12th September 2010 at 17:00 p.m.
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Scorers: 7' Weslei De Oliveira (N), 65' Kalin Ganchev (VH).
Nadur Y. Formation: Steve Sultana, John Paul Grima, Jeffery Meilaq, Darko Stojanovic, Josef Buttigieg, Saviour Attard, Charles Hili (Christian Debono), Milos Stojanovic, Joseph Portelli, Anthony Portelli (Joseph Grima), Weslei De Oliveira (Ian Xuereb).
Coach: Frankie Muscat (View Profile). 

Photos By Joseph Mercieca  www.gozovision.com