Melita First Division League - Matchday 4

Nadur Youngsters - 3 vs St. Lawrence Spurs - 0

Nadur Youngsters recovered from the defeat conceded in their previous match of the championship and increased their ambitions with a 3-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs.  The Youngsters paved the way to the victory through a first half brace by Brazilian striker Wesley De Oliveira. The Spurs produced enough pressure to deserve an equalizer through the end of the first half. 

It took only eight minutes for Nadur to open the score.  Wesley De Oliveira entered St Lawrence territory following a through pass from Anthony Portelli, dribbled two defenders and placed in goal with a low shot.  The Spurs had an immediate reaction as Nadur tried to protect their early lead and keep the danger away from their area as much as possible.  On 15 minutes St Lawrence could have leveled the score when Christopher Cauchi came face to face with the goalkeeper but concluded wide from a good position.  In another occasion around the half hour of play it was Argentinean striker Franco Franchino who entered Nadur’s area in a solo action but his effort was well saved by goalie Steve Sultana.  The Spurs called for a penalty seven minutes from the break when Hugo Seco entered on the floor in the area following a contrast with his direct opponent but the referee waved play-on and the Portuguese striker was cautioned for simulation.  Nadur practically put their minds at rest from the three points with a second goal scored four minutes from the break.  Josef Buttigieg crossed from the right following a fast break and Wesley De Oliveira was at the right place to guide the ball in goal from close distance.

St Lawrence were nowhere to be seen after the resumption and did not seem convinced that they could recover the two-goal deficit.  Nadur took advantage of the situation and not only managed to administer play with authority but also scored a third goal on 58 minutes.  Charles Hili had a first attempt partially saved by goalie Samuel Micallef and from the rebound the same player placed easily into an open goal.  On 68 minutes St Lawrence’s goalie Micallef made a good save to block an angled shot by Anthony Portelli and minutes later a shot from outside the area by John Paul Grima missed the target.  In the final stages of the match St Lawrence re-approached Nadur’s area in an attempt to score at least a consolation goal.  In the 82nd minute a free kick from an angled position by Hugo Seco missed the target and in another occasion just one minute before the end of regular time an inviting low cross by substitute Matthew Francalanza passed in front of an open goal but the strikers failed to connect.

Wednesday 13th October 2010 at 19:30 pm
Referee: Paul Apap.
Scorers: Weslei De Oliveira 8’, 41’; Charles Hili 58’ (NY).
Nadur Formation: Steve Sultana, Jeffery Meilaq, Saviour Attard (Ryan Meilaq), John Paul Grima (Christian Debono), Darko Stojanovic, Charles Hili, Milos Stojanovic, Josef Buttigieg, Weslei De Oliveira, Anthony Portelli, Joseph Portelli.