Melita First Division League - Matchday 10

Nadur youngsters - 3 vs St. Lawrence Spurs - 1

 - by Saviour Attard

Nadur Youngsters returned to winning ways on Sunday following a 3-1 victory over St. Lawrence Spurs at the Gozo Stadium. The win maturated half way of the first period of play when the whites hit three goals in quick succession through Milos Stojanovic, Ian Xuereb and Anthony Portelli. The win took the whites three points behind Sannat Lions but the latter re-established their six point lead with a victory over Ghajnsielem in the other match.

Following the two disappointing results in the previous matches with Sannat and Ghajnsielem, Nadur were determined to get all the three point against a less quoted side such as St. Lawrence. Milos Stojanovic put Frank Muscat’s side in front after just 20 minutes of plat as he headed from close range following some careless defending from the Spurs’ rearguard. Nadur doubled their lead two minutes later when Ian Xuereb fired a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced over the goalkeeper and went in goal. The spurs were unlucky again when Charles Mercieca failed to conclude in goal from close range. Again, Nadur punished their opponents for the missed opportunity on 25 minutes this time through their captain Anthony Portelli. The Youngsters’ captain controlled De Oliveira’s cross and fired in the in the top left corner of the net.

With the three points more than secured, Nadur controlled their opponents well till the end of the first period but the Spurs’ hit one back early in the second half through a low-shot by Yusuf Bouleshein. Nadur seemed a different squad and failed to create the good play that gave them a three-goal lead in the first half. However luck was on our side this time and the players held on for an important victory that keep the hopes for the title alive.

Nadur will play Xewkija Tigers this Sunday and S.K. Victoria Wanderers two weeks later before the start of the third and final round.

Sunday 26th December 2010 at 13:00 pm.
Referee: Mario Apap.
Scorers: Milos Stojanovic 19’, Samuel Micallef 21’ o.g., Anthony Portelli 25’ (NY), Yousef Boulehien 57’ (SL)

Coach: Frank Muscat