Melita First Division League - Matchday 12

S.K. Victoria Wanderers - 0 vs Nadur Youngsters - 4

 - by Saviour Attard

Nadur Youngsters eased up the pressure following the loss with Xewkija Tigers, with a 4-0 demolition of S.K Victoria Wanderers yesterday at the Gozo Stadium. Joseph Portelli gave the Youngsters an early lead with a fine solo goal and Anthony Portelli headed in from close range few minutes before the break. Nadur added two more in the second period through the same Joseph Portelli and Christian Debono. The win puts Nadur four points behind league leaders Sannat , with seven games left to play. Sannat,however have a game in hand against Victoria Hotpurs to be played this Sunday.

Following the awkward display two weeks ago against the Tigers, Nadur had to return back to top form against a side that they always struggled against with a dissapointing record of zero wins in the last three seasons. Nadur managed to keep up the right tempo through out the whole match and the early lead proved to be an injection of self confidence in the squad, a factor that seemed to have vanished in the last games.

The match was only 15 minutes old when Anthony Portelli unmarked Joseph Portelli who controlled the ball and fired a low shot from an angled position that went in. The goal was of vital importance and despite the pressure that the Wanderers started to apply, Nadur ‘s rearguard dealt well. On the 30th minute SK’s goalkeeper Franklin Vella denied Ian Xuereb his first goal with Nadur with a fine save from a close range shot. However, Nadur managed to double their lead few minutes before the break when Anthony Portelli headed in an empty net from an Ian Xuereb cross following a blunder by SK’s Goalkeeper Franklin Vella.

In the second half Nadur had a two-goal cushion that managed to reduce their pressure that helped them dominate their opponents in the first part of the match. The Wanderers pressed for the goal that would have put them right back but practically there was no real danger for the Whites apart from a fast counter break by Agibade Adesina who concluded poorly on the hour mark. They seemed to be a much more different side that always troubled Nadur in recent matches. To make things worse for the Blues, Christopher Sciortino was sent off following a remark he made to the referee. It was only Nadur from now onwards and 15 minutes from time they sealed the issue from another goal by Joseph Portelli with a fine shot from the edge of the area. The Whites added a fourth near the end this time through a superb strike by substitute Christian Debono.

With this victory Nadur made sure of the third place in the table now that only one round is left to the end. This means that the next match will be played on the 10^th of February against the team that will finish fifth in the standings.

Sunday 23rd January 2011 at 15:00 pm.
Referee: Andre Arciola
Scorers: Joseph M. Portelli 14’, 78’; Anthony Portelli 40’, Christian Debono 88’.
Nadur Formation: Steve Sultana, Jeffery Meilaq (Jonathan Said), Mario Portelli, Saviour Attard, Darko Stojanovic, Josef Buttigieg, Milos Stojanovic (Christian Debono), Charles Hili, Ian Xuereb (Joseph Grima), Anthony Portelli, Joseph M. Portelli. 
Coach: Frank Muscat.