Melita First Division League - Matchday 13

Nadur Youngsters - 2 vs S.K. Victoria Wanderers - 1

 - by Saviour Attard

Joseph Portelli struck a clinical late winning goal on Saturday at the Gozo Stadium to complete a 2-1 victory for Nadur against SK Victoria Wanderers. Nadur went behind early in the second half through a goal by Ajibade Adesina. Milos Stojanovic levelled the score with a clever flick  and despite Antunes’ penalty miss , Portelli scored the winner  for Nadur with a fine solo effort.

Coming from a comfortable 4-0 victory over the same opponets Nadur seemed a very different side from the one that eased past through the Wanderes a few days ago and were dominated for a long period of the match until they grabbed the equaliser. Claudio Antunes made his debut for Nadur and Gary Hili replaced suspended defender Jeffrey Meilak. The Brazilian striker had a good chance on the half hour mark with as he sliced trough the defence but his shot went high over the crossbar. Nadur went close again few minutes later when Attard hit the crossbar following a long throw by Stojanovic. Ajibade Adesina again proved to be a continous threat for Nadur with his solitary runs and went close on the 40^th minute of play when his shot was partially saved by Sultana with the ball hitting the foot of the post and back in the goalkeeper’s hand. The same Adesina created havoc in Nadur’s defense when he squeezed past Hili from the left and fired a low shot that went only inches wide.

Nadur went behind few minutes into the second half when Adesina was unmarked by Zammit and placed behind Sultana with a low drive.  The whites were demoralized but still determined to get something from the match. They got back into it on the 67^th minute when Buttigieg bravely won a ball from the left and his cross found Milos Stojanovic well placed to deflect the ball on goal to level matters. It was game on now and Nadur knew that only a victory would keep their slim hopes alive. Coach Frank Muscat introduced Ian Xuereb instead of Hili and John Paul Grima replaced Mario Portelli on the left flank.

The Youngsters have to thank Sultana for keeping them in the match following a great reflex save from a header by Williams ten minutes from time. Nadur’s best opportunity of taking the lead arrived on the 82^ndminute when Anthony Portelli was tripped in the area by Williams and were awarded penalty. Antunes immediately collected the ball to take the spot kick but his shot went wide much to the disbelief of the players and supporters.   This appeared to be Nadur’s last chance of winning the match and also of staying in the race for the championship but there was more drama in store. On the 86^th minute a cross by Milos Stojanovic was held by Joseph Portelli who dribbled his marker and fired a shot in the roof of the net to give his side the lead for the first time in the match. Nadur managed to hold on for an important victory that keep Sannat close with five games left to play. Xewkija are up next this Sunday.

Saturday 12th February 2011 at 15:00 pm.
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Scorers: Milos Stojanovic 63’, Joseph M. Portelli 85’ (N)
Nadur Formation: Steve Sultana, Gary Hili (Ian Xuereb), Saviour Attard, Mario Portelli (John Paul Grima), Darko Stojanovic, Josef Buttigieg, Charles Hili, Milos Stojanovic, Claudio Antunes, Anthony Portelli (Joseph Grima), Joseph M. Portelli.
Coach: Frank Muscat.