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| Hotspurs eliminate Nadur |
| Wednesday, 16 November 2011 08:17 |
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MFA Trophy Nadur Youngsters FC - 1 vs Victoria Hotspurs - 2
The Youngsters had a better start and in the 10th minute Victoria's goalie Mark Grima was called to get out of his position to block an effort by Milos Stojanovic. As time passed by the Hotspurs gained confidence and started to produce some danger towards Nadur's defense. On 19 minutes Nadur's goalie Matthew Muscat had good reflection to steal the ball off Alex Tramboo from a corner action. Six minutes later Nadur's Caludio Antunes produced a good move on the left flank and from his cross Milos Stojanovic once again found goalie Mark Grima at the right place to block the danger. Victoria replied minutes later with an attempt by Daniel Farrugia from an angled position that was well saved by goalie Matthew Muscat. The Hotspurs opened the score on 28 minutes. Daniel Farrugia released Oliver Farrugia in Nadur's territory and the latter placed in goal with a low drive. Just after the half hour mark Victoria's goalie Mark Grima once again made an important intervention to deny Claudio Antunes from scoring. However, Nadur's efforts were rewarded in the 44th minute when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Alex Tramboo on Milos Stojanovic and Claudio Antunes converted from the spot kick to make it 1-1 before the break. In the second minute of play of the second period Nadur went very close to take the lead but Milos Stojanovic's lob over goalie Grima was cleared off the goalmouth by James Farrugia. Victoria replied three minutes later through a long ranged free kick by Alex Tramboo that was neutralized by goalie Matthew Muscat. The citizens regained the lead on 51 minutes when Oliver Farrugia stole a ball from Nadur's rearguard and from his low cross Ian Xuereb netted from close distance. Nadur had an immediate reaction and in the following minutes they produced pressure on Victoria's defense where goalie Mark Grima distinguished himself with a series of fine saves. On 57 minutes Victoria's goalie saved with difficulty a fine strike by Charles Hili and two minutes later the extreme defender blocked two consecutive shots by Milos Stojanovic and Claudio Antunes following a melee in the area which ended with a shot by Shaun Muscat that went wide. On 63 minutes Nadur's Ryan Meilaq unmarked Claudio Antunes but the latter shot high from a good position and two minutes later the same Meilaq had a good shot that just missed the target. On 66 minutes Victoria were dangerous through another fast break by Oliver Farrugia but Ian Xuereb failed to connect to the inviting cross and on 73 minutes the same Farrugia produced another good ball to Ian Xuereb but the latter concluded high from a good position. Victoria could have made sure of the victory ten minutes from time when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by goalie Matthew Muscat on substitute Shaun Attard but Daniel Farrugoia's shot from the spot kick was saved by the goalkeeper. Nadur's best opportunity to save the result arrived four minutes from time through a free kick by Claudio Antunes that missed the target.
Sunday 13th November 2011 at 17:00 pm. Source: Gozo Football Association |
Victoria Hotspurs took immediate revenge for the heavy defeat conceded the previous weekend against Nadur Youngsters with a victory in the match from the second round of the U*Bet FA Trophy. Victoria's win matured following a prudent match where they were well concentrated at their defense and operated dangerous counter break that at th e end produce d the goals that mattered. The Hotspurs could have also scored a third goal but Nadur's goalie Matthew Muscat saved a penalty kick ten minutes from time. Nadur's defeat was quite unexpected. They seemed overconfident in their approach and also were punished for missing some good scoring opportunities.
