Melita First Division Match 4

Nadur Youngsters FC - 2 vs Xaghra United - 2

The main match of the fourth day of the championship lived up to the expectations as Nadur Youngsters and Xaghra United produced an exciting match that produced four goals and good play. Both sides were aiming to clinch the full points at stake to retain their unbeaten record and to take the leadership on the table. With this result Nadur lost their first points after three consecutive wins so that they are now co-leaders on the table with Xewkija Tigers. On the other hand Xaghra remain at the second place with just two points behind the leaders.

The final score is quite just. Nadur produced their best play during the first period but found it hard to recover from an early goal scored by Xaghra. The Blues were reduced to ten players just after the half hour mark and Nadur leveled the score seconds from half time. During the second period Xaghra shared play despite having a player less on the field. They also managed to regain the lead but Nadur scored a dramatic equalizer deep into stoppage time. The two sets of players had a positive performance. Xaghra's defensive department was instrumental during the first half to resist Nadur's pressure, while strikers Michael Bezzina and Thiago Dos Santos distinguished themselves during the second period. Nadur's midfield worked hard during the first half to keep territorial supremacy and retained composure when Xaghra became more dangerous after the break. The strikers were effective on the flanks but found little space when they tried to create danger from the heart of Xaghra's rearguard. The two coaches made effective tactical changes during the different stages of the encounter which at the end earned the deserved point for both teams.

Xaghra opened the score in the fifth minute of play when Thiago Dos Santos took advantage of some hesitation at Nadur's rearguard and deposited the ball into an open goal. Nadur were not demoralized and started to put pressure on their opponents. The Youngsters were very close to scoring on 23 minutes when a strike by Anthony Portelli from a cross by Paul Camilleri was deflected in corner by the defense. Three minutes later Xaghra's goalie Matthew Vella made a good intervention to deny Claudio Antunes from scoring following a cross by Joseph Grima and on the half hour of play the same goalkeeper made the best save of the evening to turn in corner a close ranged header by Milos Stojanovic from a cross by Antunes. On 36 minutes Xaghra were reduced to ten players when Mark Buhagiar was sent off for a second bookable offence. Nadur leveled the score on 45 minutes when Milos Stojanovic had a good shot from a free kick that was clear off the line by defender Simon Sultana but from the resultant action, Milos Stojanovic regained possession just outside the area and placed in goal with a low drive.

In the fourth minute of play of the second period Nadur lost a good scoring opportunity when Claudio Antunes fired incredibly high from a good position and on 55 minutes an attempt by Milos Stojanovic from a pass by Anthony Portelli missed the target. Xaghra were in a better shape after the break and approached Nadur's area with effective counter breaks. On 57 minutes Ejo Nkwocha headed badly from a good position following a corner kick by Michael Bezzina. The match became much more exciting particularly as the match approached the final stages. On 70 minutes Xaghra's Sam Frank Bajada had a low drive from outside the area that was neutralized by goalie Victor Agius and from the following counter break Xaghra's goalie Matthew Vella had to go out of his area to stop substitute Christian Debono from creating danger. From the resultant free kick Milos Stojanovic's attempt ended just wide. Minutes later another shot by Sam Frank Bajada was again saved by goalie Victor Agius and at the other end a strike by Joseph Grima missed the target. Nadur could have turned the result in their favour on 80 minutes but Claudio Antunes once again concluded badly from an ideal position an inviting pass by Anthony Portelli. The Youngsters were immediately punished for the missed chance as Xaghra regained the lead one minute later through an excellent shot directly from a free kick by Michael Bezzina that surprised Nadur's goalkeeper. Nadur were shocked and Xaghra tried to take advnatge and increase their lead. They went very close to make it 3-1 on 85 minutes when Sam Frank Bajada entered Nadur's territory from the right flank and from his low pass Thiago Dos Santos was unlucky as his strike hit the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten. Nadur regained courage for the dying moments and in the 90th minute Xaghra's goalie Matthew Vella and central defender Simon Sultana managed to stop the ball from crossing the line following a low drive by Charles Mercieca. Nadur's efforts were rewarded in the third minute of stoppage time when they saved the result following a prolonged action. Saviour Attard entered Xaghra's area from the left flank with a personal action but from his low pass Anthony Portelli failed to connect. The ball arrived on the other side of the area to substitute Ryan Meilaq who released Joseph Grima and the latter fired in goal with a low strike. Seconds from the final whistle Xaghra were again dangerous through a direct free kick by Thiago Dos Santos that was well saved by goalie Victor Agius.

Wednesday 23th November 2011 at 19:30 pm.
Referee: George Portelli
Scorers: Milos Stojanovic 45', Joseph Grima 90+3' (N); Thiago Dos Santos 5', Michael Bezzina 81' (XU).
Nadur Formation: Victor Agius, Paul Camilleri (Christian Debono), Charles Mercieca, Jeffery Meilaq (Ryan Meilaq), Brian Meilak (Shaun Muscat), Charles Hili, Milos Stojanovic, Saviour Attard, Anthony Portelli, Claudio Antunes, Joseph Grima.
Coach: Frank Muscat.

Source: Gozo Football Association