Melita First Division Match 5

Nadur Youngsters FC - 2 vs S.K. Victoria Wanderers - 5

SK Victoria Wanderers registered their second win in the championship after a series of three draw with a fine win over second placed Nadur Youngsters. The match was quite entertaining and the result remained in contention until the last fifteen minutes of play. The protagonists of Victoria's win were undoubtedly Joseph Vella, who scored a hat-trick, and Kenneth Mercieca, who scored a brace. The citizens also had a positive performance at the defensive department considering that they managed to resist for long stretches Nadur's pressure to recover the deficit. Nadur's defeat leaves them now three points behind leaders Xewekija Tigers, just before the direct clash between the two sides in the last match of the first round. Nadur's main disappointment of the match was undoubtedly their weak defensive performance that at the end compromised their chances to retain their unbeaten record in the championship.

The Youngsters came out very aggressive and dominated the first minutes of play. They also opened the score in the 7th minute of play through Anthony Portelli who took advantage of some hesitation at Victoria's rearguard from a through pass by Milos Stojanovic and netted easily from close distance. The Wanderers replied one minute later through an effort by Edinson Sanchez Estrada that was well saved by goalie Victor Agius and minutes later the same goalkeeper went out up to the edge of the area to blocvk the danger before Sanchez Estrada could conclude in goal. The Wanderers leveled the score on the half hour mark through an angled low shot by Joseph Vella to conclude a through pass by Chris Sciortino. Nadur replied minutes later through a good effort by Joseph Grima from a pass by Milos Stojanovic that was cleared by goalie Franklin Vella. The citizens turned the result in their favour four minutes from half time. Ajibade Adesina released Kenneth Mercieca on the left flank and the latter dribbled the goalkeeper and netted with a shot towards the far post from a closed angle. Just before half time Nadur were dangerous through a shot by Claudio Antunes from a pass by Anthony Portelli that was saved with difficulty in corner by goalie Franklin Vella.

The Wanderers could have increased their lead during the early stages of the second period but an angled shot by Joseph Vella after just seventeen seconds of play ended inches high and on 49 minutes it wa Kenneth Mercieca who concluded wide from a good position. Nadur punished their opponents one minute later to make the score 2-2 through an excellent direct free kick by Claudio Antunes that surprised goalie Franklin Vella. One minute later Victoria's goalie Franklin Vella made the best save of the afternoon to turn in corner a fine shot on the run by Claudio Antunes. The3 Wanderers were not demoralized and regained the lead on 53 minutes through a close ranged header by Joseph Vella following a cross from the left flank by Kenneth Mercieca. Nadur's reply arrived on 62 minutes through a low shot by Anthony Portelli from a corner action that ended wide but four minutes later the citizens lost a golden scoring opportunity when Joseph Vella incredibly concluded wide in front of an open goal an inviting low pass by Kenneth Mercieca.

Nadur could have leveled the score on 75 minutes but a header by Milos Stojanovic from a cross by Joseph Grima ended wide. One minute later the Wanderers increased their lead through a fine header by Kenneth Mercieca from a corner kick by Joseph Vella. On 78 minutes a shot by Nadur's Charles Hili ended just high and three minutes later Victoria's Kenneth Mercieca missed the opportunity to register a personal hat trick when he concluded high from a good position. On 82 minutes Nadur had a good header by Claudio Antunes from a corner action that was cleared off the line by Simon Gatt with the goalkeeper beaten and one minute later the Wanderers were awarded a penalty. Edinson Sanchez Estrada entered the area from the left flank with a personal counter break but was floored in the area by goalie Victor Agius. The goalkeeper was red carded and Joseph Vella converted from the spot kick to register a personal hat trick and make the score 5-2 for the citizens. In the 90th minute Nadur were denied from scoring their third goal with a fine intervention by goalie Franklin Vella following a shot by Claudio Antunes and from the rebound substitute Christian Debono concluded wide

Sunday 4th December 2011 at 15:00 pm.
Referee: Mario Apap
Scorers: Anthony Portelli 7', Claudio Antunes 50' (N); Joseph Vella 30', 53', 88' pen; Kenneth Mercieca 41', 76' (SK).
Nadur Formation: Victor Agius, Mario Portelli, Charles Mercieca, Saviour Attard, Brian Meilak (Chris Debono), Ryan Meilaq (Matthew Muscat), Charles Hili (Shaun Muscat), Milos Stojanovic, Claudio Antunes, Anthony Portelli, Joseph Grima
Coach: Frank Muscat.

Source: Gozo Football Association