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| Nadur re-join Xewkija at the top |
| Tuesday, 03 January 2012 07:47 |
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Melita First Division Match 7 Nadur Youngsters FC - 3 vs Sannat Lions - 1
Nadur had an excellent start and opened the score in the second minute of play. A fine shot from an angled position by Claudio Antunes was saved with the aid of the woodwork by goalie Adrian Parnis and from the rebound Anthony Portelli pushed the ball into an empty goal. The Youngsters continued to dictate matters but efforts by Claudio Antunes and Anthony Portelli ended wide. Sannat started to operate dangerous counter breaks as time passed by. In the 18th minute a free kick by Diego Maradona Petriaggi was easily saved by goalie Matthew Muscat. One minute later Sannat's Eric Nwankwo entered Nadur's territory in a counter break but his shot ended inches wide. Nadur continued to suffer Sannat's breaks and on the half hour of play Nwankwo once again produced a fine move but from his pass Diego Maradona Petriaggi incredibly concluded wide from an angled position. Three minutes later Nadur almost doubled the score when a clearance by Sannat's Mark Muscat from a cross by Claudio Antunes hit the base of the post and from the rebound Anthony Portelli was unlucky to see his shot bouncing on the same post. On 34 minutes Nadur's Christian Debono had a good shot from outside the area that ended wide and four minutes later Claudio Antunes also failed to hit the target with a shot from long distance. Nadur increased their lead on 45 minutes through a fine header by Milos Stojanovic to convert a free kick by Claudio Antunes. The Youngsters maintained their momentum after the break and Claudio Antunes made it 3-0 after just three minutes of play. The Brazilian striker won a loose ball from his direct opponent and netted with fierce shot with the ball hitting the two posts before crossing the line. Sannat were now demoralized and in the following minutes Nadur continued to produce dangerous actions. On 53 minutes Anthony Portelli incredibly concluded high from close distance after receiving from Milos Stojanovic and two minutes later a strike by Ryan Meilaq was blocked by goalie Adrian Parnis. On 58 minutes Nadur's skipper Anthony Portelli once again concluded wide from close distance an inviting pass by Saviour Attard. One minute after the hour of play Nadur were reduced to ten players when central defender Charles Mercieca was sent off for handling the ball just outside the area and stopping a goal scoring opportunity to Sannat's Eric Nwankwo. From the resultant free kick Sannat were unlucky when Nwankwo's shot hit the post. Nadur replied on 67 minutes through a shot from an angled position by Claudio Antunes that ended high. Sannat reduced the deficit on 74 minutes when a clearance by Nadur's Saviour Attard hit substitute Josiah Buttigieg and as the goalkeeper was out of his position, the ball ended into an open goal. Until the end Nadur administered their two-goal lead and Sannat never threatened to re-open the issue.
Saturday 31st December 2011 at 13:00 pm. Source: Gozo Football Association |
Nadur Youngsters registered a comfortable 3-1 win over Sannat Lions in their first match of the second round so that they remain co-leaders with Xewkija Tigers. Nadur's win practically arrived with the least possible effort as they scored three goals during decisive moments of the match. The took an early lead and doubled the score just before half time so that they scored their third goal after just three minutes of play into the second period. Nadur managed to resist Sannat's reaction during the second part of the first period so that they administered play with authority once they had the three-goal lead. Sannat also failed to take advantage of the extra player during the last half hour of play so they they only scored their consolation goal following a mishap at Nadur's defense.
