MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

IMPRESSIVE WIN FOR NADUR

S. Sultana, S. Attard, J. Meilaq, P. Camilleri (R. Meilak), A. Simoncic, M. Portelli (E. Portelli), C. Hili, K. Russell, J. Buttigieg (G. Hili), A. Portelli, C. Antunes.

(M. Stojanovic 32’ pen.)

D. Gauci, F. Camilleri (A. Grech), M. Tabone, J. Mercieca (E. Hussein), D. Sakic, D. Mercieca, J. P. Mizzi (A. Pace), M. Mamo, M. Stojanovic, M.A. Riberio, J. Debrincat.

     Nadur Youngsters registered their second consecutive victory in the championship in their match against Kercem Ajax.  Nadur dominated the match and practically made sure of the three points with four goals scored during the first period.  Nadur confirmed their strong potential and they will be undoubtedly among the main challengers for the honours this season.  The protagonist for the Youngsters was Brazilian striker Claudio Antunes who registered a personal hat-trick.   In this match they were extremely effective as they managed to conclude most the actions produced within Kercem’s territory.  The Ajax were aiming to win their first point in the championship from this match.  They had goalkeeper Donald Gauci (ex-Xaghra United) and Brazilian striker Marcos Aurelio Ribeiro (ex-Ghajnsielem) making their debut, but they completely lost composure as they suffered the first goal and as time passed by it became extremely difficult to recover the situation.

     Kercem create the first scoring opportunity of the match.  It arrived on 10 minutes through a strike from outside the area by Jean Paul Mizzi that ended just high.  However, Nadur opened the score six minutes later.  Kercem’s rearguard failed to clear outside the area from a long ranged free kick by Alex Simoncic.  The ball arrived to an unmarked Anthony Portelli who placed in goal with an angled shot.  Nadur gained confidence and in the 19^th minute Xaghra’s debutant goalkeeper Donald Gauci turned in corner an effort by Claudio An tunes following a solo effort. 

    Three minutes later the Youngsters were unlucky when a direct free kick by Alex Simoncic hit the post.  N the 24^th minute Nadur’s Kyle Russell incredibly concluded over the crossbar from close distance following an inviting low pass by Simoncic.  However, Nadur doubled the score two minutes later.  Skipper Anthony Portelli released Claudio Antunes in Kercem’s area and the Brazilian striker placed past goalie Gauci with a low shot.   

   Kercem continued to suffer pressure and one minute later the Youngsters increased their lead with a third goal scored by Saviour Attard, who flicked in goal a free kick b y Simoncic. 

   In the 32^nd minute Kercem reduced the deficit when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by goalie Steve Sultana on Josef Debrincat and Milos Stojanovic converted form the spot kick.  However, Nadur were still in the driving seat and five minutes later they were again dangerous through an angled shot by Josef Buttigieg that missed the target. 

   Nadur re-established the three goal difference on 38 minutes through a header by Claudio Antunes following a cross from the right flank.  Minutes later the same Antunes almost took advantage of a misunderstanding between the defense and the goalkeeper but his header was cleared off the line.

  Nadur continued to dictate matters after the break and in the 53^rd minute they were unlucky when a shot from outside the area by Charles Hili hit the crossbar.  In the 65^th minute the Youngsters went again close to scoring but Antunes concluded wide form close distance following an inviting pass by Kyle Russell.  Kercem replied minutes later through a shot from outside the area by Marlon Mamo that was well saved by goalie Sultana.  Nadur increased the score one minute later.  Goalie Gauci partially saved an effort by Anthony Portelli and from the rebound Claudio Antunes placed in goal to register a personal hat-trick.  In the 74^th minute a direct free kick by Kercem’s Milos Stojanovic ended high.  Nadur could have scored the sixth goal in the 77^th minute when Russell unmarked Anthony Portelli in the area.  The skipper dribbled his direct opponent but had his effort stopped by the crossbar.  Seven minutes from time Kercem’s Josef Debrincat incredibly concluded over the crossbar in front of an open goal following a fine move by Milos Stojanovic.  Nadur’s Antunes could have added another goal before the final whistle but his low shot from a good position that ended wide.   

Referee: Silvio Tanti

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