ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

Nadur Youngsters obtain victory with second half goals

J Xuereb, FP Azzopardi (M Portelli), M Secco (K Mifsud), P Buttigieg, D Odovic, J Buttigieg (S Muscat), C Hili, C Camilleri, E Nkwankwo, A Portelli, J Portelli.

     Nadur Youngsters obtained a victory over Qala St Joseph with goals scored during the second period. Top favourites to defend the title Nadur found it more difficult than expected to obtain the victory, as Qala produced an excellent performance during the first half. The Youngsters made good use of their experience as they managed to come out of a difficult situation by punishing their opponents on the first mistake. Nadur’s protagonist of the victory was Eric Nkwankwo who was a continuous threat to Qala’s rearguard and crowned his performance by scoring a brace.

      Play took place mainly in the midfield during most of the first half. The two sides were very cautious at their respective defensive departments and the strikers found it difficult to create dangerous actions. The first dangerous action arrived in the 22^nd minute when Nadur’s Frank Paul Azzopardi concluded high after receiving from Eric Nkwankwo. Qala had a good scoring opportunity in the 31^st minute when Dione Lautier entered the area but hesitated to conclude so that his final pass did not reach an unmarked Peter Said, who was less than two metres from an open goal. In the 39^th minute Qala’s goalie Inim Aktpan went out of his position to deny Anthony Portelli form concluding in goal.

     Nadur came out more aggressive after the re start and were dangerous through attempts by Nkwankwo and Joseph Portelli. In the 54^th minute Nkwankwo incredibly concluded high after receiving from Anthony Portelli. The Saints lost their composure, suffered the pressure and found it difficult to produce danger. Not surprisingly Nadur opened the score in the 59^th minute. Anthony Portelli took advantage of a misunderstanding between Andreas Fotso and goalie Aktpan, and from his cross Eric Nkwankwo headed easily into an open goal. Qala went all out to score the equaliser. Nadur’s striker now found more space and in the 64^th minute they doubled the score. Joseph Portelli unmarked Frank Paul Azzopardi and the latter placed out of Aktpan’s reach with a low shot. Qala were not demoralised and in the 73^rd minute Nadur’s goalie Jonathan Xuereb saved a header by Andreas Fotso following a corner action. However, the Youngsters sealed the victory in the 80^th minute when Eric Nkwankwo escaped the defence with a personal action, dribbled the goalkeeper and placed easily in an open goal to make it 3-0.

Referee :        Mario Apap

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTOS COPYRIGHT PHILIP CASSAR (MOBILE: 99403613)