MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

LEADERS NADUR HELD BY XEWKIJA

(J. Meilaq 83’)

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

(C. Camilleri 53’ pen)

J. Xuereb, Js. Vella, A. Fotso, P. Camilleri, M. Xerri (J. Azzopardi), C. Bugeja, J. Cefai (P. Rapa), Jh. Vella, C. Camilleri, B. Chibueze, R. Buttigieg (J. Xerri).

  Nadur Youngsters and Xewkija Tigers earned a point each from a draw of two goals in an interesting match where the result remained uncertain until the final whistle.  The two teams needed points from this encounter for different ambitions, the Youngsters were aiming to consolidate their leadership while Xewkija needed the victory to move away from the bottom of the table.  At the end it was a just result.  Nadur had a better start but Xewkija recovered well and also managed to take the lead.  However, the Youngsters produced a determined reaction and although they had a player sent off midway through the second period, they still managed to level the score.  Nadur also had a second player sent off seconds from the final whistle.

  The Youngsters had an excellent start and could have opened the score after just 30 seconds of play as Xewkija’s rearguard failed to clear the ball from the area and finally the sphere arrived to an unmarked Claudio Antunes who fired over the crossbar from an ideal position.  Xewkija also had a good scoring opportunity early in the match.  A shot by Chris Camilleri missed the target but the ball arrived to an unmarked Basil Chibueze who concluded badly from close distance.  In the 7th minute an attempt by Claudio Antunes ended high and on 23 minutes Nadur were again dangerous but a direct free kick by Alex Simoncic missed the target.  Play continued to be balanced where the two defensive departments prevailed over the respective strikers with the result that actions at the two goals were rare.  Nadur had the best scoring opportunity seconds form the break when goalie Jonathan Xuereb blocked a close ranged attempt by Kyle Russell and Patrick Camilleri cleared the danger in corner.  From the same corner kick a strike by Claudio Antunes form the edge of the area was turned in corner by goalie Jonathan Xuereb.

  Xewkija seemed more aggressive after the resumption and produced some pressure over Nadur’s rearguard. 

  Xewkija also managed to open the score on 53 minutes when the referee awarded a penalty for a tackle by Peter Paul Buttigieg on Manuel Xerri and Chris Camilleri converted from the spot kick. Nadur replied in the 58th minute through a header by Charles Mercieca from a free kick by Alex Simoncic that ended high.  Two minutes later Xewkija’s rearguard hesitated to clear the ball from the area following a free kick by Simoncic and from the resultant melee Claudio Antunes concluded wide.  Xewkija’s rearguard found itself in a similar situation on 65 minute when goalie Xuereb partially saved a close ranged header by Charles Mercieca but in this occasion the defenders managed to clear the ball from the danger area.  Nadur suffered a set-back on 72 minutes when Brazilian striker Claudio Antunes was sent off for an early shower after receiving a second caution for simulation.  However, the Youngsters increased their efforts as Xewkija failed to take advantage of the extra player on the field.  Nadur’s efforts were rewarded seven minutes from time when Jeffrey Meilaq headed in goal a corner kick by Alex Simoncic.  Play now became more exciting as the two teams tried to score the decisive goal.  Xewkija had the best scoring opportunities that arrived in the first minute of stoppage time through a header by Basil Chibueze that was neutralised by goalie Sultana and a shot by substitute Joseph Azzopardi in the third minute of stoppage time that missed the target.  In the fourth minute of stoppage time Nadur had Peter Paul Buttigieg sent off for a second bookable offence so that they ended the match with nine players on the field.

Referee: Marco Borg

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