MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

KERCEM, NADUR SHARE THE SPOILS

(M. Stojanovic 20’, 27’)

C. Mercieca, F. Camilleri, M. Tabone, D. Sakic, D. Mercieca, E. Hussein, J.P. Mizzi, M. Mamo, M. Stojanovic, L. Camilleri, M.A. Ribeiro.

  Kercem Ajax and Nadur Youngsters obtained a point each from a draw of four goals in an interesting match which does not express the position of the two sides on the table.  Each side prevailed over the other for a half each.  Kercem were the better side during the first period, opened a two-goal lead and went very close to score a third goals.  However, this was Kercem’s second consecutive match where they lost a two goal lead and came out of the pitch with just one point from each match.  With this result Kercem remain at the bottom of the table.  On the other hand the point obtained by Nadur confirms the character of the players, who already registered similar comebacks in other matches this season.  Nadur aimed for the three points prior to this encounter in an attempt to consolidate their leadership but they suffered from the absence of defender Peter Peter Paul Buttigieg and striker Claudio Antunes missing due to suspension. They suffered pressure during the first period and only recovered after some tactical changes during the break.  Nadur ended up dominating the second period and not only recovered the two goal deficit but produced enough scoring opportunities to even obtain a victory from this encounter.

  The Ajax took command of play from the very beginning and produced pressure over their opponents.  On 7 minutes a low shot by Marcos Aurelio Ribeiro following a cross by John Paul Mizzi ended just wide.  Seven minutes later an effort by Leonard Camilleri following another cross by Mizzi was well saved by goalie Steve Sultana.  Kercem opened the score on 20 minutes.  John Paul Mizzi’s cross from the right flank arrived to an unmarked Milos Stojanovic at the second post and the latter placed out of Sultana’s reach with a low shot.  Nadur tried to produce a reaction and two minutes later Josef Buttigieg concluded badly from a good position after receiving from Fabiano Bassi.  In the 24th minute the same Buttigieg had a shot from outside the area that missed the target.  Kercem doubled the score on 27 minutes. Milos Stojanovic received a ball on the edge of the area and the Serbian striker placed in goal with a fine shot.  Nadur went close to reduce the score just after the half hour of play but Alex Simoncic’s attempt from an angled position was neutralized by goalie Courtney Mercieca.  On 36 minutes the Ajax lost a golden opportunity to increase their lead.  Marcos Aurelio Ribeiro escaped into Nadur’s territory in a fast break but he tried to conclude the personal action instead of passing to an unmarked Leonard Camilleri and goalie Steve Sultana kept his side in contention with a fine save.  One minute later Kercem’s goalie Courtney Mercieca was called to make a difficult save to turn in corner a free kick by Alex Simoncic and in the first minute of stoppage time before the break the same goalkeeper was well placed to save a header by Saviour Attard following a free kick by Fabiano Bassi.

  Nadur came out more aggressive after the restart and produced continuous pressure over their opponents.  In the 58th minute goalie Mercieca neutralized a dangerous low cross by Fabiano Bassi and one minute later a goal by substitute Kyle Russell was disallowed for an offside infringement.    

  On 62 minutes a header by Charles Mercieca from a corner action was cleared off the fatal line by skipper Frankie Camilleri.The Youngsters lost another good scoring opportunity on 67 minutes when a low shot by Charles Hili arrived to an unmarked Kyle Russell in the area but the latter incredibly had his attempt blocked by the goalkeeper.  Nadur were rewarded for their efforts in the 69th minute.  A header by Saviour Attard from a corner kick by Simoncic hit the post and from the resultant clearance Jeffrey Meilaq netted with a low shot from the edge of the area.  Nadur increased their efforts and leveled the score three minutes later when Frankie Camilleri floored Anthony Portelli in the area, the referee awarded a penalty and Fabiano Bassi converted from the spot kick.  Kercem were shocked and Nadur kept insisting to take the lead.  In the 76th minute a shot by Alex Simoncic ended just wide and five minutes later it was goalie Mercieca saved a low shot by Fabiano Bassi.  Seven minutes from time Mercieca was once again at the right place to turn in corner a low shot from outside the area by Alex Simoncic.  Nadur’s last opportunity to earn the full points at stake arrived in the 89th minute but Kyle Russell’s strike following a solo action missed the target.

Referee: Gordon Barbara

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