ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

KERCEM AJAX STUN NADUR WITH THEIR FIRST VICTORY

    Kercem Ajax registered the biggest surprise so far in the campaign and obtained a close victory over the leaders and favourites to win the title Nadur Youngsters. It was a deserved victory for the Ajax. They showed great determination and were not impressed by their more quoted opponents.

   The Ajax had an excellent performance at all the departments, where the defence and the midfield frustrated Nadur’s effort to reverse their trend which has extended to three matches.

    In fact this was Nadur’s second consecutive defeat in the championship. Kercem had two debutant strikers, Brazilain Franklin Adelson and British Dan Leah Fowler, who left a good impression; the former also scoring the decisive goal of the match.

     As expected Nadur tried to take command of play but Kercem seemed in good form and managed to keep danger away from their area. As time passed by the Ajax started to share play with their opponents and also created the best scoring opportunity of the first half when a low shot by John Paul Mizzi almost surprised goalie Jonathan Xuereb. Nadur’s best scoring opportunity arrived in the 34^th minute through a cross-shot by Joseph Portelli that was neutralised by goalie Courtny Mercieca.

       Kercem continued to threat their opponents after the break and in the 49^th minute Jean Paul Mizzi had an effort from an angled position that was saved by goalie Jonathan Xuereb. The Youngsters replied one minute later with a move by Alex Simoncic, who entered from the left flank but strikers Eric Nkwankwo and Joseph Portelli failed to connect.

     In the 52^nd minute Kercem’s goalie Mercieca saved in corner with difficulty a free kick by Alex Simoncic. Two minutes later Nadur were unlucky when an attempt by Joseph Portelli hit the crossbar and from the rebound Chris Camilleri’s shot was saved by the goalkeeper. The Ajax opened the score in the 60^th minute.

     Ejofor Nkwocha entered the area from the right flank following a fast break and from his low pass debutant Franklin Adelson placed in goal from close distance. Nadur were shocked and two minutes later Dan Leah Fowler had a good effort saved with difficulty by goalie Jonathan Xuereb.

     The Youngsters replied with a long ranged shot by Dejan Odovic that just missed the target, while Kercem’s Jean Paul Mizzi lost a good opportunity to double the score in the 69^th minute when he concluded over the crossbar from a good position.

     Four minutes later Kercem’s goalie was called to make a difficult save following a low shot by Chris Camilleri from a pass by Anthony Portelli. Until the final whistle Kercem continued to defend their minimum lead as Nadur failed to produce dangerous attempts to save the match.

Referee:   George Portelli

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY

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