ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

NADUR END THE SECOND ROUND WITH A FOUR-POINT LEAD

J Xuereb, P Buttigieg, J Meilaq, J Buttigieg, A Simoncic, C Camilleri (S Attard), C Hili, M Secco, E Nkwankwo (M Filip), A Portelli (S Attard), J Portelli

V Agius, D Agius (C Tabone), M Cremona, R Apap, J Buttigieg, B Meilak, V Tavares, J Camilleri, D Okanu, S Azzopardi, FL Galea (F Apap)

   Nadur Youngsters obtained three precious points from a victory over rivals Ghajnsielem and ended the second round with a comfortable four-point lead over runners-up Victoria Hotspurs. This was Ghajnsielem’s last opportunity to join the race for the title but they needed the full points at stake. At the end Nadur were in a better condition, produced more play and therefore deserved the victory.

   Nadur had an excellent start. They opened the score in the 5^th minute through a strike from outside the area by Chris Camilleri following a corner action that surprised goalie Victor Agius.

    The Blacks were shocked and in the following minutes the Youngsters continued to dictate matters. However, in the 14^th minute Ghajnsielem’s Brian Meilak had a long ranged shot that was turned in corner with difficulty by goalie Jonathan Xuereb. Three minutes later Nadur’s Anthony Portelli had an angled shot that ended on the side of the net and the Blacks replied with an effort by Victor Tavares that missed the target. In the 35^th minute Nadur doubled the score. Chris Camilleri entered the area after a wall pass with Joseph Portelli and from his cross Eric Nkwankwo guided the ball into an open goal. The Blacks had an immediate reaction.

    In the 38^th minute goalie Xuereb saved in corner an attempt by Dominic Okanu. One minute later the Ghajnsielem re-opened the issue when Brian Meilak placed an inviting pass from the left and Dominic Okanu had an easy tap-in to beat goalie Xuereb. One minute from half time Nadur’s goalie was called to make a good save following a long ranged shot by Brian Meilak.

    Nadur gained some territorial supremacy after the resumption but they found some difficulties to create danger to Ghajnsielem’s goalie Victor Agius.

     In the 55^th minute Ghajsielem went close to level the score when a direct free kick by Brian Meilak ended inches wide. Ghajsnielem were again dangerous in the 68^th minute when a shot by Victor Tavares following a pass by John Camilleri was blocked by the defense. The same Tavares had a lob minutes later following a short clearance by the defense that missed the target.

    In the 77^th minute an attempt by Nadur’s Joseph Portelli ended on the side of the net and five minutes later Ghajnsielem’s Okanu had a goal disallowed for an offside infringement.

Referee :        Paul Apap

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