ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

THE LIONS HELD THE LEADERS WHO DROPPED FIRST POINTS IN THE CAMPAIGN

     Nadur Youngsters were held to a draw by Sannat Lions in an exciting match that could have ended wither way. In this encounter, the reigning champions had an extremely difficult match. They had to recover a two-goal deficit and had a player sent off late in the first half. However, Nadur showed great character and managed to defend their unbeaten record, although they dropped the first points in the campaign. Nadur’s difficulties were mainly a result of Sannat’s positive performance.

    The Lions produced a good match and were determined not to end the match empty handed. The Lions probably expected something better considering that they had a good lead and an extra player on the field, but they should be given credit for saving the result in the dying moments of the match.

    The Lions surprised Nadur during the early stages, especially through fast breaks by Fernando de Andrade. Sannat’s striker took only four minutes to penetrate Nadur’s rearguard, and in this occasion the Brazilian striker was floored in the area by Jeffrey Meilaq. The referee awarded a penalty and Fernando de Andrade opened the score with his shot from the spot kick.

    Nadur recovered from the initial difficulty and replied in the 10^th minute through a free kick by Chris Camilleri that ended just wide. Six minutes later a header by Eric Nkwankwo from a corner kick by Chris Camilleri was deflected on the crossbar by goalie Demis Bajada and from the rebound Marcos Secco headed wide. In the following minutes the same goalkeeper was called to make two good saves to deny Nadur from scoring following deflections by the defense from crosses by Joseph Portelli and Eric Nkwankwo.

    Sannat doubled the score in the 30^th minute when Errol Grima unmarked Kenneth Mercieca from a fast break and the latter lobbed in goal over goalie Jonathan Xuereb. The Youngsters reduced the arrears one minute later. Sannat’s rearguard failed to clear a corner kick by Chris Camilleri and Josef Buttigieg took the lose ball and netted from an angled position.

   Nadur suffered a setback in their attempt to level the score as they ended with a player less on the field in the 40^th minute. Marcos Secco was sent off for a dangerous foul on Mark Muscat. One minute later Sannat could have regained a two-goal lead. Mark Muscat was unmarked in the area by de Andrade but his shot was partially blocked by goalie Jonathan Mercieca. Peter Paul Buttigieg recovered his position and cleared danger from the goalmouth to deny Kenneth Mercieca from guiding the ball into an empty goal.

    The Youngsters were not demoralised and for the second period they came out more aggressive and produced pressure on their opponents. In the 50^th minute Eric Nkwankwo’s header ended just over the crossbar and three minutes an attempt by Chris Camilleri from a pass by Joseph Portelli ended wide. The same Camilleri had an attempt following a free kick by Alex Simoncic that just missed the target in the 63^rd minute. Later it was Joseph Portelli who concluded wide from a good position an inviting pass by Charles Hili.

   Nadur leveled the score in the 67^th minute. Eric Nkwankwo won a ball just outside the area, unmarked Joseph Portelli who placed in goal with a fine strike. In the 70^th minute Sannat’s goalie Demis Bajada denied Nkwankwo from scoring with a good save following a close ranged attempt. Sannat replied with a low shot by de Andrade from a cross by Paul Spiteri that ended wide.

    Nadur kept insisting and were dangerous through Joseph Portelli, Chris Camilleri and Eric Nkwankwo. Nadur turned the result in their favour in the 83^rd minute through a close ranged header by Jeffrey Melaq following a free kick by Alex Simoncic that was deflected by the defense. However, the Lions had an immediate reaction and saved the result in the 85^th minute through Kenneth Mercieca, who took the rebound from the crossbar following a shot by Mark Muscat and headed into an empty goal.

Referee :        Kevin Azzopardi

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY