ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

CHRIS CAMILLERI LEADS NADUR TO A CONVINCING WIN

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

   Nadur Youngsters obtained a convincing victory over Ghanjsielem in the first match from the fourteenth day of the championship. It was a deserved victory for the reigning champions. They dominated over their opponents for long stretches even when they had a player less on the field. Nadur’s protagonist was Chris Camilleri who scored a brace that arrived in crucial moments of the match.

    Ghajnsielem created a early scoring opportunity in the 2^nd minute when a header by John Camilleri from a corner action was well saved by goalie Jonathan Xuereb. Nadur replied one minute later with a shot by Josef Buttigieg following a fast break by Anthony Portelli that missed the target. In the 13^th minute a shot-cross by Eric Nkwankwo ended just over the crossbar. Nadur continued to be more dangerous than their opponents as time passed by and in he 20^th minute a long ranged shot by Chris Camilleri ended wide. Two minutes later Anthony Portelli defended a ball in Ghajnsielem’s area, dribbled a defender but his shot addressed to an open goal was deflected in corner by the defence. The Blacks replied in the 24^th minute with an angled shot by John Camilleri that was saved with difficulty in two attempts by goalie Jonathan Xuereb.

    Nadur went again close to scoring on the half hour when Alex Simoncic unmarked Josef Buttigieg but the latter saw his low shot ending just wide. In the 33^rd minute Eric Nkwankwo hit badly from a good position following a fast break by Anthony Portelli. In the 37^th minute Ghajnsielem’s Martin Cremona risked an own goal when he headed a long ranged shot by Dejan Odovic and the ball ended in corner. Nadur opened the score from the resultant corner. Josef Buttigieg received a short corner, unmarked Chris Camilleri just outside the area and the latter placed in goal with a low shot. The Blacks continued to suffer pressure and in the 41^st minute Nadur were unlucky when Joseph Portelli’s strike following a pass by Chris Camilleri hit the post.

   Ghajnsielem failed to produce a reaction after the break and Nadur continued to dictate matters. They also doubled the score in the 49^th minute when Eric Nkwankwo escaped Ghajnsielem’s defence, entered the area, dribbled the goalkeeper and placed easily into an empty goal. In the 62^nd minute the Blacks could have reduced the score wut an effort by John Camilleri from a corner action hit the crossbar.

   Nadur ended with a player less on the field in the 66^th minute when central defender Marcos Secco was sent off for a second caution. From the resultant free kick a header by Dominic Okanu ended just high. Nadur were not demoralised and in the 72^nd minute they increased the score.

    It was Chris Camilleri won a ball in the midfield and passed through Ghajnsielem’s rearguard before concluding past goalie Agius with a low shot. Ghajnsielem scored their consolation goal in the 79^th minute from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Peter Buttigieg on John Camilleri, and converted by Dominic Okanu. Ghajnielem could have re-opened the issue five minutes from time but Martin Cremona’s shot from an ideal position ended over the crossbar.

Referee:  George Portelli

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY