ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

NADUR YOUNGSTERS CROWNED CHAMPIONS

J Xuereb, J Meilak, P Buttigieg, C Camilleri, A Simoncic, D Odovic (S Attard), M Secco, J Buttigieg, E Nkwankwo (S Muscat), A Portelli, J Portelli.

M Grima, JP Grima, M Vella, A Briffa, D Farrugia, N Borg, J Portelli, M Buttigieg (J Mizzi), A Zammit, R Grech, R Saverino.

Nadur Youngsters celebrated the victory of the tenth title in their history with a close win over rivals Victoria Hotspurs.  The Youngsters were already mathematically champions before this last match of the championship.  They decorated the stadium with banners, while the supporters packed their side of the terraces.  The atmosphere at the Gozo Stadium was transformed on the pitch as the match was well contested as if it was a cup-tie.  At times, especially during the first period, some players seemed nervous and it made it difficult for the referee to calm down waters.  The Hotspurs, who were without striker Fabiano Bassi due to suspension, suffered most of the situation as they had a player sent off and player more than an hour with a player less on the field.

Although the match did not have any effect on the final standings both Nadur and Victoria had different motivations to end the championship with a victory so that the two sides were very cautious at the defense.  Play was quite balanced in the early stages where the two sides tried to create danger through long passes towards the respective strikers.  Nadur gain some territorial supremacy as time passed by.  They produced their first serious dangerous action in the 16^th minute through a low shot by Anthony Portelli after receiving from Chris Camilleri, which was well saved by goalie Mark Grima.  In the 20^th minute Nadur’s Joseph Portelli and Eric Nkwankwo both failed to connect to an inviting pass from a free kick by Alex Simoncic.

Victoria ended with a player less on the field of play in the 27^th minute when Jason Portelli was sent off for a second caution.  Two minutes later the Hotspurs were dangerous with a free kick by Ricardo Saverino that was blocked with difficulty by goalie Jonathan Xuereb.  Nadur replied one minute later with an attempt from an angled position by Anthony Portelli that missed the target.  In the 35^th minute Victoria’s goalie Mark Grima blocked a free kick by Alex Simoncic and from the resultant action Dejan Odovic’s shot from outside the area was deflected in corner.  Minutes later a free kick by Ricardo Saverino ended just high.  Victoria goalie Mark Grima was ponce again called to make a difficult save in the 43^rd minute following a shot by Joseph Portelli at the end of a fast break.  Nadur opened the score seconds from half time.  Anthony Portelli defended a ball in the area, dribbled the goalkeeper twice in an angled position and from his cross Joseph Portelli headed into an open goal from close distance.

On the resumption Victoria went close to level the score with a free kick by Daniel Farrugia that ended inches wide.  Nadur replied with an attempt by Eric Nkwankwo from an angled position that ended wide.  Five minutes later the same Nkwankwo was released in the area by Joseph Portelli but his shot ended over the crossbar.  The champions lost another good scoring opportunity in the 61^st minute when Anthony Portelli concluded badly from an ideal position following a mishap at Victoria’s rearguard.  Nadur kept insisting and minutes later they were dangerous with attempts on separate occasions by Nkwankwo and Odovic.  In the 71^st minute goalie Mark Grima partially saved a free kick by Alex Simoncic and from the rebound the same goalkeeper saved a close ranged header by Nkwankwo.  Victoria’s goalie kept his side in contention with a difficult save in the 77^th minute when he managed to recover his position and clear a long ranged lob by Anthony Portelli.  One minute later an angled shot by the same Portelli ended wide while goalie Mark Grima saved in two attempts a free kick by Chris Camilleri in the 83^rd minute.  Victoria could have obtained a dramatic equaliser in the 88^th minute but a free kick by Ricardo Saverino hit the crossbar.

After the final whistle Nadur were presented with the medals and trophy by    GFA president Mr Joe Cordina, in the presence of other GFA officials, and among celebrations of the colourful Nadur supporters.

Referee: Joe Attard

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY