ONVOL 1ST DIVISION LEAGUE

NADUR YOUNGSTERS FOUR POINTS FROM RETAINING TITLE

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

D Gauci, P Attard, L Blanco de Castro, J Attard (S Galea), VJ Saliba, L Buttigieg (JW Xerri), J Mercieca, SF Bajada (A Mutalib), S Sultana, M Buhagiar, P Ohaka.

   Nadur moved closer to making sure of winning the title before the last match of the campaign with three points obtained from a victory over Xaghra United.  Nadur now need four points from the remaining three matches to be mathematically confirmed as champions for the third consecutive year and the tenth time in their history. 

   This was a typical match between two sides at the two ends of the table. Nadur, as expected, were superior to their opponents.  They took an early two-goal lead that demoralised the Blues for the rest of the match.  Nadur had central defender Marcos Secco and Josef Buttigieg missing due to suspension, while Xaghra had to make away without the service of Alex Tramboo for the same reason.  The match was also played in very difficult conditions due to strong wind and heavy rain.

   The Youngsters took advantage of the wind blowing from behind during the first period. They produced some pressure over their opponents from the very beginning and created danger mainly from set-pieces. They also managed to score three of the four goals scored during the first half from corner kicks by Alex Simoncic.

   In the early stages an lob by Charles Hili ended just over the crossbar and in the 11^th minute a goal by Joseph Portelli from a corner action was disallowed by the referee following the intervention of the assistant referee for an alleged hands by the same Portelli. However, Nadur opened the score one minute later. It was Anthony Portelli who crossed from the right and Eric Nkwankwo was well placed to put easily in goal from close distance.

   Xaghra were shocked and the Youngsters doubled the score in the 16^th minute through a a direct corner kick by Alex Simoncic. Nadur reduced their pressure for some minutes but Xaghra failed to produce a reaction In the 32^nd minute an effort by Anthony Portelli from a short clearance by the defence ended just over the crossbar. One minute later Xaghra’s goalie Donald Gauci saved in corner a shot by Chris Camilleri. However, from the resultant corner the same goalkeeper committed an own goal in his attempt to clear Alex Simoncic’s corner kick and Nadur increased their lead. The score became 4-0 in the 38^th minute. Once again the danger started from a long ranged shot by Chris Camilleri that was turned in corner with difficulty by goalie Gauci. From the resultant corner Eric Nkwankwo registered his personal brace by heading in goal from close distance. Chris Camilleri was denied from scoring in the 42^nd minute when his long ranged shot was spectacularly saved in corner by Gauci and on this occasion Simoncic’s corner kick was cleared with some difficulty.

   Xaghra were unlucky in the first action of the second period. Leandro Blanco de Castro addressed to goal after only five seconds of play but goalie Jonathan Xuereb managed to turn in corner with the aid of the crossbar. From the resultant corner Joseph Mecieca’s kick hit the crossbar. However, Xaghra’s intentions were soon controlled by Nadur’s rearguard and the Youngsters regained territorial supremacy. In the 52^nd minute Nadur went close to increase the score through an angled shot by Joseph Portelli that was well saved by goalie Donald Gauci. The Youngsters continued to control play and operate dangerous fast breaks. In the 71^st minute an effort by Joseph Portelli following a pass by Alex Simoncic ended just over the crossbar. Two minutes later Xaghra’s goalie saved two consecutive attempts by Charles Hili and Eric Nkwankwo. Nadur increased their lead in the 81^st minute. Goalie Gauci partially saved a low shot by Anthony Portelli from an angled position and from the rebound Eric Nkankwo’s shot was weak and Jeffrey Meilaq guided the ball into an open goal.  In the dying moments Xaghra managed to make the score more respectable by scoring two goals. In the 87^th minute substitute Silvan Galea was released in a fast break and placed in goal with a low shot from the edge of the area. Xaghra scored their second goal in the 90^th minute through Joseph Mercieca who surprised goalie Xuereb directly from the corner kick. Referee: Alan Mario Sant

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY