League
Div. 1
02-11-2003
Kercem Ajax 2 - Nadur Youngsters 1
Sannat Ground
report
written by Charlie Grech
In
their first outing for the defense of the title, Champions Nadur
Youngsters were defeated by Kercem Ajax by 2 goals to 1.
This was the forth meeting between these two sides already
this season. The game was
played in strong westerly wind. For the first time this season the
officials were Maltese and must be given full credit for their
performances. Nadur, without
the suspended P. Camilleri and the injured J. Portelli, started the
game facing the wind and opened up with more aggression. They were
attacking in force but were being caught at the back.
Kercem were dangerous on the counter attack and after
Draganov saw his shot wide, in the 21st minute, the same Dragomir
Draganov put his side 1-0 up with a fine header from a Grech long
pass. Nadur had two
fine efforts by debutant J. Meilak, who had a good game and looks a
very promising youngster. With
no real danger from the Youngsters reaction, Kercem went 2-0 on the
37th minute. M. Bonello
saw the ball passing over his head and there was Dragomir Draganov
to lob the ball over Vella. Bonello
then saw his direct freekick deviated for a corner, and J. Meilak
shot had the same outcome.
The
second half saw Nadur, now with the wind behind their backs, coming
out looking to reduce the score. From
a Marlow freekick, M. Buttigieg saw his header well saved by Attard.
But in the 57th minute the same Mark Buttigieg reduced the
score with a fine header from another freekick by Marlow.
Twelve minutes later Mark Buttigieg was shown the red card
for retaliation and from that moment it was an uphill struggle for
the whites. Another
Marlow freekick hit the top corner on the posts and Attard was
called to make a difficult save from J. Meilak.
A. Portelli did not take a late substitution pleasantly, and
on his way out throws his jersey to the ground. A very deplorable
act indeed. Nadur have
to improve from this performance if they are to defend the title
successfully.
Referee:
Alan Mario Sant
Nadur Youngsters formation: Kevin Vella; Jeffrey Meilak; Mark Buttigieg; Charles Hili; Brian Portelli; Mario Bonello; Jason Grech; Mark Marlow; Mario Portelli; Anthony Portelli; Aaron Camilleri; Joseph Portelli Cauchi.
