Match Report

League Div. 1
08-02-2004
Nadur Youngsters 1 - Kercem Ajax 0
Gozo Stadium

match report by Charlie Grech 

Nadur Youngsters started the second round of their defense of the title with a win over Kercem Ajax, one of the two teams that beat them in the first round. A Mark Marlow superb free kick decided the game. Nadur had three first-team players missing: K. Vella, P. Camilleri and the injured J. Portelli Cauchi. The second Nadur foreigner, A. Ihbeulu, was replaced by Alexander Simoncic. He had an acceptable debut for the whites. 

Early in the first half it was a Simoncic cross that saw Marlow deflecting the ball into the patch of C. Camilleri whose shot finished well over the bar. A C. Hili cross shot was missed by A. Portelli and the same player saw his shot deflected for a corner. Kercem’s goalie Attard was tested from a freekick by Simoncic.  It wasn't the best day for Kercem’s Draganov. First he saw his tremendous shot hit the post and pass across to the other side of the posts without anyone able to connect. Later he beat the offside trap and went on a solo run, but failed to make a proper connection with Falzon making a very easy save. Belhaj found Draganov who anticipated Falzon but his shot ended over the bar. It was not his day. Somoncic’s pass found A. Portelli but his shot went wide.  On the 44th minute Nadur were awarded a free kick outside the area. Mark Marlow’s swinging shot found the top right corner, giving Attard no chance at all. 1-0 for the Youngsters at half time.  

The second half saw Kercem more in the game but their efforts were easily handled by Nadur who could have increased the lead on a couple of occasions.  C. Camilleri fine effort ended just wide. A. Portelli went the same way from another free kick by Simoncic. The same two players combined well in another action only for Attard to save well. Nadur remain 6 points behind Zebbug Rovers, who kept marching on towards their first title with a hard fought win over Victoria Hotspurs (3-2). There was not much for the supporters to cheer as the main protagonist was the referee with his whistle going on too much. Play was stopped far too much, and in this way Gozitan football level will keep deteriorating.

Referee: Reno Refalo

Nadur Youngsters formation: Justin Falzon; Jeffrey Meilak; Mark Buttigieg; Brian Portelli; Alexander Simoncic; Mario Bonello; Mark Marlow; Charles Hili; Anthony Portelli; Chris Camilleri; Kevin Buttigieg.