Nadur Youngsters 2 - Sannat Lions 1
League Div. 1
29-11-2003
Gozo Stadium
match
report by Charlie Grech
On their first match on the superb green pitch of the Gozo
Stadium, Nadur Youngsters defeated Sannat Lions by 2 goals to 1. It was a nice match
by two sides eagerly
looking for the three points.
Nadur
had their second foreigner in their ranks, the ex Ghajnsielem player
Aloysius Ihbuelu, who had a
great game on his debut, also scoring the winning goal. The first half opened with A. Portelli making a solo run and
his perfect pass saw J. Portelli C. shooting only centimeters wide.
Midway through this half, Sannat missed a golden opportunity
when, with the Nadur defense stopping for an offside D. Lautier shot
very high with only Vella to beat. An action between Hili, Ihbuelu, and Marlow ended with the
latter hitting just wide. Both
defenses were getting the better of the attackers until the 44th
minute, when after a corner action by Marlow the ball was passed
from Ihbuelu to the center of the six yard box where Anthony
Portelli was prompt to put his header in the top center of the
post. 1-0 for Nadur ended the first half.
In the second period
Marlow passed to Ihbuelu who shot wide from a good position. Nadur
missed a chance when both Ihbuelu and J. Portelli should have done
better than shooting wide. Sannat
were making their presence felt as time was passing and their
confused play saw them getting the equalizer on the 75th
minute. A through pass to the center of the Nadur area and Dione
Lautier beat Vella to make the score 1-1. The joy of the Sannat clan was short
lived as Nadur regained
the lead only a minute later. Marlow’s
header was saved by Muscat without holding the ball and there was Aloysius
Ihbuelu who scored without difficulty. Sannat attacked
relentlessly and Nadur could have
sealed the victory but Portelli and Buttigieg shot wide.
Nadur lead
the table with Zebbug Rovers with 6 points but the latter have a
game in hand.
Referee: Reno Refalo
Nadur Youngsters formation: Kevin Vella; Paul
Camilleri (Kevin Buttigieg); Mark Buttigieg; Charles Hili (Jeffrey
Meilak); Brian Portelli; Mario Bonello; Jason Grech; Mark Marlow; Aloysius
Ihbuelu; Anthony Portelli (Joseph Portelli); Joseph Portelli
Cauchi.
