Match Report

League Division 1
28-12-2003
Ghajnsielem 0 - Nadur Youngsters 2
Gozo Stadium

match report by Charlie Grech

Nadur Youngsters registered another victory on eternal rivals Ghajnsielem FC who were still unbeaten in the league this season.  It was a nice game to watch even though the action on goal was rare and mostly came from the Nadur side. Nadur had Chris Camilleri in their line-up after they secured his transfer from Xaghra United. Early on Ghajnsielem had a header from Meilak which finished well over the bar. Nadur had an effort by J. Portelli cleared off the line by Scicluna. Mercieca was called into action when he saved a shot by M. Buttigieg after a corner action by Marlow. Soon after another Marlow perfect pass found A. Portelli - whose header was saved by Mercieca for a corner. J. Portelli escaped the tight defense of Ghajnsielem and shot on goal only to see Mercieca making a tremendous save for a corner. The first half ended without goals.

The second half saw the Youngsters in a more aggressive form. In the 50th minute Nadur won a free kick about 25 metres from goal.  Mark Marlow sent his perfect shot into the bottom corner of the net to open the score for Nadur.  A well deserved lead.  

Nadur continued to be more adventurous and in the 58th minute Ihebeulu was fouled in the area and the referee had no hesitation but to award a penalty for the whites. A. Portelli saw his shot saved well by Mercieca.  

The same Anthony Portelli made the score 2-0 on the 60th minute when he put the ball behind Mercieca after an Ihebeulu action. Marlow saw another of his tries saved by Mercieca. These two players deserved to be men of the match.  In the closing minute Ihebeulu could have made it 3-0 but his shot was saved by the post. Nadur now share top place in the League with Zebbug though the Rovers have a game at hand. 

Referee: Paul Caruana

The Nadur Youngsters formation: Kevin Vella; Paul Camilleri; Mark Buttigieg; Charles Hili (Kevin Buttigieg); Brian Portelli; Mario Bonello; Mark Marlow; Aloysius Ihebeulu; Anthony Portelli; Chris Camilleri; Joseph Portelli Cauchi.