Match Report

Nadur Youngsters 4 - Victoria Hotspurs 2
League Division 1
15-02-2004
Gozo Stadium  

report by Charlie Grech

Nadur Youngsters obtained a double on Victoria Hotspurs when they finished the game worthy winners by four goals to two. Both teams were in dire need of points for completely different reasons. Second place Nadur were trying to keep up the pace to challenge for the title and last-placed Hotspurs were trying to escape relegation.

The game was a nice one to watch with three penalties awarded by the referee and maybe one of the nicest goals this season, scored by C. Camilleri for Nadur. The game was a balanced affair till the 40th minute. After only 2 minutes J. Falzon in the Youngsters goal was called to make a superb save when he deflected the shot of Borg. On the 13th minute Simoncic gave a perfect cross to A. Portelli who missed his shot. From this same action, Hotspurs went on a counter break and defender K. Buttigieg floored Bongailas in the area, and the referee had no hesitation to award the penalty to Hotspurs. Victor Egere made no mistake to open the score for the reds. Nadur were a bit shocked but continued to play the better football and were attacking in force though missing some good chances. Simoncic saw his header going just wide from a Camilleri cross. Marlow’s free kick went just wide and the same player should have done better when he took a rebound from a Simoncic cross and incredibly shot high with an open goal at his mercy. On the 40th minute A. Portelli entered the penalty area and was floored by two defenders. Mark Marlow made no mistake putting the resultant penalty kick on the left of Vella. Nadur went on the attack instantly looking for the second goal, something they found only a minute and a half later when Buttigieg carelessly handled the ball in the Hotspurs area, giving the referee no other option but to point for the spot kick again. Once more, Mark Marlow scored, this time on the right of the Spurs keeper. There was more drama in store as on the 47th minute (1st half injury time) a perfect cross from the left by C. Camilleri found Mark Buttigieg whose lovely header gave Vella no chance. Incredible comeback. From 1-0 down to 3-1 in just 7 minutes.

The second half was a bit quieter as Nadur calmed the game. They were still on the offensive. A. Portelli still cannot find his goal-scoring form. He could have got at least a couple of goals but he just can’t get anything right at the moment. The score became 4-1 on the 73rd minute when Chris Camilleri took the ball way out of the penalty area, controlled it well and with a tremendous shot scored what is likely to be one of the main contenders for the goal of the season. Soon after, Simoncic’s shot was well saved by Vella. On the 79th minute Jesmond Scerri made the final score more respectable for Hotspurs 4-2. 

This was an important win for the Youngsters, who also gave the debut to another two players coming out of their nursery, Derek Meilak and Patrick Falzon. My choice of player of the match goes to Mark Marlow. Nadur are now 3 points behind Zebbug but have played a game more then the Rovers. Nadur’s next match against Sannat Lions is scheduled for Carnival Sunday, what a pity!

Referee:  Anton Zammit

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