Noel Vassallo
Cup Preliminary Round
Victoria Hotspurs 0 Nadur Youngsters 1
18-10-2003 Sannat
Ground
match
report by Charlie Grech
Holders
Nadur Youngsters went through to the semifinals of the Noel Vassallo
Cup at the expense of Victoria Hotspurs, thanks to a golden goal
scored on the 7th minute of extra time.
It was a match that raised many questions on the Youngsters
side, which was way out of form. Hotspurs
had more of the ball but lacked the finishing touches, and even when
they connected they found Nadur goalie in fine form.
The Youngsters had an M. Marlow shot that finished just wide.
Hotspurs thought they have scored on the 11th minute but the
offside flag was up when they put the ball in the net.
The reds goalie did well to save a direct freekick by M.
Bonello. On the 39th minute
K. Abela should have taken the chance, when with Vella beaten he
shot wide of the whites' post. Zero-zero
the score at half time and nothing really to cheer the poor
attendance at Sannat Ground. It took 23 minutes of the second half
to see the first action on goal. Again it was K. Abela who escaped the offside trap and from a very
good position saw Vella making a great save.
Seconds later it was Vella again to save Nadur as he tipped
to a corner a freekick by Egere. Nadur
started getting into the game in the last 15 minutes and a Marlow
shot was saved for a corner. With
Hotspurs now defending in full strength, Nadur were slow in their
attacking. The game ended
with three consecutive corners for Nadur.
Extra time was needed and Nadur opened on the attack with M.
Marlow wasting a good opportunity when he shot wide.
But on the 7th minute M. Portelli took a ball just outside
the Hotspurs area, passed it to J. Portelli, who touched it
perfectly into the patch the onrushing Joseph Portelli Cauchi took
his time to put the ball in the net from a very tight angle.
Not the best of matches but it was enough to see the
Youngsters in the semi final of the Noel Vassallo Cup where they now
face Kercem Ajax scheduled for the 25th October.
Kercem Ajax beat Ghajnsielem 4-1 in the earlier match at
Sannat Ground.
Referee:
Reno Refalo.
The
Nadur Youngsters' squad: Kevin Vella; Paul Camilleri; Mark Buttigieg;
Charles Hili; Brian Portelli; Mario Bonello; Jason Grech; Mark
Marlow; Joseph Portelli; Anthony Portelli (Mario Portelli); Joseph
Portelli Cauchi.
