Nadur Youngsters FC

*Data*	*Time*	*Opponents*	*Venue*
Sat 3^rd Nov 01	3.00pm	Oratory Yths	Sannat Grd
Sun 11^th Nov 01	1.00pm	Vict. Hotspurs	Sannat Grd
Sun 18^th Nov 01	1.00pm	Zebbug Rovers	Sannat Grd
Sun 16^th Dec 01	12.30pm	Sannat Lions	Gozo Stadium
Sun 23^th Dec 01	12.30pm	Xewkija Tigers	Gozo Stadium
Sun 30^th Dec 01	2.30pm	GHajnsielem	Gozo Stadium
Sun 20^th Jan 02	2.30pm	Oratory Yths	Gozo Stadium
Sat 23^th Feb 02	3.00pm	Vict. Hotspurs	Gozo Stadium
Sun 10^th Mar 02	1.30pm	Zebbug Rovers	Gozo Stadium
Sun 14^th Apr 02	4.30pm	Sannat Lions	Gozo Stadium
Wed 1^st May 02	4.30pm	Xewkija Tigers	Gozo Stadium
Sun 5^th May 02	4.30pm	GHajnsielem	Gozo Stadium

Wed 15^th May 02	5.00pm	1 vs 2	Gozo Stadium
Thur 16^th May 02	5.00pm	3 vs 4	Gozo Stadium
Wed 19^th May 02	5.00pm	Finali	Gozo Stadium

Nadur Youngsters win the first honour of the season – Independence Cup

Nadur Youngsters returned to the road of success after a draught of almost three years. This season opened on a positive note, new faces in the committee added new life to the club. During the pre-season period, Nadur Youngsters’s committee worked hard to bring around the best players on the market.

New signings for the season were, coach John Cassar and assistant coach Joseph Camilleri. The new management also welcomed the return of ex-Nadur Youngsters players which are; Saviour Farrugia from SK Victoria Wanderers, Mario Bonello free transfer from Zebbug Rovers, Derek Elliot who returned from Scotland and Kim Wright from Floriana F.C, New players that joined Nadur for the first time are; Mark Buttigieg and Joseph Bajada from Xaghra United and Jude Madu from Naxxar Lions.

With these players and our local talent, Nadur are one of the favorite teams to win the championship. The 2001/2 season started brilliantly as Nadur Youngsters won the Independence Cup. This was held between the top four teams classified in the league last year. Nadur we drawn against Ghajnsielem while Xewkija T. faced Zebbug.

Nadur fielded this formation in the first competitive match of the season : Kevin Vella, Paul Camilleri, Sam Anthony Cauchi, Brian Portelli, Mario Bonello, Joseph Portelli (Joseph Bajada), Mark Buttigieg (Jason Grech), Saviour Farrugia, Jude Madu, Derek Elliot, and Anthony Portelli.

The match was rather a balanced one, with allot of the play being held at midfield. Nadur were the most dangerous team through out the match and overall were a bit better than their eternal rivals. Nadur went close to open the score in the 8th minute when Anthony Portelli `s drive went inches wide. Ghajnsielem `s reply came in the 21^st minute when Jeremy Portelli hit the crossbar from an ideal positon. In the 24^th minute Nadur opened the score, Paul Camilleri`s cross was not cleared in time by the Ghajnsielem defence and Derek Elliot puffed the net from a close range.

In the second half Nadur had chances by Saviour Farrugia cleared off the line and Anthony Portelli`s shot was blocked by goalie Sammy Attard. In the 82^nd minute Nadur made it 2-0, when Joeseph Bajada scored a direct corner kick among the amazement of the present crowd. In the dying stages of the match Kevin Vella showed optimal reflexes between the posts to maintain his first clean sheet.

In the other match Zebbug had the best over Xewkija Tigers after a penaly shoot-out, so now Nadur meet Zebbug Rovers in the final.

The Final was played on Independence Day as custom, and in front of a good crowd Nadur Youngsters had to wait until a penalty shoot-outs. It was an extremely harsh game where Zebbug had two players sent off late in the game, besides the numerous cautions given by the excellent referee. Nadur fielded this formaion; Kevin Vella, Paul Camilleri (Joseph Bajada), Sam Anhony Cauchi, Brian Portelli, Mario Bonello, Kim Wright, Saviour Farrugia, Mark Buttigieg, Anthony Portelli, Jude Madu and Derek Elliot.

Nadur started on a very high note, in the 3^rd minute a Mario Bonello direct free kick stamped the crossbar. Zebbug replied with dangerous counter attacks, and in the 14^th minute Brian Portelli cleared the ball off the line after that Sylvan Galea rounded goalie Vella. In the 26^th minute Nadur opened the score, Mario Bonello found the unmarked Anthony Portelli in the Rovers`s box, and the latter provided a sitter for Derek Elliot who posted in an open net. Zebbug not at all demoralized made an instant reaction, Sam Anthony Cauchi tripped Sylvan Galea in the box and from the penalty spot, Andy Eninzata made no mistake to level the score.

In the 40^th minute Nadur regained the lead. Derek Elliot gained the touchline and beautifully served captain Saviour Farrugia who finalized with a fine header. Just after one minute into the second half Zebbug leveled the score again. This time with a splendid strike by Tarik Belhay from outside the box. In the 65^th minute Zebbug had their first player sent off and Nadur now managed all the ground.

Jude Madu had a very quiet game, and could of could of concluded better numerous goal situations. But Nadur`s best chance to win the game came in the 72^nd minute when Alex Tramboo, tripped Anthony Portelli in the box. But from the penalty spot Derek Elliot shoot poorly and the Zebbug goalie intercepted easily. In the extra time Nadur had a Saviour Farrugia shot saved on the line and Jude Madu`s ferocious shot ended wide from an ideal position. In the last minutes of the extra time Zebbug had their second player sent of for two bookings as well. The penalty shoot-out determined the winners of this first honor of the season. Nadur made no mistake and scored all five penalties by : Kim Wright, Anthony Portelli, Jude Madu, Saviour Farrugia and Joseph Bajada, while Zebbug missed through Sylan Galea who shot wide to make the final score Nadur Youngsters 7 – Zebbug Rovers 5.