Noel
Vassallo Cup S/F
25-10-2003
Nadur Youngsters 1 - Kercem Ajax 1 (4 - 3 penalties)
Sannat Ground
match
report by Charlie Grech
Nadur
Youngsters booked another final against Zebbug Rovers in the Noel
Vassallo Cup. This will be a
repetition of last year’s final. In today’s match the Youngsters
had more ball possession but didn’t manage to get advantage of it.
They were more direct and had the better chances.
As early as the 3rd minute Attard in the Kercem goal was
called into action when he made a fine save on A. Portelli.
At the other end, in the 8th minute, Sylvester went through
on the run, hesitate a fraction of a second and M. Bonello was quick
enough to save a difficult position for his side.
Nadur kept coming forward and J. Portelli Cauchi saw his
tremendous shot saved by Attard. The
rebound found in the patch of the onrushing Mark Marlow who put the
ball behind Attard from just outside the area, his 1st goal for the
Whites (the Youngsters 1,150th goal in official competitions).
1 - 0 for the holders. Four
minutes later the game was level. An
offside position was not signaled and Dragonov was fouled near the
centre circle. From the
resultant freekick Joseph Grech, totally unmarked, found the back of
the net for the equalizer. It
was a good moment for Kercem and the same player, Grech, should have
put his side in the lead had it not been for goalie Vella, who
cleared by his feet. The
second period of the game was about the same as the first.
J. Portelli C. saw Attard making a tremendous save on his
shot. A. Portelli had
his shot cleared off the line and Marlow was just off the mark with
a direct freekick. Even
5 minutes of added time were not enough to settle this game, which
went into extra time. The nerves were very high and the referee had to sent off 2
players, Sylvester for Kercem and P. Camilleri for Nadur.
Attard had to save a J. Portelli C. shot with his
outstretched hand and Marlow was again off target with a freekick.
120 minutes and the game was still 1-1.
Penalties had to be taken to settle the match.
Both goalies Vella and Attard saved a shot each and the last
kick for Kercem went way over the bar.
Nadur won 5-3. The scorers for Nadur were: Mark Marlow; Mark Buttigieg;
Jason Grech and Brian Portelli. Anthony
Portelli saw his shot saved. Nadur
Youngsters will now face Zebbug Rovers in the final match, scheduled
for the 8th of December, at the Gozo Stadium.
Last season Nadur won the Cup after a penalty shoot out.
Referee:
George Portelli
Nadur
Youngsters formation: Kevin Vella; Paul Camilleri; Mark Buttigieg;
Charles Hili (Kevin Buttigieg); Brian Portelli; Mario Bonello; Jason
Grech; Mark Marlow; Joseph Portelli (Mario Portelli); Anthony
Portelli; Joseph Portelli Cauchi.
