Noel
Vassallo Cup Final
08-12-2003
Zebbug Rovers 3 - Nadur Youngsters 0
Gozo Stadium
match
report by Charlie Grech
Zebbug
Rovers won the second edition of the Noel Vassallo Cup beating
holders Nadur Youngsters by three goals to nil.
Zebbug took all their chances in this much awaited rematch of
last year’s final. Cloudy
weather and strong northwesterly wind didn't stop the crowd to flock
the Gozo Stadium.
The game started with both teams studying each other in the early stages and the real first danger came from a direct free kick from Nadur’s Bonello which was well saved by Xuereb in the Zebbug goal. The Rovers' reaction came late in the first half when a cross by Quinhione found Eboh totally unmarked but his shot from two yards out went completely off the mark. On the 41st minute J. Portelli solo action between two Zebbug players ended with his angled shot saved very well by Xuereb. From the resultant corner K. Buttigieg’s shot was deflected over the bar. On the stroke of half time, Zebbug opened the score, a through pass by Quinhione to Eboh whose header this time found the back of the net. The two minutes of injury time proved vital for the Youngsters as they conceded the second goal. Again a cross by Quinhione, in my opinion the man of the match, found Reuben Galea whose header went over the line for a 2-0 half time lead for Zebbug.
The
second half opened with Nadur trying to get back into the game but
in the 49th minute, Quinhione made perfectly sure of winning the cup
for his team by scoring the third goal for Zebbug after a personal
action. This was the killing
touch for the match. Nadur
tried to get at least the consolation goal but efforts from M.
Bonello’s free kicks, C. Hili and Portelli went off the mark or
were easily saved by Xuereb. Zebbug
controlled the game to the final whistle making sure they don’t
concede a goal. This
was their third victory in a row by the same score line, proving
once again they are now one of the favorites for top honors.
Referee:
Adrian Casha
The Nadur Youngsters formation: Kevin Vella; Kevin Buttigieg; Mark Buttigieg (George Formosa); Charles Hili; Brian Portelli; Mario Bonello; Jason Grech (Mario Portelli); Jeffrey Meilak; Aloysius Ihbeulu; Anthony Portelli; Joseph Portelli Cauchi.
