Match Report

League Div. 1
17-04-2004
Kercem Ajax 1 - Nadur Youngsters 3
Gozo Stadium

match report by Charlie Grech 

Nadur Youngsters bounced back from the hiccup they had in their last match, 3-3 against Xewkija, and managed to get a good result by beating Kercem Ajax by three goals to one. It was a hard-fought match with the result unsure till the very last minute. The champions had more of the ball but at times they were very reluctant in their approach and could have suffered if Kercem took any of their chances. The match started with Nadur going all out to get the early goal, but the first save was made by Vella, on his return to the Youngsters' side, when he saved a Draganov shot. J. Portelli saw his shot cleared off the Kercem's goal line by Debrincat. Simoncic found J. Meilak with an intelligent pass but the latter’s shot went just wide. J. Portelli saw his markers off only to see Attard saving well for a corner. A. Portelli went on a solo action but his shot was also deflected for a corner. Just before half time K. Buttigieg was injured and had to be replaced at the start of the second half by debutant Shaun Muscat.  

Kercem started in the better form in this second half and Draganov went close twice but was denied by Vella in the Youngsters goal. But Vella could do nothing when on the 54th minute Dragomir Draganov escaped the offside trap and had little difficulty beating Vella and give his side the lead. Kercem continued to dictate matters and Sylvester found Draganov who was denied once again by Vella. Nadur had only two shots from the distance by C. Camilleri to show. But the champions' character started to show when A. Portelli shot softly from an ideal position. Nadur were seeing more of the ball and were dangerously attacking the Kercem goal. On the 62nd minute a confused action in the Kercem area finished with two defenders getting into the way of Attard and Anthony Portelli chipped the loose ball into the net for the deserved equalizer. With this goal A. Portelli is joint second all time top score for the Youngsters with Mario Gauci. The same Portelli header hit the post from a Simoncic perfect cross. J. Portelli shot wide from a tight angle. Nadur went in front when Azzopardi tripped Simoncic in the area and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Chris Camilleri score putting the ball on the right bottom corner and throwing Attard onto the other side on the 69th minute.  

This advantage seemed to wake Kercem up as they started to play the better football while Nadur looked confused. B. Portelli saved Nadur’s day when he cleared his line of what seemed the equalizing goal. Kercem were going all out and were being caught by the Youngsters counter attack, but the Nadur forwards were slow at times and a few chances were lost. On the 92nd minute Nadur sealed the 3 points. And guess who sealed it? Joseph Portelli, Nadur’s player/president. From a corner action he found space to head the ball behind Attard. Three precious points for the Champions, in their quest to retain the title for the third consecutive year.

Nadur are second place in the league table, two points behind leaders Zebbug Rovers with four games remaining for both sides. Nadur will play their next game on Sunday 25th April at 2.00 pm, against Victoria Hotspurs.

In the meantime the G.F.A. Cup Final has been rescheduled for the 6th of June 2004. It is being contested by Zebbug Rovers and Nadur Youngsters.

Referee:  Anton Zammit

The Nadur Youngsters formation: Kevin Vella; Jeffrey Meilak; Kevin Buttigieg (Shaun Muscat); Brian Portelli; Alexander Simoncic; Mario Bonello; Paul Camilleri; Charles Hili; Joseph (pb) Portelli; Anthony Portelli; Chris Camilleri.