Match Report

League Div. 1
02-05-2004
Nadur Youngsters 3 - Sannat Lions 0
Gozo Stadium

match report by Charlie Grech

Champions Nadur Youngsters recovered their lost pride, following the heavy defeat by Hotspurs last Sunday, by beating Sannat Lions with three goals to nil. It was a good test as the Lions were in dire need of points to improve their precarious league position. Nadur moved back to two points behind leaders Zebbug, but the latter have a game at hand. Nadur were more organized in their play and were more direct with their firing at goal. 

The game started with Mutalib shooting just wide for Sannat and Panic missed a header from a very good position for Nadur. A. Portelli shot weakly from a cross by Panic, with Galea making an easy save. The same A. Portelli went on a solo action, beating four Sannat defenders but his shot was weak again and Galea saved well. A confused action in the Lions penalty box ended with Portelli just missing the right hand post. On a rare Sannat action, Mutalib saw his shot going wide from an ideal position. On the 34th minute Nadur opened the score. Chris Camilleri found the back of the net with a tremendous shot from outside the area. There was very little action till half time, as play was mostly in midfield with both defenses dominating the attackers.

The second half was only seven minutes old when Nadur increased their lead. Again it was a good try from outside the area, by Alexander Simoncic, that hit the left post and ended in the back of the net. The game was now decided as Nadur had no difficulty in controlling the match. Sannat were getting more of the ball without being dangerous for the Falzon posts, but De Oliveira hit the post and from the same action Ngangue’s header went just wide in what was the most dangerous action by Sannat. On the 79th minute Nadur closed the match with their third goal. A one touch action involving C. Camilleri, R. Panic and Charles Hili, ended with the latter putting the ball behind the beaten Galea. In the dying minutes, Nadur could have added the fourth when B. Portelli hit the top corner of the post from a Simoncic corner. The final whistle of referee A. Zammit found Nadur worthy winner of this contest.

Referee:  Anton Zammit

The Nadur Youngsters formation: Justin Falzon; Jeffrey Meilak; Kevin Buttigieg; Brian Portelli; Alexander Simoncic; Mario Bonello; Paul Camilleri; Anthony Portelli (Aaron Camilleri); Charles Hili; Radivoj Panic; Chris Camilleri.