Match Report

League Div. 1
11-04-2004
Xewkija Tigers 3 - Nadur Youngsters 3
Gozo Stadium

by Charlie Grech 

Easter Sunday saw Champions Nadur Youngsters opening their commitments for the third and final round of this year's Division One League. Both Nadur and last-placed Xewkija Tigers were in dire need of the 3 points for different reasons. In fact the result didn't go well with either team.  The match was characterized by some harsh decisions by the referee. Nadur opened up on the offensive and had a C. Camilleri's long range shot going just wide. Agius saved well a shot by A. Portelli for a corner. In their first attack, Xewkija opened the score. On the 11th minute Xewkija won a corner. It was taken by J. Farrugia and Rais Sabri with a good header gave Falzon no chance at all. Nadur's reaction was immediate. Just a minute later an A. Portelli perfect cross found Chris Camilleri who fired a tremendous shot into the top corner of the net. The Youngsters continued on the attack and on the 14th minute they took the lead. Again it was Chris Camilleri who went on a solo action and beat Agius with another nice shot. Nadur were playing some nice football at this time but the game was being interrupted too often by the referee. Xewkija tried to re-group and Njoku found J. Farrugia whose shot was saved well by Falzon. Falzon was called into action soon after to save Njoku's shot on the run. Xewkija were taking the upper hand at this patch of the match and it came to no surprise that they managed to level the score on the 35th minute. Mark Camilleri escaped the offside trap and had no difficulty in beating Falzon with a tremendous shot.  2-2 was the score on the half way mark.  

Nadur opened in style again in the second part. A C. Camilleri's shot was saved by Agius and Simoncic took the rebound well only to see Agius making a miracle save for a corner. J. Portelli wasted the best chance for Nadur when alone in the area he shot direct into Agius. Falzon saved Nadur's day, when he saved for a corner, a freekick from Njoku. On the hour mark Xewkija were awarded a penalty. K. Buttigieg was judged to pull down Farrugia and Jason Portelli made it 3-2 for the Tigers. M. Camilleri should have secured the result for his team, but as he once again found himself behind the Nadur defense, he hesitated a second too long and K. Buttigieg cleared the ball. On the 75th minute a harsh decision by the referee changed the course of the game. Camilleri was on a solo run and Falzon went out of his area and cleared the ball with his foot, only to hear the referee's whistle and saw also the red card. Nadur's reserve keeper, Chris Azzopardi, made his debut for the whites, taking P. Camilleri's place. From the resultant free kick Sabri hit the post. 

Nadur went all out to save the game and even with a man down they managed to score late on the 43rd minute. A confused action ended with a low shot by Alexander Simoncic finding the back of the net. 

The Youngsters' joy was well deserved.  

After this match Zebbug Rovers beat Sannat Lions 4-1 to extend their lead to 5 points, but they had played a game more than the other teams.

Referee:  Anton Zammit

Nadur Youngsters' formation: Justin Falzon; Jeffrey Meilak (Frank Paul Azzopardi); Kevin Buttigieg; Brian Portelli; Alexander Simoncic; Mario Bonello; Paul Camilleri (Chris Azzopardi); Charles Hili; Anthony Portelli; Joseph Portelli; Chris Camilleri.