Match Report

League Div. 1
29-02-2004
Nadur Youngsters 6 - Xewkija Tigers 0
Gozo Stadium

match report by Charlie Grech

After the trilling match in the first round between Nadur and Xewkija, in which eight goals were shared, today's game saw Nadur taking no chances and win easily by 6-0.  This is the biggest league win so far this season. Both teams were without some regular players for different reasons. The Youngsters started the match without Marlow who has an injury to his ankle, and Aaron Camilleri replaced him, for his first start for the whites. In the first minutes C. Camilleri shot over the bar from a good position and soon after Simoncic did just the same. But on the 10th minute, Champions Nadur opened the score. A corner by C. Camilleri found Mark Buttigieg in an ideal position to head the ball home giving Agius no chance at all.  Three minutes later Aaron Camilleri shut his critics mouth by scoring a marvelous goal from about 30 meters out, placing the ball in the top corner of the post, marking his first full game for Nadur with a goal. A. Portelli shot straight in the hands of Agius. On the other end, in a rare Xewkija attack, M. Camilleri's header was just wide. Mark Buttigieg had to leave the pitch injured. His replacement, Nadur's president and player J. Portelli, should have concluded better when A. Camilleri picked him unmarked at the centre of the Tigers area but his shot went way over the bar. Agius saved a shot by Simoncic, which was destined for the top corner of the posts. On the 43rd minute the score became 3-0. A free kick for Nadur, from 32 meters out, was taken by Alexander Simoncic, who placed the ball in the top angle on the left of Agius. This was Simoncic's first goal for the Youngsters. Xewkija were pleased with the half time whistle.

Nadur continued on the same path in the second half and in fact they took only 3 minutes to increase the score. A solo action by Chris Camilleri finished with his centrally taken shot in the back of the net. Xewkija's Sabri was wide with his header. Young defender Kevin Buttigieg found time to join the attack and on the 56th minute he scored from a C. Camilleri cross to make the score 5-0. A. Portelli's goal draught is still going on as he hit the side netting from a favorable position. J. Portelli shot wide for Xewkija. Nadur made the scoreline a nofs tuzzana (half a dozen) on the 74th minute. Chris Camilleri scored his second goal of the game with a nice try from just outside the Tigers area. F. P. Azzopardi (on his debut for the whites) found C. Camilleri who headed in the patch of J. Portelli but the latter’s shot went wide. 

A well deserved victory, which now sees Nadur Youngsters a point behind Zebbug Rovers even though the Rovers have a game in hand. Xewkija are now bottom of the table with 7 points, the same as Victoria Hotspurs and Sannat Lions, with Xewkija and Sannat having played a game less the Hotspurs.

Referee:  Anton Zammit

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