Match Report

League Div. 1
19-03-2004
Nadur Youngsters 3 - Ghajnsielem 2
Gozo Stadium

match report by Charlie Grech

An interesting game with an exciting finish. Two goals in the last two minutes of normal time gave defending Champions Nadur Youngsters not only the three vital points from this match but also the first place in the league table. Nadur thus obtained the double over Ghajnsielem, who must feel disappointed after leading till the dying minutes only to see the whites' character doing the turn over.

Ghajnsielem started in a superb way and had shots by Attard and Kalenda just over the bar before opening the score on the 9th minute. Kalenda’s cross found Joseph Attard unmarked to give his side the lead. Nadur felt the absence of their injured midfield general M. Buttigieg. Attard missed a sitter two minutes later before we saw the start of Nadur’s reaction. Hili’s shot went wide when he should have crossed to Portelli who was in a better position. 

C. Camilleri softly-taken shot went wide and in this patch Ghajnsielem again were being the better side. Nadur hit the upright from a Hili try. Ghajnsielem also hit the post through Attard. Nadur were getting better in their search for the equalizer and Portelli, Camilleri and Hili were close. On the 42nd minute Panic gave to Portelli, who in turn found Charles Hili and from a central position found the back of the net giving Mercieca no chance. All square at half time.

The second half again started with Ghajnsielem being the more adventurous side, even though with little danger to Falzon. For Nadur, substitute J. Portelli saw his shot going well over the bar. On the 71st minute Ghajnsielem went in the lead once more. Nadur’s defense stopped for an offside position, which never was, and Ndayi Kalenda had no difficulty putting the ball into the empty net. Nadur’s reaction this time was instantaneous. Panic hit the side netting from a good position. Meilak, Portelli and Camilleri went near. On the 88th minute Nadur showed their true character. Panic's shot was saved by Mercieca’s legs and in came Nadur Youngsters' President to make it 2-2 with a tremendous shot. The Youngsters took advantage from Ghajnsielem’s discomfort at this moment and even scored the winning goal a minute later. This time it was Anthony Portelli who scored from the edge of the six-yard box. Radivoj Panic had a good but quiet debut for Nadur. This was Portelli’s first goal in six games, and how important it turned out to be. The final whistle found Nadur winning three vital points, which gave them the top position in the league for the first time this season. This happened as Zebbug Rover, the unbeaten league leaders before today, lost surprisingly to Sannat Lions 2-3, after being 2-0 up.  

Nadur will now face Zebbug on the 28th March - another interesting encounter in the pipeline.  Both sides will then meet again on the 31st March in the Freedom Day Cup Final.

Referee:  Clayton Pisani

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