Match Report

League Div. 1
28-03-2004
Nadur Youngsters 0 - Zebbug Rovers 4
Gozo Stadium

match report by Charlie Grech

The match between Champions and league leaders Nadur Youngsters and second placed Zebbug Rovers was well awaited for. It turned out to be a very disappointed outcome for Nadur as they were well beaten in the end, beaten 4-0 with 2 goals in each half.  

Zebbug Rovers regained the top position and ended this second round with this double on the Youngsters and 2 points ahead of them. Zebbug could not have a better start than this as on the 6th minute, an offside position was not noticed by the assistant referee (in fact there were three players in this position) and allowed John Eboh with an easy way to goal. Nadur tried to react and Simoncic shot wide a minute later. Xuereb saved well on Simoncic’s shot and again stopped superbly for a corner a free kick by the same player. Meilak’s cross to C. Camilleri whose shot was an easy job for Xuereb. Again Xuereb save a low free kick by Simoncic. On the 43rd minute Nadur conceded the second goal. This time it was a soft goal scored by Joseph Cordina’s lob over Falzon. Panic was denied again by Xuereb in injury time, just before the first half whistle.

Nadur started the second half trying to get back into the game but Dominic Grech’s team were defending in style and always dangerous on the counter attack. J. Portelli missed a good chance on the 56th minute, and three minutes later Zebbug made them 3-0. From a free kick action Mahjoub Touali beat 2 defenders before putting the ball behind Falzon. The game was won and lost at this time but one have to give credit to the Youngsters' young side for their effort of never giving up. Zebbug lost a couple of chances, especially P. Camilleri who twice saw his shots going wide. Falzon denied Touali finding the net with a superb save from a direct free kick. But Mahjoub Touali made amendments on the 86th minute when his direct free kick was deflected by the barrier and finished in the bottom corner for Zebbug’s forth goal, and his personal second.  

A harsh result for the whites but the best team on the day won the points. Nadur’s support was continuously throughout the match, assisted by the band.

Both sides will meet again in three days time, on March 31st for the Freedom Day Cup final.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi

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