Matchday 7

Nadur Youngsters - 1 vs Xewkija Tigers - 1

by Saviour Attard -

Nadur Youngsters fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Xewkija Tigers on Sunday  at the Gozo Stadium after falling behind through a penalty by Chris Camilleri early in the second half .The whites equalized with seven minutes  remaining on the clock  with ten men on the pitch after that Cadu was dismissed for a second yellow.

Peter Buttigieg was also sent off near the end for Nadur who despite the draw still lead the table with a point over Victoria Hotspurs. The game turned out to be a tough contest with referee Marco Borg often revolting to his cards.Immediately after kick-off the match sparked into action as a cross by Anthony Portelli found Cadu unmarked in the area who concluded the ball high over the bar. Xewkija’s reply was immediate as a cross shot by Chris Camilleri was perfectly met by Basil Chibueze who also concluded badly. After the two early chances both teams managed to settle themselves on the back and it was near the half time whistle that Nadur were again dangerous. Anthony Portelli passed invitingly towards Kyle Russell who raced towards the ball and shot low but saw his effort saved brilliantly by on-rushing goalie Jonathan Xuereb. Seconds later Xuereb was again superb when he cleared in corner a fierce shot by Cadu.

The second half saw Xewkija gaining more confidence and started to build up more attacks. In fact they managed to break the deadlock in the 53^rd minute from a penalty by Chris Camilleri after that Manuel Xerri was fouled in the area. Nadur pressed hard for the equalizer mainly from dead-ball situations. Charles Mercieca was dangerous both in the 58^th and in the 65^th minute but Xewkija’s rearguard managed to neutralize the danger. On the 72^th Nadur suffered a huge blow as Cadu was sent off for a second yellow when he fell in the area after a contact with Xewija’s defender Josmar Vella. Referee Marco Borg raced towards the Brazilian with the yellow card in his hand judging this as a simulation.

However this did not demoralize the whites who bravely fought for every ball and their efforts were justly rewarded seven minutes from time.A corner by Alex Simoncic was met in the air by Jeffrey Meilak who saw his effort darting in the corner of the net.Xewkija could have won it on the third minute of added time when Joseph Azzoppardi was unmarked in the area by a cross from the left but his shot failed to reach the target.Peter Buttigieg was than sent off for a second bookable offence after a foul on Basil Chibueze.

Nadur’s next match is on the 27th December against Kercem and will play Ghajnsielem a week later. On the 10th of January the whites face title rivals Victoria Hotspurs.

Sunday 6th December 2009 at 14:30 pm.
Referee: Marco Borg.
Scorers: Chris Camilleri 53' pen (XT), Jeffery Meilaq 83' (N).
Yellow Cards: Peter Buttiegieg, Claudio Antunes (N), Manuel Xerri, Andreas Fotso (XT).
Red Cards: Claudio Antunes, Peter Buttigieg (N).
Nadur Formation: Steve Sultana, Mario Portelli, Peter Buttiegieg, Jeffery Meilaq, Charles Mercieca, Alex Simoncic, Saviour Attard, Charles Hili, Anthony Portelli, Kyle Russell, Claudio Antunes.