Nadur Return to Winning Ways

GFA BOV GFL Division I
Gozo Stadium

Nadur return to winning ways

Nadur Y                      :           4          (R. Da Silva 32’, D. Dos Santos 60’, 85’; C. Antunes 79’)

1. Grima, M. Zerafa (P. Camilleri), S. Attard, R. Da Silva, D. Stojanovic, S. Muscat, C. Azzopardi, M. Stojanovic, C. Antunes (M.P. Camilleri), D. Dos Santos, J. Grima (C. Debono).

SK Victoria W :           0

1. Vella, D. Mercieca, S.F. Bajada, S. Draskovic, J. Attard, N. Vella, P. Dordevic, J. Refalo, I. Grkajac, I. Xuereb, M. Raskovic.

Nadur Youngsters recovered from a difficult period, where they were eliminated from two competitions and also suffered a defeat in their previous match from the championship, with a 4-0 win over SK Victoria Wanderers.  The two sides were aiming to win this match as they were both coming from a defeat in their previous match of the championship.  The wanderers seemed more motivated and offensive in their play during the opening half hour of play but as soon as Nadur opened the score they rarely gave the impression that they could save the result.  The Wanderers were weak in attack and committed mistakes at their defence so that they compromised the possibility to remain in contention for the points at stake.  On the other hand Nadur once again showed that they deserve their current position on the table as they managed to resist through the difficult period and made good use of their experience to administer play during the last hour of the match.  Nadur’s striker Dewide Dos Santos scored a brace in this victory and he is now among the top scorers of the category.  For this match Nadur had Charles Hili and Josef Buttigieg missing due to suspension while Mark Hyzler was not available due to an injury.  The Wanderers had Chris Sciortino missing due to a suspension.

The Wanderers went very close to open the score on 10 minutes but Predrag Dordevic incredibly headed onto the goalkeeper from close distance following a cross by Ian Xuereb so that Nadur’s defence recovered and cleared the danger.  On 25 minutes the same Predrag Dordevic headed over the crossbar following a corner kick by Igor Grkajac and three minutes later Nadur almost opened the score but Michael Zerafa’s close ranged header following a free kick by Dewide Dos Santos was blocked in time by Victoria’s keeper.  Nadur opened the score on 32 minutes when Ronaldo Da Silva deflected the ball into the goal following another free kick by Dewide Dos Santos.  The Wanderers replied on 35 minutes through a shot by Igor Grkajac following a personal action that ended wide.  Nadur were in the driving seat and before half time they could have increased their lead on at least two occasions.  On 41 minutes a shot by Dewide Dos Santos following a personal action ended wide and the same Brazilian striker had a free kick on the stroke of half time that just missed the target.

After the break the Wanderers tried to produce a reaction but Nadur kept the danger away from their area and created the best scoring opportunities following counter breaks.  On 48 minutes Victoria’s goalie Matthew Vella saved a low shot by Claudio Antunes following a personal action and two minutes later a first timer by Dewide Dos Santos after receiving from Claudio Antunes ended just over the crossbar.  Nadur doubled the score on the hour mark when Dewide Dos Santos won the ball from Victoria’s defence and lobbed into an open goal as he saw the goalkeeper outside his position.  On 67 minutes the Youngsters could have added another goal but Michael Zerafa incredibly concluded wide following a cross by Dewide Dos Santos.  The Wanderers had an opportunity to reduce the deficit on 70 minutes but Predrag Dordevic concluded high from an ideal position after receiving from Milanko Raskovic.  Four minutes later Predrag Dordevic was once unmarked in Nadur’s area but his close ranged header, following a cross by Igor Grkajac, was blocked by keeper Mark Grima.  The Youngsters practically made sure of the victory when they scored the third goal on 79 minutes through a low drive by Claudio Antunes, who ran away with a personal action from the midfield and the ball hit the base of the post before ending in goal.  On 85 minutes Nadur sealed the victory with the fourth goal.  A shot from close distance by Dewide Dos Santos following a low cross by substitute Christian Debono was partially saved by goalie Matthew Vella but the same Brazilian striker fired in goal with a shot from close distance.

Referee: Paul Toledo