Nadur Youngsters Eliminated from the Fa Trophy Despite a Positive Performance

The FA Trophy Round 3
Gozo Stadium

Nadur Youngsters    :           0

1. Grima, J. Buttigieg, D. Stojanovic, C. Hili, R. Da Silva, S. Attard, S. Muscat (J. Grima 72’), M. Stojanovic, C. Antunes, D. Dos Santos, M. Zerafa (C. Debono 80‘).

Hamrun Spartans     :           2          (J. Grech 49’, 90+3’)

1. Cassar, N. Saturday, P. Chircop, L. Sciberras, M.N. Jorge, M. Giusti (T. Cilia 88’), L. Grech, M. Micallef, J. Grech, L.M. Vergara Rodrigues, P.J. Teixeira Maia (J.P. Mifsud Triganza 76’).

In the last match from the third round of the MFA’s The Malta FA Trophy, which was played at the Gozo Stadium, Nadur Youngsters suffered a defeat in their match against Premiere division side Hamrun Spartans with two goals scored during the second period.  In the next round Hamrun will meet Mqabba.

The match turned up into an interesting match where Nadur remained in contention until the final seconds of the match.  Hamrun as expected saw more of the ball but Nadur were well organized at their defense and managed to produce serious goal scoring opportunities so that the qualification at stake remained uncertain for most of the encounter.  Hamrun’s win matured with a brace scored by skipper Jake Grech who netted the opener during the early stages of the second period and sealed the issue with the second goal scored seconds away from the final whistle.

For most of the time during the first period play took place in the midfield as Hamrun found it difficult to create serious attempts towards Nadur’s goal.  Nadur not only defended well and kept the danger away from their area but operated some good breaks within Hamrun’s territory.  In the second minute of play Nadur almost surprised their opponents but Michael Zerafa arrived late to an inviting cross shot by Claudio Antunes and one minute later a free kick by Dewide Dos Santos ended just wide from Hamrun’s goal.  Hamrun replied on 8 minutes through a shot by Luke Sciberras that missed the target and Hamrun’s best scoring opportunity of the first half arrived on 20 minutes through a strike by Massimiliano Giusti that ended just high.  Three minutes later an effort by Jake Grech was saved to a corner by goalie Mark Grima and on 28 minutes Nadur’s Dewide Dos Santos had a cross shot that was easily neutralised by goalie David Cassar.  Nadur went closest to scoring on 41 minutes through a shot by Milos Stojanovic that was saved in two attempts by goalie David Cassar.

The visitors had an excellent start in the second period and opened the score on 49 minutes through a free kick Jake Grech that took a deflection and ended in goal.  The same Grech had a goal disallowed for an offside position minutes later but Nadur replied on 55 minutes through a low shot by Milos Stojanovic that ended just wide.  In the following minutes Nadur kept insisting and on 58 minutes a strike by Charles Hili ended high.  One minute later Hamrun’s Patrick jean Teixeira Maia had an attempt that was saved by goalie Mark Grima.  On 66 minutes they protested for a penalty alleging a foul on Dewide Dos Santos and in the following action Hamrun’s Saturday Nanapere entered Nadur’s area but his attempt was deflected and goalie Mark Grima saved without difficulty.  Hamrun’s keeper David Cassar was again called to make a good save on 69 minutes to block in two attempts a strike by Claudio Antunes.  Hamrun could have made sure of the victory in the final stages but two attempts on separate occasions by Massimiliano Giusti’s were well saved by Nadur’s keeper.  During stoppage time Nadur went close to force extra time but a free kick by Claudio Antunes was saved by goalie David Cassar sand in the third minute of stoppage time Hamrun made sure of the qualification by scoring the second goal through a low drive by Jake Grech, after exchanging the ball with substitute Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza just outside the area, following a counter break.

Referee: Glenn Tonna

Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Peter Abela

Fourth Official: Mario Apap