GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I
Gozo Stadium
Victoria H : 2 (E. Da Silva 35’pen., 75’pen.)
A. Parnis, J. Pace, J. Bajada, K. Farrugia (L. Grima), D. Sowatey, F. Apap, C. Mercieca, E. Lattes, E. Da Silva, C. Camilleri, H. Maciel.
Nadur Y : 0
M. Muscat, S.H. Muller, G. Muscat, D. Farrugia, M. Hyzler (S. Cassar), C. Hili, D. Krstic, S. Attard, B. Said, D. Dos Santos, M. Markovic
The match between Victoria Hotspurs and Nadur Youngsters from match-day 2 of the championship was considered as a direct clash between two serious contenders for the title this season. The match, which pull a good crowd to the Gozo Stadium, confirmed the expectations as the two sides showed that they have the potential to be among the protagonists in the championship. The Hotspurs were the better side throughout the ninety minutes but they only managed to score from two penalties, one in each half. Victoria’s rearguard had an excellent performance as they made it very difficult for Nadur’s strikers to create space and attempts at goals. In this match Nadur seemed confused during the opening stages and struggled to share play with their opponents. The Youngsters showed some improvement during the first part of the second period but they failed to capitalize from the few serious scoring opportunities so that they practically threw the towel as they conceded the second penalty and had to play the last minutes of the match with a player less on the field.
The Hotspurs seemed more motivated and were more adventurous in their play during the first half. On 7 minutes a shot from outside the area by Emiliano Lattes was partially saved by goalie Matthew Muscat and form the rebound Henrique Maciel placed in goal but the referee disallowed the effort for an offside position. On 13 minutes Nadur’s goalie failed to hold a free kick by Elton Da Silva and the action ended in a corner and one minute later the Hotspurs lost a golden scoring opportunity when Kevin Farrugia entered the area from the left flank but Chris Camilleri incredibly lifted over the crossbar from close distance. Nadur replied on 18 minutes through a free kick by Dewide Dos Santos that was saved in two attempts by goalie Adrian Parnis and two minutes later Victoria’s Emiliano Lattes had another strike from outside the area that was blocked by goalie Matthew Muscat. Nadur almost opened the score on 33 minutes but a direct free kick by Darko Krstic was stopped by the post with the goalkeeper beaten. One minute later the Hotspurs operated a counter break and Henrique Maciel was floored in the area by Charles Hili. The referee awarded a penalty and Elton Da Silva converted from the spot kick so that they took the break with a deserved one goal lead.
Nadur came out in a better shape after the break and on 47 minutes they could have leveled the score but Marko Markovic had a close ranged header following a free kick by Dewide Dos Santos that was blocked by goalie Adrian Parnis and the defense cleared the danger with some difficulty. On 56 minutes Nadur protested for a penalty when Shaun Attard ended on the floor in the area following a challenge with an opponent and less than a minute later the Hotspurs were dangerous through a strike by Henrique Maciel that ended over the crossbar. The Hotspurs could have doubled the score on 62 minutes but Ferdinando Apap headed badly in front of a open goal following a free kick by Henrique Maciel so that the ball passed across the goalmouth and was cleared by the defense. Five minutes later the Citizens had a goal by Daniel Sowatey following a free kick by Chris Camilleri that was disallowed for an offside infringement. On 73 minutes the Hotspurs were awarded a penalty for a foul by goalie Matthew Muscat on Elton Da Silva. The referee’s decision brought protests from Nadur’s players and Charles Hili was sent off for pushing the referee. When the situation calmed down, on 75 minutes Elton Da Silva converted from the spot kick and made it 2-0 for the Hotspurs. Nadur went close to reduce the deficit on 80 minutes when Darko Krstic produced a fine move on the left flank and from his cross Dewide Dos Santos turned around a defender in the area but his attempt at goal was saved to a corner with difficulty by goalie Adrian Parnis. Nadur seemed demoralized during the final stages of the encounter and the Hotspurs took full advantage so that they held command of play and created other good actions within Nadur’s territory mainly through Elton Da Silva and Henrique Maciel.
Referee: Etienne Mangion
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