GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I
Gozo Stadium
Nadur Y : 1 (S. Miloskovic 77’)
M. Muscat, S.H. Muller, C. Hili (C. Abela), D. Krstic, S. Miloskovic, Sh. Attard, J. Buttigieg, B. Said, S. Cassar, Sa. Attard, R. Da Silva.
Victoria H : 3 (E. Da Silva 23’, 41’, 70’)
F. Parnis, J. Pace (J. Tabone), J. Bajada, K. Farrugia (L. Grima), D. Sowatey, F. Apap, C. Mercieca (A. Debrincat), E. Lattes, E. Da Silva, C. Camilleri, G. Dwomoh Lombas.
Victoria Hotspurs obtained a 3-1 win over Nadur Youngsters in a top-of-the table clash, which was also the main match from match-day 9 of the championship. With this result the Hotspurs consolidated their leadership and they now have a four-point lead over their challengers for the title Xewkija Tigers and Victoria Hotspurs. The match lived up to the expectations as it pulled a sizable crowd to the Gozo Stadium where the two sets of supporters provided an entertaining atmosphere. Both Victoria and Nadur needed a victory form this match and as a result the two sides produced offensive play. The Hotspurs however took the driving seat as soon as they opened the score with a goal that arrived midway through the first half so that they administered play with authority and continued to produce the better scoring opportunities. The victory for the Hotspurs was well deserved and in this match they confirmed that they are the hot favourites to win the title.
The Hotspurs were very well organised at their defence and they rarely conceded space to Nadur’s striker to operate and to create danger. The Hotspurs had control of the midfield where Nadur struggled to win possession and the latter often ended up committing forced errors in their passing. However, Victoria’s protagonist in this convincing win was undoubtedly their Brazilian striker Elton Da Silva who scored the three goals of his side and who was also a continuous threat to Nadur’s rear guard.
Play took place in the midfield during the opening minutes of the encounter as the two sides studied each other. However, as time passed by both Victoria and Nadur tried to be more offensive in their respective play. On 11 minutes Victoria’s Elton Da Silva had an attempt from a good position that missed the target and one minute later Nadur lost a good scoring opportunity when Darko Krstic released debutant Stanimar Miloskovic who entered the area but concluded incredibly high when he was face to face with the goalkeeper. On 13 minutes Nadur’s keeper was well placed to block a first timer by Chris Camilleri and on 20 minutes the same goalkeeper was called to make another important intervention to save in two attempts a low shot by Elton Da Silva. The Hotspurs opened the score three minutes later when Elton Da Silva received a ball inside Nadur’s area, turned around his direct opponent and surprised the defence with a fine shot. Nadur seemed shocked and on 31 minutes they could have conceded another goal but Chris Camilleri’s attempt following a low cross by Elton Da Silva ended just wide. On 40 minutes Nadur protested for a penalty when Darko Krstic ended on the floor inside Victoria’s area following a challenge with Daniel Sowatey and one minute later the Hotspurs doubled the score when Christian Mercieca released Elton Da Silva following a counter break and the Brazilian striker fired in goal with a shot on the run form an angled position. Nadur replied on 45 minutes through a curling shot by Shaun Attard that was well saved by goalie Adrian Parnis and in the first minute of stoppage time before half time the Hotspurs went very close to add another goal but a low shot by debutant Galder Dwomoh Lombas was saved with difficulty to a corner by goalie Matthew Muscat.
Nadur tried to produce a reaction after the break in an attempt to re-open the issue. On 48 minutes Darko Kristic had a lob over Victoria’s keeper after receiving from Stanimir Miloskovic that ended on the roof of Victoria’s goal. Five minutes later the Youngsters created a good scoring opportunity but a strike by Brandon Said missed the target and on 61 minutes Victoria’s keeper Adrian Parnis was called to make a difficult save to deny Stanimir Miloskovic from score in. The Hotspurs continued to keep Nadur’s rear guard under pressure through counter breaks and on 67 minutes Elton Da Silva unmarked Chris Camilleri inside Nadur’s area but the latter had his attempt blocked by goalie Matthew Muscat. The Hotspurs scored their third goal three minutes later when Jonathan Bajada released Elton Da Silva in a counter break and the Brazilian striker entered the area and placed in goal with a low shot. On 72 minutes Nadur’s keeper Matthew Muscat was well placed to save to a corner a low drive by Galder Dwomoh Lombas and on 77 minutes the Youngsters scored their consolation goal when Stanimir Miloskovic receiving a ball inside Victoria’s area, turned around his direct opponent and concluded in goal with a low shot. On 82 minutes the Youngsters protested for a penalty as Saviour Attard ended on the floor inside the area following a melee in front of the goalmouth by Nadur’s player was cautioned for simulation. During the final moments of the encounter the Hotspurs took advantage of open spaces within Nadur’s territory and went close to scoring on more than one occasion. On 87 minutes a good attempt by Victoria’s Chris Camilleri was saved by Nadur’s keeper and in the first minute of stoppage time the same goalkeeper made another difficult intervention following a shot by Galder Dwomoh Lombas. In the following action two consecutive shots by Elton Da Silva and Chris Camilelri were blocked by Nadur’s defence and seconds before the end of the encounter Nadur could have scored their second goal but an effort by Darko Krstic was stopped by the post.
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
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