Nadur move closer to win the title

13 March 2022

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I (MD 16) Gozo Stadium

Victoria Hotspurs FC : 0

Nadur Youngsters FC: 2

29’ (0-1) Marcelo Barbosa

75’ (0-2) Stefan Cassar

Victoria H:

D. Spiteril, C. Cardona, ER. Serrano Valero, C. Vella, J. Azzopardi, A. Debrincat, H. De Souza Maciel, J. Pace, L. Farrugia, A. Xiberras, J. Tabone (E. Xiberras).

Nadur Y:

S. Sultana, M. Tabone (M.P. Camilleri), L. Moreira, J.M. Vella (G. Farrugia), I. Xuereb, J. Zammit, M.J. Barbosa, S. Cassar, E. Bruno Domingos (J. Parnis), G. Hili, J.Flor Da Silva.

Nadur Youngsters recovered from the unexpected defeat conceded in their previous match from the championship and obtained a deserved 2-0 win over Victoria Hotspurs.  With the points obtained Nadur moved closer to becoming mathematically champions before the end of the league.

For this match, Nadur was determined to make up for the disappointing result of the previous match and dominated play throughout the ninety minutes.  Nadur however found it difficult to convert their superiority into a comfortable lead so that for most of the encounter the Hotspurs remained in contention to obtain a positive result.  The Hotspurs could not play this match with their best formation as they were depleted due to a number of players who were suspended or injured.  As a result, the Citizens were forced to adopt a defensive deployment and they rarely created a danger to Nadur’s rearguard.

Timeline

Nadur as expected produced pressure on Victoria’s defence from the early stages but they found it very difficult open a comfortable margin to reflect their territorial superiority.

5’ Victoria’s goalie Daniel Spiteri had good timing to block a dangerous cross towards the goalmouth by Stefan Cassar.

6’ Nadur’s Joseph Zammit delivered a good cross inside Victoria’s area and Ederson Bruno Domingos prolonged towards Judivan Flor Da Silva but the latter saw his attempt blocked by the goalkeeper.

12’ The Youngsters were again dangerous through a curling shot by Ederson Bruno Domingos that missed the target.

29’ (0-1) Nadur took the lead when Joseph Zammit delivered a cross from the right flank and Stefan Cassar prolonged towards the goalmouth.  Victoria’s defence failed to clear the danger and from the resultant melee, Marcelo Barbosa placed in goal with a low shot.

32’ Victoria’s keeper Daniel Spiteri was at the right place and saved without difficulty an effort by Marcelo Barbosa.

41’ Nadur’s Ederson Bruno Domingos passed outside the area to Judivan Flor Da Silva but the latter had his shot that was almost surprised Victoria’s goalie but the ball ended in the corner.

HT (0-1)

Second Half

After the break, the Hotspurs continued to produce an effective defensive deployment while Nadur continued to struggle to put their minds at rest from the win by scoring more goals.

2’ Nadur could have added another goal but a close-range attempt by Ederson Bruno Domingos, following a shot by Joseph Zammit was saved to a corner by goalie Daniel Spiteri.

3’ The same goalkeeper was well placed and saved a close-range header by Judivan Flor Da Silva.

13’ Nadur’s Joseph Mario Vella had a good shot from outside the area that ended high.

15’ Victoria’ goalie Daniel Spiteri blocked an effort from an angled position by Stefan Cassar.

16’ The Hotspurs almost surprised their opponents but a strike by Henrique De Souza Maciel was deflected by the defence to a corner and from the same corner kick by Maciel, the attempt by Adrian Xiberras missed the target.

20’ In another offensive action by Nadur a header by Judivan Flor Da Silva following a cross by Ederson Bruno Domingos ended wide.

24’ (goal disallowed) Nadur had a goal scored by Judivan Flor Da Silva following a cross by Marcelo Barbosa for a foul by the striker before concluding on goal.

30’ (0-2) Nadur doubled their lead when Victoria’s goalkeeper had his attempt to clear the ball from the area that was partially blocked by Judivan Flor Da Silva and Stefan Cassar took advantage of the situation and fired towards goal with the ball hitting the crossbar before ending into an open goal.

39’ A free-kick by Nadur’s Marcelo Barbosa ended just high.

FT (VH 0 – NY 2)

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri