Xewkija defeat the champions

25 September 2022

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I (MD 4) Gozo Stadium

Xewkija Tigers FC : 1

Nadur Youngsters FC : 0

23’ (1-0) Rodney Buttigieg

Xewkija T:

N. Kosanin, J. Vella, M. Mercieca, J. Buttigieg, R. Buttigieg, J.A. Hernandez Leal (S. Xuereb), D. Bogdanovic, A. Bozovic, D. Merceica, D. Andelovic, C. Abela.

Nadur Y:

S. Sultana, L.B. Da Silva, M. Tabone, I. Xuereb, J.M. Vella, J. Zammit, M. Jr. Barbosa, I. Nedeljkovic, G. Hili, G. Farrugia (M.P. Camilleri), P. Dordevic.

Xewkija Tigers obtained a 1-0 win over champions Nadur Youngsters so that they registered their second win in a row and made up for a disappointing start in the championship.  On the other hand, this was Nadur’s first defeat after three consecutive wins.

Nadur were aiming to extend their perfect start and to take advantage of the unexpected defeat conceded by challengers Ghajnsielem, but as the match turned out Xewkija managed to produce an effective defensive performance and the actions on goal were rare from both sides.  Xewkija however scored a goal midway through the first half that decided the issue.  Nadur seemed frustrated as time passed by and despite their continuous pressure on Xewkija’s defence, mainly during the second period, they did not manage to find a way how to beat Xewkija’s goalie, and left the field of play empty handed.

The result of this match confirmed that the level of the championship this season is more competitive thsn in previous years.  Nadur missed an opportunity to become runaway leaders at an early stage and at the same time allowed more teams to be serious challengers for the top positions.

Timeline:

Nadur tried to take command of play from the early stages but as time passed by, they became nervous and did not manage to create danger towards Xewkija’s goal.  The latter surprised their opponents by scoring the decisive goal of the encounter midway through the first period so that they gained confidence and resisted well to Nadur’s reaction.

23’ (1-0) Xewkija opened the score when Matthias Mercieca won the ball in the midfield and released Damir Andelovic on the right flank so that the latter delivered a cross and Rodney Buttigieg concluded in goal from close distance.

24’ (crossbar) Xewkija could have doubled the score but a lob from long distance by Damir Andelovic when Nadur’s keeper was out of his position ended on the crossbar.

45+2’ Xewkija were again dangerous through a shot from a good position by Damir Andelovic after receiving from Jhanlus Aron Hernandez Leal, that was deflected by a defender and ended inches away from goal.

HT (1-0)

Second Half

As expected, Nadur came out more determined in an attempt to recover the score but Xewkija continued to keep a strong defensive deployment that made it difficult to Nadur to create danger.

4’ (goal disallowed) Nadur’s Igor Nedeljkovic received the ball inside Xewkija’s area and concluded in the net but the goal was disallowed for an offside position.

12’ Nadur’s Gennaroi Hili delivered a cross from the midfield but the header by Predrag Dordevic was weak and easily saved by goalie Nikola Kosanin.

25’ (post) Nadur went very close to level the score but a header by Joseph Zammit following a free kick by Marcelo Barbosa hit the post with the goalkeeper beaten and from the resultant melee the strikers missed the opportunity to put the ball in goal so that Xewkija’s defence cleared the danger with some difficulty.

38’ Nadur were again dangerous from a similar set piece taken by the same Marcelo Barbosa but Igor Nedeljkovic’s header was cleared away in time by goalie Nikola Kosanin.

40’ (protests for penalty) Nadur’s Igor Nedeljkovic had a close ranged shot blocked to a corner by the defence and from the resultant corner action the attempt by Predrag Dordevic was also blocked by Xewkija’s defenders among protests by Nadur alleging handling.

45+1’ (red card) Nadur had their coach Mark Buttigieg who was sent off for protests following an offside waived against Nadur’s Predrag Dordevic who was alone in front of the goalkeeper.

FT (XT 1 – NY 0)

Referee: Darryl Agius