October 2023
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 5) Gozo Stadium
Nadur Youngsters FC : 2
Xaghra United FC : 4
6’ (1-0) Marcelo Jr Barbosa
47’ (2-0) Marcelo Jr Barbosa
67’ (2-1) Joel Xuereb
69’ (2-2) Joel Xuereb
79’ (2-3) Savio Galea
45+2’ (2-4) Daniel Mesa Pineros
Nadur Y:
S. Sultana, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos, I. Xuereb, M. Pereira Muniz, J. Zammit, M.J. Barbosa, S.
Cassar, M. Said (J.M. Vella 66), G. Hili (M. Tabone 80), K. Grima, J.V. De Oliveira Florencio.
Xaghra U:
L. Xuereb, S. Galea, L. Almeida Da Silva, C. Gauci (D. Azzopardi 62), M. Bezzina (C. Camilleri
72), M. Mamo (M. Cordina 62), D. Mesa Pineros, F.J. Xuereb (J. Xuereb 62), C.A. Diaz Arias,
M.P. Camilleri (J. Bajada 75), L. Garcia Panesso.
Xaghra United registered the biggest surprise of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first
division this season by obtaining a 4-2 win over champions Nadur Youngsters. Xaghra, who
were still without a win prior to his encounter, came from behind and recovered a deficit of two
goals to register the win by scoring four goals without a reply in the last half hour of play.
Nadur were favourites to return to winning ways after dropping precious points in their previous
match. Nadur had an encouraging start by scoring an early goal and resisted to Xaghra’s
reaction throughout the first period. The Youngsters seemed heading towards a win as they
doubled their lead in the opening minutes of the second period. For some time Xaghra seemed
demoralised and Nadur were in full control of play. However, after the hour mark Xaghra’s
coach Shaun Attard made three substitutions which turned out to be a decisive turning point in
the match. During this part of the match, Xaghra took full advantage of some overconfidence by
their opponents and staged an impressive reaction which determined the final score of the
encounter. This result puts Nadur Youngsters under pressure to retain their status as favourites
to retain the title as it was the second consecutive match where they failed to obtain a win and
ended up in third place on the table. On the other hand, with the points obtained Xaghra
moved away from the bottom of the table and gained confidence that they could be more
competitive and that they may keep away from the red zone.
Timeline:
Play for most of the first half turned out to be more interesting than expected as the two sides
produced offensive play and some good actions on the respective goal.
4’ Xaghra went very close to scoring an early goal when Michael Bezzina unmarked Daniel Mesa
Pineros inside Nadur’s area but the latter saw his attempt from a close distance that was saved in
two attempts by Nadur’s goalie Steve Sultana.
6’ (1-0) Nadur punished their opponents for the missed chance and took the lead through a free
kick from a long distance by Marcelo Jr Barbosa that ended in the lower corner of Xaghra’s
goal.
11’ Xaghra were not demoralised and were dangerous through a header by Leandro Almeida
Da Silva, following a free kick by Camilo Andres Diaz Arias that ended just over Nadur’s goal.
12’ Nadur replied with a prolonged action inside Xaghra’s area but the final shot by Stefan
Cassar ended away from the goal.
22’ The Youngsters missed another good opportunity to add a second goal when Kurt Grima
released Stefan Cassar inside Xaghra’s area but the latter concluded badly from an ideal
position.
23’ Xaghra replied with an attempt from close distance by Leiner Garcia Panesso but the ball
ended away from Nadur’s goal.
31’ Xaghra were again dangerous when Camilo Andres Diaz Arias delivered the ball inside
Nadur’s area from a corner kick but Leandro Almeida Da Silva’s header ended just wide.
35’ (goal disallowed) Nadur almost doubled their lead when a cross by Marcelo Barbosa arrived
to Junior Adenilson Ferreira Dos Santos who guided the ball into the net but the goal was
disallowed for an offside infringement.
36’ Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb was forced to make an important recovery to save in two
attempts a lob from a long distance by Marcelo Jr Barbosa when Xaghra’s goal was unattended.
HT (1-0)
Second Half
Nadur had an excellent start in the second period as they managed to increase their lead at an
early stage so that Xaghra were demoralised and the Youngsters seemed heading towards an
easy win. However, Xaghra did not throw the towel and during the first pat of the encounter, they
surprised their more quoted opponents by scoring four goals to turn the result in their favour.
2’ (2-0) Nadur added another goal when Gennaro Hili released Marcelo Jr Barbosa inside
Xaghra’s territory and the Brazilian striker entered alone inside the area and netted with a low
drive.
13’ Xaghra produced a good action through Camilo Andres Diaz Arias but his low shot was
neutralised by Nadur’s goalie Steve Sultana.
15’ Nadur could have created more danger but an attempt by Stefan Cassar following a corner
the action was well saved by goalie Lorjean Xuereb.
20’ (protests for penalty) Xaghra protested for a penalty, alleging handling when a cross inside
Nadur’s area by Michael Bezzina was blocked by the defence.
21’ (2-1) Xaghra re-opened the issue when Michael Bezzina delivered a low cross inside
Nadur’s area and substitute Joel Xuereb fired in goal with a low shot.
24’ (2-2) Xaghra kept insisting and levelled the score when they won a corner kick following an
initiative by Daniel Mesa Pineros, and from the corner kick by Camilo Andres Diaz Arias, Joel
Xuereb arrived on the ball and netted from a close distance.
34’ Nadur continued to suffer Xaghra’s breaks and the latter put their heads in front for the first
time through a header from close distance by Savio Galea following a free kick by substitute
Chris Camilleri.
40’ Nadur had their best opportunity to recover the deficit when substitute Joseph Mario Vella
received the ball inside Xaghra’s area but his attempt from a good position was well saved by
goalie Lorjean Xuereb.
45+2’ (2-4) Xaghra made sure of the win with a fourth goal as a strike by Chris Camilleri was
partially saved by goalie Steve Sultana and Daniel Mesa Pineros took the rebound and netted
from a close distance.
FT (NY 2 – XU 4)
Referee: Alex Johnson
Assistant Referees: Robert Curtis, Carmel Vassallo
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