24 March 2024
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 18) Gozo Stadium
Oratory Youths FC : 0
Nadur Youngsters FC : 2
31’ (0-1) Marcelo Jr Barbosa
39’ (0-2) Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio
Oratory Y:
A. Brignoli, A. Sultana, P. Rapa, K. Saliba, K. Farrugia, J. Buttigieg, O. Curmi, R.C. Prudente, R. Saliba, H. Muscat, R. Almeida Lopes.
Nadur Y:
S. Sultana, M. Tabone, I. Xuereb, M. Pereira Muniz, J.M. Vella, J. Zammit (G. Muscat 87), M. Barbosa, G. Hili, K. Grima, B. Said (M. Said 57), J.V. De Oliveira Florencio.
Nadur Youngsters defended their position at the top of the table with the points obtained from a 2-0 win over bottom-placed Oratory Youths. Nadur as expected held territorial supremacy for long stretches and they paved the way to the win with two goals scored during the first period. Oratory found it very difficult to produce a reaction and they never gave the impression that they could recover the deficit.
For this match, the two sides had some of their regular players missing due to suspensions and injuries. Nadur started the match without central defender Junior Andenilson Ferreira Dos Santos and midfielder Stefan Cassar, while the Youths played without defender Andre Azzopardi and midfielder Leonardo Bruno Coca. With this result, Nadur remains in contention to retain the title for another season, while Oratory missed another opportunity to reduce their gap from the teams above them on the table to keep their hopes of retaining their first division status alive.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline:
Nadur took command of play from the first minutes but during the first half hour they were very erratic and the score remained at a deadlock. However, Nadur was relieved from their pressure as soon as they opened the score so they became more confident and doubled their lead with a second goal scored before halftime.
8’ Nadur had their first attempt towards Oratory’s goal through a shot by Marcelo Barbosa but the ball ended high.
10’ The Youngsters could have capitalised better when Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio delivered an inviting cross inside the area but the header by Brandon Said ended wide.
12’ Nadur’s Marcelo Barbosa continued to be a continuous threat to Oratory’s defence and his low shot from outside the area ended just wide.
23’ (crossbar) Nadur went again close to take the lead but a header by Marcelo Barbosa following a cross by Joseph Zammit was stopped by the post.
25’ The same Joseph Zammit delivered an inviting pass to Joo Votor De Oliveira Florencio inside the Oratory’s area but the latter saw his attempt that ended wide.
29’ Nadur were again dangerous through a shot by Joseph Zammit but the ball ended over the crossbar.
31’ (0-1) Nadur took the deserved lead when Gennaro Hili passed inside Oratory’s area to Marcelo Jr Barbosa and the Brazilian striker netted with a close-ranged shot towards the corner.
33’ Oratory’s goalie Angelo Brignoli was well placed and saved an attempt from a free kick by Marcelo Barbosa.
35’ Nadur missed a golden scoring opportunity when Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio passed to Marcelo Barbosa, who released himself from his direct opponent, but his close ranged shot was blocked by goalie Angelo Brignoli.
39’ (0-2) Nadur increased their lead when Marcelo Pereira Muniz delivered a low cross from the right flank, Marcelo Barbosa left the ball to reach Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio who fired in goal from an ideal position.
HT (0-2)
Second Half
After the resumption, Nadur reduced their momentum and administered their two-goal lead without insisting much to increase the score so serious scoring opportunities were rare.
8’ Nadur could have created more danger but a shot by Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio from a good position ended away from goal.
27’ Oratory’s goalie Angelo Brignoli was called to make a difficult save to block a strike by Nadur’s Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio following a personal action.
28’ (goal disallowed) Nadur’s Marcelo Barbosa concluded in the net a prolonged action inside Oratory’s area but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.
FT (OY 0 – NY 2)
Referee: Ezekiel Barbara
Asst. Referees: Kurt Saliba, Raiden Psaila
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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