Nadur, Xewkija share the spoils

13 September 2024

GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 2) Gozo Stadium

Nadur Youngsters FC : 0

Xewkija Tigers FC : 0

87’ (penalty missed – saved) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins (NY)

Nadur Y:

S. Sultana, I. De Jesus De Santana, G. Muscat, D. Pires Dall’Oca, A.G. Castro Martins, J. Zammit (S. Xuereb 90+2), J. Xerri, B. Said (J. Xerri 83), O.P. Bugeja, G. Farrugia, I. Xuereb, M.P. Camilleri.

Xewkija T:

N. Kosanin, Josh. Buttigieg (M. Mercieca 46), R. Buttigieg, G. Hili, S. Cassar, C.D. Frances, D. Bugeja, K. Mercieca, B.A. Parada, C. Abela, E. De Sousa Santos..

Nadur Youngsters and Xewkija Tigers earned a point each from a goalless draw and with this result, Nadur earned their first point in the championship while Xewkija remained undefeated from two matches but dropped two points from the leaders.

The match between Nadur and Xewkija, from Match-Day 2 of the BOV Gozo Football League of the first division, pulled a sizable crowd to the Gozo Stadium, not only because it is one of the most attractive clashes in Gozitan football, but also because the two sides needed a win for different ambitions.  Xewkija were coming from a convincing win in their opening match of the campaign and therefore needed to consolidate their ambitions to remain at the top of the table despite the early stage of the season, whole Nadur Youngsters were coming from two consecutive defeats and needed points to be in a position to defend the title.

For this match, Nadur introduced their third foreigner and seemed motivated to be serious challengers for the win, but Xewkija managed to resist Nadur’s early pressure without conceding serious opportunities and as time passed by they came out of their defence and the match became more contested in the midfield.

For most of the time, the two defensive departments were the main protagonists of the encounter as the respective strikers found it extremely difficult to create danger.  During the final stages, however, the two sides became much more exposed and in the end, the win could have gone either way as Xewkija had a late attempt that was stopped by the woodwork, while Nadur missed a golden opportunity to clinch the full points at stake as they missed a penalty kick that was awarded a few minutes away from the end of regular time.  Overall, the final score may be considered as a just result that rewards the efforts of the two sides throughout the encounter.

Photo: Anthony Cassar

Timeline:

Nadur were more aggressive during the opening minutes but they found it difficult to conclude their play with attempts towards Xewkija’s goal so Xewkija came out of the defence during the second part of the first half and the match became much more interesting with very few serious scoring opportunities.

7’ Nadur created a potential scoring opportunity when Joseph Zammit delivered a cross from the right flank towards the goalmouth, Xewkija’s defence seemed in difficulty due to the presence of Andre Gabriel Castro Martins but central defender Eduardo De Sousa Santos recovered and cleared the danger to a corner.

9’ Xewkija replied with a fine shot by Claudio Daniel Frances following a short clearance by Nadur’s defence that ended just wide.

21’ Xewkija could have created more danger when Nadur’s defence failed to clear the ball from their area following a cross from the right and the ball arrived to Gennaro Hili who saw his low shot that was blocked to a corner by Xewkija’s rearguard.

HT (0-0)

Second Half

The match continued to be fought in the midfield after the break, although Xewkija seemed more adventurous and kept more pressure on Nadur’s territory.  However, the two defensive departments were both well organised and the strikers and most of the time the goal attempts were quite rare.  The two sides increased their efforts during the final stages and the last minutes of play became the most exciting of the encounter.

7’ Xewkija went very close to opening the score but a header by Brian Alejandro Parada following a free kick by Claudio Daniel Frances ended wide.

18’ The Tigers threatened Nadur’s defence through a cross-shot from the right flank by substitute Matthias Mercieca but the ball missed the target.

19’  Nadur had their best attempt towards Xewkija’s goal that arrived through a fine shot from a good position by Diego Pires Dall’Oca that was well blocked by goalie Nikola Kosanin.

27’ Nadur were again dangerous but a good shot from the edge of the area by Andre Gabriel Castro Martins was blocked by Xewkija’s defence.

36’ (crossbar) Xewkija could have opened the score when Claudio Daniel Frances delivered the ball towards the danger zone but a header by Brian Alejandro Parada hit the crossbar.

42’ (penalty missed – saved) Nadur were awarded a penalty for handling by Carlos Abela following a cross from the right but Xewkija’s goalie Nikola Kosanin saved the shot from the penalty spot by Andre Gabriel Castro Martins.

45’ Xewkija almost punished their opponents for the missed chance when Matthias Mercieca released Brian Alejandro Parada but the latter saw his low shot that ended wide.

FT (NY 0 – XT 0)

Referee: Alex Johnson

Asst. Referees: Robert Curtis, Paul Apap

Photo: Anthony Cassar