Nadur open the second round with an important win

13 December 2024

GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 8) Gozo Stadium

Nadur Youngsters  FC : 2

Ghajnsielem FC : 1

48’ (1-0) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins

51’ (1-1) Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo

62’ (2-1) Andre Gabriel Castro Martins

Nadur Y:

S. Sultana, I. De Jesus De Santana, M. Mercieca (J. Xerri 73), D. Pires Dall’Oca, A.G. Castro Martins, J. Zammit, G. Farrugia (S. Xuereb 90+2), I. Xuereb, D. Vella (O.P. Bugeja 73), G. Muscat (M. Gauci 90+2), O.G. Fernandes.

Ghajnsielem:

L. Buttigieg, H. Muscat (M.A. Scicluna 73), Al. Xuereb, D.D. Torres Quinones, M.V. Claudino Ramos (Choco), D. Attard (K. Bajada 73), H.H. Goncalves Barbosa, J. Tabone, M. Camilleri (D. Hili 73), J.O. Ezigbo, N.I. Belhadj.

In the first match of the second BOV Gozo Football League First Division round, Nadur Youngsters secured three crucial points with a 2-1 victory over Ghajnsielem. This result avenged their previous defeat against the same opponents in the season’s opening game and helped them climb further up the league standings.

The match was highly competitive, with the outcome remaining uncertain until the final moments. Both teams had promising spells, but Nadur was more precise in front of goal, converting key scoring opportunities. The game was ultimately decided by three goals scored during the early stages of the second half, with Nadur’s forward Andre Gabriel Castro Martins standing out by netting both decisive goals.

Timeline:

The first half was evenly contested, but the striker and the score remained unchanged at halftime.

2’ Ghajnsielem created the first scoring chance, but Goncalves Barbosa’s attempt was blocked by Nadur’s goalkeeper Steve Sultana.

5’ Nadur responded with a shot from outside the box by Dall’Oca, but it went wide.

11’ Nadur threatened again with a strike from Matthias Mercieca that was saved to a corner by Ghajnsielem’s goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg.

12’ In the subsequent action, Goncalves Barbosa’s shot for Ghajnsielem missed the target.

15’ Nadur came close when Gianluca Muscat set up Matthias Mercieca, but Mercieca’s hesitation allowed the defence to recover and clear the danger.

16’ Another Nadur chance saw a header from Castro Martins easily saved by the goalkeeper.

19’ Nadur wasted another opportunity when Joseph Zammit missed from a tight angle.

30’ (protests for penalty) Ghajnsielem appealed for a penalty after Torres Quinones’ header was blocked near the edge of the box.

45’ Nadur’s Dall’Oca took a dangerous free kick, but his shot failed to break the deadlock.

HT (0-0)

Second Half:

Nadur came out more aggressive after the break, while Ghajnsielem remained determined despite falling behind twice.

1’ Nadur nearly opened the scoring when Castro Martins’ header was cleared off the line by James Tabone.

3’ (1-0) Nadur took the lead through a header by Andre Gabriel Castro Martins from a Gianluca Muscat cross.

6’ (1-1) Ghajnsielem equalized with a stunning angled shot from Joseph Onyeka Ezigbo that caught the goalkeeper off guard.

11’ Ghajnsielem’s Naim Ibrahim Belhadj came close, but his low shot missed the target.

17’ (2-1) Nadur regained the lead when Castro Martins anticipated the defence and scored with a low shot after a cross from Gianluca Muscat.

18’ Nadur nearly extended their lead, but Joseph Zammit’s shot was saved for a corner by goalie Luke Buttigieg.

21’ Ghajnsielem intensified their efforts, with Claudino Ranos narrowly missing from a promising position.

23’ Another shot from Belhadj failed to hit the target.

29’ Ghajnsielem squandered a great chance when Onyeka Ezigbo opted to pass instead of shooting, allowing Nadur’s defence to clear.

30’ From the resulting corner by Claudino Ranos, Torres Quinones’ header went over the crossbar.

32’ Nadur came close to sealing the win with a header from Castro Martins that went over.

33’ Ghajnsielem’s Onyeka Ezigbo had a shot blocked by Nadur goalkeeper Steve Sultana.

38’ Nadur’s substitute Joseph Xerri narrowly missed with a low shot.

39’ Nadur had one last chance when Xerri passed to Joseph Zammit in the box, but Zammit misfired from a promising position.

FT (NY 2 – GHJ 1)

Referee: Andrea Naudi

Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Gerald William Zammit Young

Photo: Anthony Cassar