5 October 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 4) Gozo Stadium
Nadur Youngsters FC: 1
Qala Saints FC : 0
52’ (red card) Nathan Chukwudi Njoku (QS)
73’ (red card) Joseph Xerri (NY)
90+4’ (1-0) penalty Diego Fernando Rodriguez Angulo
Nadur Y:
Zak Vella, P.P. Camilleri, M. Scarpari, D.F. Rodriguez Angulo, J. Xerri, B. Said, O.P. Bugeja, N. Mifsud, D. Vella, V.H. Araujo Vieira (Vitinho), J.P. Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho).
Qala S:
O. Attard, Joseph. Buttigieg, J.A. Ferreira Dos Santos (Sergipe) (M. Buttigieg 46), L.B. Da Silva (Barreto), M. Camilleri, A.G. Castro Martins, J. Zammit, J. Pace (G. Cardona 82), E. Buttigieg, N.C. Njoku, I. Mohammed.
In the main match from the fourth day of the BOV Gozo Football League First Division, Nadur Youngsters clinched a dramatic 1–0 victory over Qala Saints, thanks to a penalty scored just seconds before the end of added time.
This result gave Nadur their first win of the campaign, allowing them to move above Qala in the standings. This was an important encounter for both teams, as they had experienced disappointing starts to the season.
For much of the match, Qala Saints enjoyed territorial superiority but struggled to create real scoring opportunities against a disciplined Nadur defence. Nadur, on the other hand, were patient and well-organised at the back, relying on counter-attacks to threaten their opponents. Their persistence paid off in the final moments, when they were awarded a penalty that decided the game, leaving Qala with no time to respond. The second half was marked by tension and nerves. Both sides had a player sent off in separate incidents, and the referee also dismissed Qala’s president and a member of Nadur’s technical staff following an altercation near the touchline.
Photo: Anthony Cassar
Timeline
First Half:
Qala started on the front foot and kept Nadur under pressure for most of the opening half. However, despite their dominance, Qala’s forwards were wasteful in front of goal, and the score remained goalless.
5’ Qala could have made better use of a corner from Joseph Zammit, but Andre Martins’ header went wide.
7’ (Penalty appeal) – Qala appealed for a penalty when Joseph Zammit went down inside the box while attempting a solo run, but the referee waved play on.
34’ Nadur threatened for the first time on a counter-attack, but Diego Rodriguez’s shot went off target.
35’ Qala responded immediately, with another Andre Martins header from a Zammit corner going over the bar.
45+3’ Nadur goalkeeper Zak Vella made a fine save to tip a dangerous shot by Mohammed over the bar.
HT (0-0)
Second Half:
The pattern of the match remained largely the same after the break, though tension increased as both teams grew more aggressive in their challenges. The referee had to send off a player from each side in separate incidents, and the match looked destined for a draw — until the dramatic finish.
52’ (red card) Qala were reduced to ten men when N. Njoku was shown a straight red card for dissent toward the referee.
64’ Nadur came close to scoring when Pedrinho delivered a cross that found Diego Rodriguez, but his close-range header went wide.
73’ (red card) Nadur also went down to ten men when Joseph Xerri was sent off for a reckless challenge on Mohammed near midfield.
90+2’ (1–0, Penalty) Nadur secured all three points in dramatic fashion. They were awarded a penalty after Bareto handled the ball while attempting to clear a cross from Owen Peter Bugeja. Diego Rodriguez kept his composure and converted from the spot to seal a crucial win for the Youngsters.
FT (NY 1 – QS 0)
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Asst. Referees: Slawomir Olucha, Wayne Spiteri
Photo: Anthony Cassar
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