20 February 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 14) Gozo Stadium
Nadur Youngsters FC : 1
Xaghra United FC : 1
18’ (1-0) Neil Mifsud
49’ (1-1) Ibrahim Salis
Nadur Y:
Z. Vella, L.B. Da Silva, K. Xuereb, M. Scarpari, D.F. Rodriguez Angulo, J. Xerri, O.P. Bugeja, K. Hili (S. Xuereb 70), N. Mifsud, D. Vella (L. Buttigieg 59), R.S. Favero.
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit, J. Bajada (J. Vella 88), S. Galea, I. De Jesus De Santana (Jacare’), L. Farrugia, J.P. Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho), H. Paulin, M. Mamo, F.J. Xuereb, J.C. Marini (Claudir), I. Salis.
Nadur Youngsters and Xaghra United both earned a point each from a 1-1 draw, allowing both teams to finish the second round with a positive result after a series of disappointing outcomes. However, this result did not satisfy either side, as Nadur and Xaghra both remain at the bottom of the table with the same number of points.
This direct clash from the relegation zone unfolded as a hard-fought battle, with each team showcasing their best play during their respective halves. Nonetheless, throughout the match, both Nadur and Xaghra confirmed their limitations in attack, as neither side managed to capitalise on their opportunities in front of goal for a win that could have been crucial. Thus, the final result was a fair draw, likely leaving the relegation fight open until the end of the league.
Timeline
First Half:
Nadur appeared more adventurous during the first half, creating more scoring opportunities, while Xaghra seemed confused and, aside from some defensive errors, was also weak in attack.
17’ Nadur had their first serious attempt on goal through Owen Peter Bugeja, who entered the box but his low shot was saved by goalkeeper Mattia Zammit.
18’ Xaghra replied with a central shot from Harry Paulin that was easily saved by Nadur goalkeeper Zak Vella.
18’ (1-0) Nadur opened the score when Joseph Xerri sent a low pass into the box, and Neil Mifsud managed to take possession and finish with a shot to the corner.
27’ Nadur could have capitalised further when Diego Rodriguez won the ball from Pedrinho, advanced, but opted for a shot instead of passing to his unmarked teammates, allowing the defence to block and the goalkeeper to save the danger.
30’ Another Nadur move saw Diego Rodriguez head wide following a cross from the left.
33’ Nadur’s goalkeeper was alert to neutralise a shot from Lucas Farrugia without difficulty.
45+2’ (penalty protests) Xaghra protested for a penalty when Ibrahim Salis ended up on the ground trying to enter the box. In the following play, Nadur had a chance to create more danger, but a good attempt from Murili Scarpari went wide.
HT (1-0)
Second Half:
Xaghra came out determined for the second half and dominated the early minutes, earning the draw and even having chances to turn the result in their favour. Nadur recovered as time passed, making the game more lively, and the win could have gone either way.
1’ Xaghra came close to scoring the equaliser after just 23 seconds of play, but a good shot by Harry Paulin was pushed out for a corner by Nadur goalkeeper Zak Vella.
3’ (post) Nadur risked an own goal when Murilo Scarpari poorly headed while attempting to clear Pedrinho’s corner, but the ball struck the post and the defence cleared the danger.
4’ Another Xaghra attack saw Lucas Farrugia head wide from a good position following a cross from the left.
4’ (1-1) Xaghra achieved the equaliser when Junior Claudir delivered a cross from the left, and Ibrahim Salis managed to send the ball into the net.
9’ Nadur goalkeeper Zak Vella denied Xaghra the lead by saving a shot from outside the box by Pedrinho.
21’ Xaghra launched a counterattack through Pedrinho, who advanced and played centrally to Harry Paulin, but the striker’s low shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, and from the rebound, Lucas Farrugia headed poorly, and the ball went wide.
33’ Nadur’s goalkeeper Zak Vella was again called into action to save a header from Savio Galea after Pedrinho’s corner.
44’ Xaghra were once again close to scoring, but substitute Jack Vella’s shot was saved by Nadur’s goalkeeper.
45+3’ The same goalkeeper, Zak Vella, preserved the result for Nadur when he tipped a good shot from Ibrahim Salis out for a corner.
FT (NY 1 – XU 1)
Referee: Andrea Naudi
Asst. Referees: Robert Curtis, Kieran Mallia
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