11 February 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 13) Gozo Stadium
Xewkija Tigers FC : 6
Nadur Youngsters FC : 3
6’ (1-0) Mathias Said
39’ (2-0) Marcelo Junior Barbosa
40’ (3-0) Matthias Said
44’ (3-1) John Kofi Mensah
61’ (4-1) Joseph Mario Vella
78’ (4-2) Diego Fernando Rodriguez Angulo
80’ (5-2) Brian Alejandro Parada
82’ (5-3) Diego Fernando Rodriguez Angulo
83’ (6-3) Marcelo Junior Barbosa
Xewkija T:
A. Parnis, I. Xuereb, J.M. Vella, D. Bugeja (J. Buttigieg 76), M.J. Barbosa (K. Mercieca 84), M. Said (J. Farrugia 64), S. Cassar (M. Bonnici 76), G. Hili (J. Vella 84), A.M. Bustos, B.A. Parada, B. Armando Melo Dos Santos.
Nadur Y:
Z. Vella, P.P. Camilleri (S. Xuereb 46), K. Xuereb, M. Scarpari, D.F. Rodriguez Angulo, J. Xerri (L. Haber 79), O.P. Bugeja, K. Hili, N. Mifsud, D, R.S. Favero, J.K. Mensah.
Xewkija Tigers secured a 6-3 victory over Nadur Youngsters to maintain the pressure on their fellow championship challengers. It was a deserved win for Xewkija, who scored three goals in each half. Nadur attempted to mount a response, but Xewkija consistently restored a comfortable advantage, and the Youngsters never truly looked capable of overturning the deficit.
Despite Xewkija’s superiority, the match was characterised by defensive errors from both sides, which were capitalised upon by the attacking players, resulting in a high-scoring encounter.
Timeline
First Half:
Xewkija came out very aggressively and dominated much of the first half. They scored an early goal and extended their lead with two goals in the space of a minute towards the end of the half, making it extremely difficult for Nadur to recover.
5’ Nadur goalkeeper Zak Vella was alert to save a good attempt by Marcelo Barbosa.
6’ (1-0) Xewkija opened the scoring through Matthias Said, who surprised the goalkeeper with a low shot after an individual move.
10’ Nadur responded with a shot by Diego Rodriguez, but it missed the target.
23’ (Post) Nadur were dangerous when a shot by Joseph Xerri, following a short defensive clearance, struck the upright.
24’ Xewkija goalkeeper Adrian Parnis was called into action to turn a good effort by Owen Peter Bugeja into a corner.
33’ Xewkija replied with a shot by Marcelo Barbosa, but the ball went wide.
37’ (Penalty appeals) Nadur appealed for a penalty when Xewkija’s defence halted an attacking move by Diego Rodriguez.
38’ Nadur’s goalkeeper produced two good saves from cross-shot attempts by Brian Parada.
39’ (2-0) Xewkija doubled their lead when Nadur’s goalkeeper failed to intercept a long cross by Joseph Mario Vella, allowing Marcelo Barbosa to score into an empty net.
40’ (3-0) Xewkija added another goal when Matthias Said combined with Joseph Mario Vella and finished with a low shot past the goalkeeper.
44’ (3-1) Nadur reduced the deficit when Diego Rodriguez advanced down the right and rounded the goalkeeper, but his shot was cleared off the line by Ian Xuereb. John Mensah followed up to head into the net.
45+1’ Xewkija could have added another goal, but a header by Brian Parada from a free-kick went wide.
HT (3-1)
Second Half:
In the second half, Xewkija appeared slightly overconfident, while Nadur persisted in their attempt to get back into the game. Several more goals followed, although Xewkija never seemed in danger of dropping points.
61’ (4-1) Xewkija restored their three-goal advantage when Joseph Mario Vella surprised the goalkeeper with a long-range strike.
78’ (4-2) Nadur reduced the gap again through a shot from outside the area by Diego Rodriguez that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
80’ (5-2) Xewkija responded immediately with their fifth goal when Brian Parada entered the area, rounded the goalkeeper and finished easily with a low shot.
82’ (5-3) Nadur scored their third goal when Diego Rodriguez capitalised on defensive hesitation and found the net with the goalkeeper out of position.
83’ (6-3) Xewkija sealed the victory by restoring their three-goal lead once more. After a defensive clearance, Marcelo Barbosa struck a shot that deflected off a defender and ended up in the net.
FT (XT 6 – NY 3)
Referee: Ranald Portelli
Asst. Referees: Wayne Spiteri, Raymond Tabone
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