MFA Boost Diesel FA Trophy: Prel. Rd.
Gozo Stadium
Nadur Y : 4 (B. Said 18’, 49’; S. Cassar 23’, 48’)
M. Muscat, S.H. Muller, M. Zerafa (P. Muscat), Sa. Attard, M. Markovic, C. Hili (P.P. Camilleri), S. Cassar, Sh. Attard, D. Farrugia, J. Grima (G. Muscat), B. Said.
Xaghra U : 1 (J. Bajada 40’)
F. Azzopardi, S. Sultana, D. Bajada, J. Xerri, A. Xiberras, S. Galea, O. Pogukay (S. Bonello), N. Theuma (P.J. Mifsud), M. Grima (L. Attard), G. Farrugia, J. Bajada.
In the first match from the preliminary round of the MFA Boost Diesel FA Trophy, Nadur Youngsters obtained an easy win over Xaghra United in a clash between two Gozitan sides. Nadur, who are aiming to be challengers for the main honours in Gozitan football this season, dominated over Xaghra United who will be playing this season in the lower category of Gozitan football. Nadur also had some of their new signings in their starting line-up who had a positive performance. Nadur’s win matured with two goals scored in each half by Brandon Said and Stefan Cassar. With this result Nadur will meet Victoria Hotspurs in the match of the first round of the competition, which will also be a clash between two sides from the Gozitan championship.
Nadur’s first scoring opportunity arrived on 10 minutes but a strike by Marko Markovic was well saved by Xaghra’s goalie Frankie Azzopardi. One minute later a free kick by the same Markovic was stopped by the crossbar but on 18 minutes Nadur broke the deadlock when a cross by Stefan Cassar arrived to an unmarked Brandon Said who concluded easily in goal from an angled position. On 23 minutes Nadur doubled the score through Stefan Cassar who took the ball from a wrong clearance by Xaghra’s defence and placed in goal with a low shot. In the following minutes Nadur continued to be dangerous and went close to scoring on more than one occasion through efforts by Shaun Attard and Brandon Said. On 40 minutes Xaghra surprised their opponents when Johann Bajada produced a counter break and took advantage of a moment when Nadur’s rear guard was unprotected, entered the area, turned around a direct opponent and concluded in goal despite the attempt of goalie Matthew Muscat to neutralise the shot. Seconds before half time Xaghra’s goalie Frankie Azzopardi kept his side in contention with a fine intervention to turn to a corner a curling shot by Marko Markovic.
After the resumption the Youngsters regained full control of play and made sure of the qualification with two goals scored in the space of pone minute. On 48 minutes Shaun Attard released Stefan Cassar inside Xaghra’s area and the latter concluded from an angled position with a shot towards the far post. One minute later Brandon Said scored the fourth goal with a fine header following a cross form the right flank by Michael Zerafa. In the following minutes Nadur could have scored more goals but a good effort by Shaun Attard was well saved by goalie Frankie Azzoaprdi, and in other occasions efforts by Stefan Cassar ended just wide. On 69 minutes a shot by Marko Markovic also ended just wide and three minutes later Xaghra’s goalie Frankie Azzopardi deflected on the post a strike by Shaun Attard. On 70 minutes Nadur were again unlucky when a shot form long distance by Daniel Farrugia was stopped by the post with the goalkeeper beaten. On 86 minutes Xaghra’s goalie denied Nadur from scoring the fifth goal with a good save following a shot from close distance by Brandon Said so that the score remained unchanged.
Referee: Andrea Naudi
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