26 January 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 12) Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 0
Nadur Youngsters FC : 2
35’ (0-1) Matthias Mercieca
74’ (0-2) Gabriel Farrugia
Xaghra U:
L. Xuereb, L. Farrugia, J.A. Castano, S. Sultana (C. Camilleri 46), D. Andelovic, M. Mamo, D. Sowatey, F.J. Xuereb, S.F. Bajada (S. Galea 46), J. Vella (C. Galea 88), J.Y. Suzuki Bicudo.
Nadur Y:
S. Sultana, I. De Jesus De Santana, M. Gauci, M. Mercieca (J. Xerri 71), D.P. Dall’Oca, J. Zammit (S. Xuereb 90), B. Said, O.P. Bugeja, G. Farrugia, I. Xuereb, O.G. Fernandes.
Nadur Youngsters extended their good moment of form with a 2-0 win in their direct clash against one of the challengers for the title Xaghra United. Nadur’s win matured with a goal scored in each half and with the points obtained they moved to just two points from the leaders and with a game in hand.
The match between Nadur and Xaghra was the main match of the weekend as the two sides were aiming for a win to retain their hopes to win the main honour in Gozitan football. Nadur, who were playing without a main striker due to some problems to register a foreign striker, paved the way to the important with a determined display during the first half. Nadur showed more experience in playing important clashes of this kind as they came out for the second period with a prudent approach to protect the one-goal lead earned during the opening half and managed to seal the three points by scoring the second goal that practically put the score beyond the reach of their opponents.
In this match, Xaghra had a disappointing performance during the first half and compromised their chances of obtaining a positive result. Xaghra were too timid during the first period and was forced to push more players into attack after the break in an attempt to recover the deficit. Xaghra however found it difficult to create danger and were also erratic in their finishing so they did not seem in a position to recover the score. Xaghra also ended up leaving some gaps in their defence and suffered the second goal which practically determined the outcome of the encounter. With this result, Xaghra remained at the third spot on the table but retained their chances to reach the top positions if they obtained wins from their last two matches of the second round.
Timeline:
Nadur saw more of the ball during the first period and had more attempts towards goal than their opponents but only managed to score on one occasion so the outcome of the encounter remained uncertain. Xaghra came out with a defensive deployment and as a result, their striker was very often isolated and failed to create any danger to Nadur’s rearguard.
14’ Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb was called to make two consecutive saves to block a shot from outside the area by Diego Pires Dall’Oca and to turn to a corner the attempt from the rebound by Matthias Mercieca.
25’ Xaghra replied with a shot from long distance by Damir Andelovic but the ball ended away from the target.
28’ Nadur’s central defender De Jesus De Santana had a strike from outside the area that was blocked by Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb and the defence cleared the danger.
32’ The same Pires Dall’Oca went close to open the score but his curling shot from outside the area ended just wide.
35’ (0-1) Nadur took the lead when Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes delivered a cross from the right flank, Brandon Said prolonged towards the far post and Matthias Mercieca concluded from close distance with the ball ending in the net despite the attempt of the goalkeeper to save the danger.
45+2’ Nadur were again dangerous through a shot from a long distance by De Jesus De Santana but the ball ended over the crossbar.
HT (0-1)
Second Half
The match became much more entertaining after the break as Xaghra increased their efforts in an attempt to recover the deficit while Nadur protected their area and operated mainly with counter breaks. Nadur also managed to double their lead so that they were in an ideal position to administer play during the final stages of the encounter.
13’ Nadur could have created more danger when Matthias Mercieca had a cross that was cleared by the defence and from the same action Mercieca’s attempt from an angled position ended on the side of the net.
15’ Xaghra had their first serious attempt towards Nadur’s goal through a shot by Lucas Farrugia but goalie Steve Sultana was well placed and neutralised the danger in two attempts.
19’ Nadur replied with an initiative by Joseph Zammit but the striker hit badly in his final touch and his attempt ended away from goal.
20’ Xaghra were again dangerous when Suzuki Bicudo passed inside Nadur’s area but his low shot was blocked by goalie Steve Sultana.
29’ (0-2) Nadur doubled their lead when Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes passed inside Xaghra’s area from the right flank, his low shot was cleared badly by the defence and Gabriel Farrugia fired in goal with a shot on the run from outside the area.
37’ Xaghra had an opportunity to reduce the deficit but an attempt at a good position by Johan Alberto Castano but the ball ended away from the goal.
38’ Xaghra once again could have created more danger but a low shot by Damir Andelovic was weak and goalie Steve Sultana saved without difficulty.
45’ (goal disallowed) Xaghra’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb made a difficult intervention to block an effort by Pires Dall’Oca following a counter break and from the rebound substitute Joseph Xerri placed into an empty net but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.
45+2’ Xaghra could have re-opened the issue for stoppage time but a header from close distance by Suzuki Bicudo, following a cross by Damir Andelovic was neutralised by Nadur’s goalkeeper.
45+3’ Xaghra were again dangerous through an attempt by Chris Camilleri got a deflection by the defence and the ball ended in a corner.
45+4’ From the same corner action Nadur’s defence cleared badly and the ball arrived to an unmarked Daniel Sowatey but the latter concluded incredibly high from close distance.
FT (XU 0 – NY 2)
Referee: Philip Farrugia
Asst. Referees: Mark Ciantar, Slawomir Olucha
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