10 October 2025
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 5) Gozo Stadium
Kercem Ajax FC: 2
Nadur Youngsters FC: 1
12’ (red card) Luciano Nahuel Gutierrez (NY)
13’ (1-0) penalty Natal Cidcley Saveriano (Nenem)
30’ (2-0) Isias Moura Vera Cruz De Souza
79’ (2-1) Diego Fernando Rodriguez Angulo
Kercem A:
D. Spiteri, D. Cassar, M. Fernandes De Souza Lima, D. Bogdanovic, J. Theuma, N.C. Severiano (Nenem), J.M. Dos Santos Leite, A. Xuereb (A. Mizzi , G. Farrugia, L. Atzori, S. Azzopardi (J. Theuma 22), I. Moura Vera Cruz De Souza.
Nadur Y:
Zak Vella, P.P. Camilleri, M. Scarpari, D.F. Rodriguez Angulo, L. Buttigieg, B. Said, O.P. Bugeja, N. Mifsud, D. Vella, L.N. Gutierrez, J.P. Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho).
Kercem Ajax earned a 2–1 victory over Nadur Youngsters to remain unbeaten and keep pace with the leading teams in the Gozo Football League First Division.
This was a tricky encounter for Kercem, as Nadur came into the match fresh from an important win over the reigning champions, and many expected them to be tough opponents for the title challengers. However, Kercem were disciplined throughout, and after a cautious start, they took control of the match, opening the scoring from a penalty, which also saw Nadur reduced to ten men, and doubling their lead before halftime. Despite a strong first half, Kercem struggled to maintain their dominance after the break and risked compromising their win in the final stages.
Nadur failed to replicate the strong performance they showed the previous week. They were unsettled by Kercem’s fast-paced play and looked demoralised after being forced to play almost the entire match with ten men. Still, they showed determination in the second half and came close to recovering from two goals down. With this result, Nadur missed the opportunity to strengthen their position over the teams below them in the standings.
Timeline
First Half:
Kercem started much better than their opponents and took advantage of the extra player to dominate the half, securing a comfortable two-goal lead.
8’ Kercem went close through a shot by Matheus Leite, which was saved by goalkeeper Zak Vella, before the defence cleared the danger.
12’ (Red Card / 1–0 Penalty) Kercem were awarded a penalty and gained a numerical advantage when Nadur’s defender Gutierrez was sent off for handling the ball on the line after Vella had failed to hold onto a cross from Isaias Cruz. The referee ordered a penalty and showed Gutierrez a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Nenem made no mistake from the spot to put Kerċem ahead.
16’ Kercem could have done better when Nenem and Isaias Cruz exchanged passes in the box, but Lorenzo Atzori was anticipated by the defence before he could shoot.
18’ Nadur goalkeeper Vella was again called into action, saving a powerful shot from Cruz after a fine solo run.
29’ From a Nenem free-kick, Mateus Fernandes headed just wide of the target.
30’ (2–0) Kerċem doubled their lead when Nenem sent a precise pass into the box for Isaias Cruz, whose first attempt was blocked by the goalkeeper, but the striker calmly slotted home from the rebound.
35’ Kercem could have increased their lead, but Nenem’s header from a Leite cross went wide.
42’ Nadur created their best chance of the half when Diego Rodrigues latched onto a through ball from Pedrinho, but his shot was blocked by goalkeeper Daniel Spiteri.
HT (2-0)
Second Half:
After the break, Nadur came out looking to get back into the game, while Kercem began to manage their two-goal advantage, focusing on counterattacks. As time went on, Nadur grew in confidence and reduced the deficit, making the final minutes lively and exciting.
66’ Kercem came close to adding a third when Nenem’s curling shot toward the far post narrowly missed.
72’ Kercem goalkeeper Daniel Spiteri made a comfortable save from a Pedrinho free-kick.
79’ (2–1) Nadur pulled one back after Brandon Said flicked on a Pedrinho cross, and Diego Rodriguez headed the ball goalward. The assistant referee signalled that it had crossed the line before being cleared by the defence.
90+3’ In stoppage time, Kercem goalkeeper Daniel Spiteri made a crucial save, blocking a close-range header from Scarpari following another dangerous cross from Pedrinho, securing the three points for his team.
FT (KA 2 – NY 1)
Referee: Alex Johnson
Asst. Referees: Igor Karnakas, Rapjan Xhyra
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