20 April 2026
GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division (MD 21) Gozo Stadium
Xaghra United FC : 3
Nadur Youngsters FC : 1
40’ (0-1) Murilo Scarpari
52’ (1-1) Fabian John Xuereb
55’ (2-1) Ibrahim Salis
57’ (red card) Lucas Baretto Da Silva (NY)
88’ (3-1) Lucas Farrugia
Xaghra U:
M. Zammit, J. Bajada, S. Galea, I. De Jesus De Santana (Jacare), L. Farrugia (H. Paulin 90), E. Xiberras, J.P. Oliveira Santos (Pedrinho) (C. Camilleri 90), T. Agius, F.J. Xuereb, J.C. Marini, I. Salis.
Nadur Y:
Z. Vella, L.B. Da Silva, K. Xuereb, M. Scarpari, S. Xuereb, O.P. Bugeja (L. Buttigieg 84), K. Hili, N. Mifsud, D. Vella, D. Oliveira Santos, R.S. Favero.
The most anticipated match of the final day of the BOV Gozo Football League First Division saw Xaghra United claim a 3–1 victory over Nadur Youngsters in a direct relegation clash.
Nadur needed a win at all costs to force a decider against Xaghra, while for Xaghra, a draw would have been enough to avoid finishing second from bottom and thus secure their place in the First Division through a play-off against the team that finished second in the Second Division.
This match was therefore effectively worth the entire season for both teams. During the first half, Xaghra were more cautious, while Nadur were more attacking and went into the break with a one-goal advantage. However, Xaghra came out very aggressively in the second half and turned the result within a few minutes, eventually taking control of the game—especially after Nadur were reduced to 10 players before the hour mark. Xaghra sealed the win with a third goal shortly before the final whistle.
Timeline
First Half:
In the opening minutes, Xaghra looked more confident, but as time went on, Nadur improved, gaining more possession and managing to open the scoring shortly before halftime.
1’ Xaghra nearly surprised their opponents in the very first action, but a shot by Fabian John Xuereb went wide.
5’ (crossbar) Xaghra came very close to taking the lead, but a free-kick by Pedrinho hit the crossbar.
12’ Nadur threatened when, from a free kick by Daniel Vella, Favero’s header went over.
40’ (0–1) Nadur opened the scoring when Lucas Baretto delivered into the box, the defence failed to clear, and Murilo Scarpari finished from close range.
43’ Xaghra responded with a Pedrinho free-kick that was saved by goalkeeper Zak Vella.
45’ Nadur almost doubled their lead when Daniel Vella crossed, but David Oliveira’s header went wide.
HT (0-1)
Second Half:
Xaghra came out much more determined and managed to turn the score around early, while Nadur appeared demoralised and never looked capable of recovering after going down to 10 players.
7’ (1–1) Xaghra equalised through a long-range strike by Fabian John Xuereb that surprised goalkeeper Zak Vella.
10’ (2–1) Xaghra took the lead when Pedrinho advanced on his own and crossed; Zak Vella cleared poorly, and Ibrahim Salis scored from close range.
12’ (red card) Nadur were reduced to 10 players after Lucas Baretto was sent off for a second yellow card following a foul on Lucas Farrugia.
23’ Nadur came close when Murilo Scarpari set up Owen Peter Bugeja, whose shot from a good position went wide.
33’ Another chance for Nadur as Owen Bugeja was unmarked in the box, but his shot missed the target.
43’ (3–1) Xaghra wrapped up the match when Ibrahim Salis passed to Lucas Farrugia, who beat the defence and scored with a low shot.
45+2’ Xaghra nearly added another as Ibrahim Salis broke down the right and passed to substitute Chris Camilleri, but his shot was saved by Zak Vella.
45+4’ Nadur almost pulled one back, but Murilo Scarpari’s shot was well saved by Xaghra goalkeeper Mattia Zammit.
FT (XU 3 – NY 1)
Referee: Slobodan Petrovic
Assistant Referee: David Castillo, Rapjan Xhyra
0 Comments