Easy Win For Nadur

The Malta FA Trophy: Rd 1
Gozo Stadium

Nadur Y: 7 (C. Antunes 6’, 17’, 37’; M. Stojanovic 19’, J. Buttigieg 23’, J. Grima 31’, C. Debono 78’)

Bugeja, J. Buttigieg, D. Stojanovic, S. Attard (G. Muscat), M. Zerafa, C. Hili, M. Hyzler (C. Debono), M. Stojanovic (S. Muscat), C. Antunes, B. Said, J. Grima.

Gharb R: 1 (D. Bellotti 38’)

Spiteri, M. Vella, Chr. Attard (Re. Vella), J. Azzopardi, D. Bellotti (R. Grech), J. Camenzuli, Cri. Attard, R. Zammit, F. Attard, A. Sultana (M. Grech), C. Gafa.

Nadur Youngsters registered a large win over Gharb Rangers in their first competitive match of the season so that they obtained qualification to the second round of the prestigious completion. This was a match between two sides who play in different categories in Gozitan football. Nadur as expected dominated the encounter and practically made sure of the win with six goals scored during the first half.

Claudio Antunes opened the score for Nadur in the sixth minute of play with a low shot from close distance. On 14 minutes a shot by Nadur’s Josef Buttigieg just missed the target and on 17 minutes Nadur’s Brazilian striker Claudio Antunes, who was returning with the whites after one season with Kercem Ajax, doubled the score with a lob over the goalkeeper. Two minutes later the Youngsters added the score through a shot by Milos Stojanovic, who was also returning with Nadur after a season spent with Ghajnsielem. Gharb continued to suffer Nadur’s pressure and the score became 4-0 on 23 minutes through a strike by Josef Buttigieg after receiving a shot pass from a free kick by Charles Hili. On 31 minutes Joseph Grima added another goal for Nadur with a low shot and Claudio Antunes registered a personal hat trick by scoring the sixth goal for his side on 37 minutes when he concluded in goal with his second consecutive attempt following a cross by mark Hyzler. Gharb managed to score a consolation one minute later through a header by Dylan Bellotti following a cross by Justin Azzopardi.

Nadur’s pressure was less intense during the second period and the actions at goal were quite rare. On 57 minutes a shot from outside the area by Josef Buttigieg was neutralised by Gharb’s goalie Daniel Spiteri and one minute later Gharb replied with an attempt by Josef Camezuli that ended just over the crossbar. On 65 minutes Gharb’s goalie Daniel Spiteri was called to make a difficult intervention to save to a corner a direct free kick by Claudio Antunes. Five minutes later Nadur were again dangerous through a shot from outside the area by Charles Hili that ended just wide but on 78 minutes the Youngsters sealed the issue by scoring their seventh goal when substitute Christian Debono took the ball following some hesitation at Gharb’s defence and netted easily with a low shot.

Referee: Theodor Zammit
Photo: Anaca Photography