GFA BOV GFL Division I
Gozo Stadium
Nadur Y: 0
Grima, S. Attard (P. Camilleri), J. Buttigieg, R. Da Silva, D. Stojanovic, C. Hili, M. Hyzler (M. Zerafa), J. Grima (C. Debono), M. Stojanovic, B. Said, C. Antunes.
Xewkija T: 3 (D. Bogdanovic 4’, T.M. Dos Santos 49’, 72’)
Sultana, J. Azzopardi, M. Xerri, C. Sciberras, J. Vella, J. Cefai, J.M. Vella, M. Hrubsa, G. Hili (C. Farrugia), D. Bogdanovic, T.M. Dos Santos.
Xewkija Tigers recovered from the disappointing start to the championship and earned their first pints from a deserved win over Nadur Youngsters. The two teams used to be among the major contenders for the honours in Gozitan football until two seasons ago but this season Nadur are making a comeback in the top flight after a season played in the lower category. Xewkija paved the way to the victory with an early goal and were therefore in a position to administer play for the rest of the encounter. Nadur had their best patch of play during the final stages of the first half but they seemed demoralised after the break and were not in a position to save the result. For this encounter Xewkija had Dene Shields who was missing since he was not fit for play while Nadur introduced midfielder Ronaldo Da Silva who tried hard to lead his side to a positive result.
Xewkija had an excellent start and opened the score in the fourth minute of play when Thiago Melo Dos Santos entered the area with a fine move and from his inviting pass Daniel Bogdnovic netted with a low shot. Nadur tried to recover from the early shock and as time passed by they started to share more play with their opponents. On 9 minutes a header by Nadur’s Claudio Antunes following a free kick by Charles Hili ended wide and Xewkija replied on 14 minutes through a header by Thiago Melo Dos Santos following a cross by Gennaro Hili that missed the target. One minute later Nadur’s Claudio Antunes had a good shot that was blocked by Xewkija’s goalie Steve Sultana, and the same Brazilian striker had an attempt on 22 minutes following a corner action that was blocked by Xewkija’s rearguard. However, from the resultant melee Nadur’s Ronaldo Da Silva concluded wide from an ideal position. Nadur had another good attempt on 27 minutes through Milos Stojanovic following a personal action that was neutralised by goalie Steve Sultana and less than a minute later Xewkija produced a counter break but Daniel Bogdanovic’s strike was saved with difficulty to a corner by goalie Mark Grima. During the final stages of the first half Nadur increased their pressure but they were often weak in their attempts so that Xewkija’s goalie was not called to make any difficult interventions.
Xewkija had a better start after the break and in the second minute of play a free kick by Daniel Bogdanovic ended just high. The Tigers doubled the score on 49 minutes through a fine header by Thiago Melo Dos Santos from an unmarked position following a cross from the right by Daniel Bogdanovic. Nadur seemed demoralised and on 52 minutes Xewkija were dangerous through a strike by Joseph Cefai that was blocked with some difficulty by goalie Mark Grima. Nadur tried to regain composure and on 55 minutes they had a free kick by Claudio Antunes that ended just over the crossbar. The Youngsters went closest to scoring on 58 minutes when a direct free kick form an angled position by Ronaldo Da Silva was deflected on the crossbar by goalie Steve Sultana and from the rebound Brandon Said concluded high. Xewkija were also unlucky four minutes later when Daniel Bogdanovic entered the area from the right flank and from his inviting cross Thiago Melo Dos Santos had his shot that was stopped by the woodwork. On 66 minutes Xewkija’s goalie Steve Sultana was well placed to hold a shot by Ronaldo Da Silva and five minutes later Xewkija’s Gennaro Hili entered Nadur’s area with a personal action but concluded weak and goalie Mark Grima saved without difficulty. Xewkija practically sealed the victory with the third goal that arrived on 72 minutes when Daniel Bogdanovic produced a personal action on the right flank and from his low cross Thiago Melo Dos Santos placed easily in goal from close distance. On 80 minutes Xewkija could have added the score but an attempt by Daniel Bogdanovic was well saved by goalie Mark Grima. Nadur could have scored a consolation goal in the second minute of play of stoppage time when Milos Stojanovic entered the area with a personal action but concluded wide when he was face to face with the goalkeeper.
Referee: Mario Apap
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