Youngsters back in pole position, retain Freedom Day Cup

Nadur Youngsters enjoyed a purple patch lately as impressive victories in the league and Freedom Day Cup enhanced their reputation as the top team on the sister island. Moreover, one of their junior teams was crowned YFA U-14 champions after a narrow...

Nadur Youngsters 5
Zebbug Rovers 0

Nadur Youngsters' moment of grace was underlined by a comfortable 5-0 victory over Zebbug Rovers which moved them back to the top of the Easyline Division One league.

With Edoardo Do Nascimento and Anthony Portelli in fine form, there seems to be no stopping this side from winning the honours this season.

Nadur took command of play from the very beginning and opened the scoring in the eighth minute through Do Nascimento's low shot.

In the 36th minute, the score became 2-0 with a Mark Buttigieg goal.

Nadur were then awarded a penalty for a foul on Do Nascimento... the Brazilian striker converted from the spot to increase his side's lead.

During first-half stoppage time, Chris Camilleri jinked his way past the Rovers goalkeeper before placing into an empty net.

There was no story left in this match, especially after Nadur hit their fifth goal six minutes after the restart. Portelli beat Xuereb after some fine work from Camilleri.

Referee: George Portelli.

Freedom Day Cup

Nadur Youngsters 3
Ghajnsielem 0

Nadur Youngsters recorded another victory over rivals Ghajnsielem, this time in the Freedom Day Cup, a competition contested by the two top teams at the end of the first round in the league.

It was the Youngsters' second consecutive Freedom Day Cup success. Theirs was a deserved victory.

The Youngsters dictated matters for long stretches and very rarely were they troubled by their opponents. Nadur had to wait until the 34th minute to surge ahead.

Edoardo Do Nascimento served Anthony Portelli with an inviting ball and the latter placed easily behind Ghajnsielem 'keeper Attard.

Ghajnsielem staged a bold reaction after the break but failed to equalise.

It was Nadur who increased their tally in the 60th minute with a spectacular goal from Australian-born Emmanuel Muscat who surprised goalie Attard with a superb drive from outside the area.

The Blacks were reduced to ten players soon after when referee Reno Refalo showed the red card to Reuben Mercieca for a foul on Camilleri.

Nadur made sure of their victory with a third goal in the 80th minute courtesy of Portelli.

Referee: Reno Refalo.

GFA Cup - preliminary round matches

The first matches from the 30th Gozo FA Cup offered up a surprise when second division outfit Gharb Rangers eliminated division one side Xaghra United.

Gharb's 3-2 victory was merited and could have been more comprehensive had it not been for Xaghra goalkeeper Agius who made a series of outstanding saves during the match.

The goals for Xaghra came from John Camilleri (6th) and Johann Attard (47th penalty). Victor Caruana (30th penalty), John Cassar (44th) and Philip Bajada (45th) scored for the winners who now meet Ghajnsielem in the quarter-finals.

Sannat Lions scored a convincing 4-1 win over Oratory Youths to reach the last eight stage where they face Qala SJ.

The Lions scored two goals in each half - Mark Muscat (16th), Mark Formosa (37th, 51st), Pierre Said (49th). Oratory's consolation goal came in the 82nd minute from a Marvin Grech penalty.

In another match, Victoria Hotspurs won the derby against SK Victoria Wanderers 2-0. Isaac Mopi (5th) and John Camilleri (19th) scored for the Hotspurs who next play Nadur.

Kercem Ajax were the fourth team to qualify thanks to a 1-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs, the winner coming 12 minutes from time... an own-goal by Daniel Micallef.

In the next round, Kercem face the winner of the tie between Zebbug Rovers and Xewkija Tigers.

Nadur U-14 champions

Nadur Youngsters won the Gozo Youth FA U-14 championship after beating direct rivals Victoria Hotspurs 2-1.

These two teams were worthy challengers for the title this season as they played the better football.

Nadur completed the season unbeaten, dropping only two points in a draw.