SANNAT LIONS FC .............1  (F. De Andrade 90+3’)

A. Parnis, P. Monye, A. Debono (F. De Andrade), P. Buttigieg, F. Debono, M. Muscat, E. Nwankwo (E. Bugeja), C. Camilleri, E. Vella, M. Formosa, J. Camilleri.

  NADUR YOUNGSTERS FC ....1  (A. Portelli 25’)

S. Sultana, J. Buttigieg, J. Meilaq, M. Portelli, D. Stojanovic, C. Hili (J.P. Grima), M. Stojanovic, S. Attard, W. De Oliveira, A. Portelli (I. Xuereb), J. Portelli

  Brazilian striker Fernando De Andrade came off the bench in the early stages of the second period to score an important goal during stoppage time an earn a point to his side from their difficult encounter against Nadur Youngsters.  This was the opening match of the ninth day of the championship and as expected the two sides came all out in search for the three points.  Sannat could have increased their leadership and practically eliminate the same Nadur from the challengers, while the Youngsters were aware that this match was a golden opportunity to gain real chances to join the race for the title.  At the end Nadur were more disappointed with the result as they held the lead until stoppage time and also lost a number of good opportunities where they could have made sure of the maximum points at an earlier stage of the match.  On the other side Sannat seemed overconfident and found it extremely difficult to recover the score.  Their reaction was generally chaotic so that they not only failed to test Nadur’s keeper but also went through the risk of conceding more goals.  Fernando De Andrade’s equaliser was therefore a liberation from a difficult situation which leaves them with a comfortable advantage at the top of the table.

  The Youngsters had a better start and in the early stages a shot on the run by Anthony Portelli missed the target.  Sannat replied in the 5th minute through a close ranged header by Eric Nwankwo following a cross by Chris Camilleri ended just high.  On 12 minutes Sannat were again dangerous through an attempt by Chris Camilleri following an inviting pass by Chris Camilleri that ended inches wide.  Sannat continued to be more dangerous despite Nadur’s territorial supremacy.  On 17 minutes Eric Nwankwo had a good header following a cross by Mark Formosa that was well blocked by goalie Steve Sultana.  Nadur replied on 23 minutes through a header by Milos Stojanovic from a cross by Saviour Attard that was neutralised by goalie Adrian Parnis.  One minute later Sannat’s John Camilleri unmarked Eric Nwankwo in Nadur’s area but the latter concluded over the crossbar from an ideal position.  Nadur opened the score on 25 minutes.  Anthony Portelli received a good ball in the area following a long ranged cross from the left and netted with a low drive from an angled position.  Sannat took some time to recover but increased their pressure in the final stages of the first half.  However, their best scoring opportunity arrived one minute from the break through a strike by Chris Camilleri following a corner action that ended just high.

  Sannat maintained their momentum after the resumption and on 51 minutes they went again close to scoring through an attempt by Chris Camilleri that ended wide.  Four minutes later Eric Nwankwo entered Nadur’s area with a solo action but his low shot ended inches wide.  The Youngsters replied on 56 minutes through a strike by Milos Stojanovic from outside the area that missed the target.  Nadur resisted well through the difficult moments and as time passed by they became more dangerous especially through counter breaks.  On 73 minutes they could have increased their lead when Wesley De Oliveira came face to face with Sannat’s goalkeeper but the Brazilian striker concluded incredibly wide from an ideal position.  One minute later Sannat’s goalie Adrian Parnis kept his side oin contention with a fine save to turn in corner a strike by Joseph Portelli.  The same goalkeeper was again called to make another important intervention on 77 minutes to neutralise another attempt by the same Portelli following a pass by De Oliveira.  Nadur were almost punished for the missed chances as one minute later Eric Nwankwo managed to lob over goalie Sultana but Jeffrey Meilaq recovered well and cleared the ball from the goalmouth to avoid a certain goal.  On 80 minute Wesley De Oliveira once again had the opportunity to double the lead for Nadur but he again concluded incredibly wide following a fast break.  One minute later Sannat went very close to level the score but a low drive by John Camilleri was saved in corner by goalie Steve Sultana.  Sannat scored the equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time.  Nadur’s rearguard failed to clear a corner kick by Elton Vella, the ball arrived to an unmarked Fernando De Andrade who fired in goal from close distance.  There was no time left for either side to win the match so that the two sides came out of the field in a disappointing mood.

Referee: Paul Caruana

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