League Play-Off

Stadio Palestro
Spectators: 33 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Corrado Donadoni started the match with the kick off. In the 3rd match minute, Palestro was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Bruno Pantani to maneuver through the defense. In the 5th minute Enzo Zollino shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dave Giacomini saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Bettenesco AFC's Biagio Galliani proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 11th minute of the match, managed to save Bettenesco AFC from getting a goal against them. Antonio Lepori struck a weak shot in the 17th minute. Dave Giacomini didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Bettenesco AFC. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Antonio Lepori in the 19th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Dave Giacomini prevented the ball from getting in the gole. If Corrado Donadoni had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 20th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. The audience thought a goal was coming when Arturo Petricca got free with Biagio Galliani in the 21st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Bruno Pantani's late challenge caught a Bettenesco AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Bruno Pantani helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to Palestro getting a freekick after 24 minutes play. Bruno Pantani hit a great ball. After 31 minutes of play, Bettenesco AFC's Enzo Zollino made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Dave Giacomini was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 35th match minute, Palestro was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dario Picozzi to maneuver through the defense. 38 minutes into the match, Bettenesco AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Daniele Di Martino came free, but Biagio Galliani reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Enzo Zollino fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 47th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dave Giacomini having to interfere. After the first half Bettenesco AFC were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Bruno Pantani got his second yellow card in the match during the 53rd minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 53rd minute of the game. One of Palestro:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Bettenesco AFC:s goal. Emanuele Proietti shot the penalty kick right outside the post. Enzo Zollino fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 60th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Dave Giacomini having to interfere. Bettenesco AFC's Carter Rozzi got a good chance for a goal in the 61st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 65thth minute of the game Arturo Petricca who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Bettenesco AFC's Biagio Galliani was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Antonio Lepori in the 74th minute of play forced Palestro's goalkeeper Dave Giacomini to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Cristoforo Schiacciacasse fell near the penalty area in the 75th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Palestro's protests and gave Cristoforo Schiacciacasse a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Bettenesco AFC booed when Palestro was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 76 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cristoforo Schiacciacasse didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a rather tough play, Bettenesco AFC's Carter Rozzi got a free kick in the 85th minute. Bernardo Antico hit a great freekick 87 minutes into the match. Antonio Lepori struck a weak shot in the 88th minute. Dave Giacomini didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Bettenesco AFC. After 92 played minutes, Palestro's Dario Picozzi shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Biagio Galliani came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Palestro reached it. If Arturo Petricca had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 94th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The Bettenesco AFC players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.