League Play-Off

Sferracavallo
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Dave Grieco took the kick off in the first half of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Claudio Fortuna in the 3rd minute of play forced Sferracavallo FC's goalkeeper Antonello Maurizi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dave Grieco fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 5th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Franco Selvaggi having to interfere. Fortunato Alfonsi charged in rather forcefully in the 9th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Fortunato Alfonsi the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Fortunato Alfonsi hit a great freekick 9 minutes into the match. Franco Selvaggi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Dave Grieco in the 14th minute of play. In the 16th minute Sferracavallo FC were awarded a corner. Fedele Perazzolo went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner led Sferracavallo FC's Fedele Perazzolo to fire away a dangerous shot which Franco Selvaggi despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Antonello Maurizi showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Angelo Fantauzzi in the 19th minute of the match. Dario Prandini fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 27th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Franco Selvaggi having to interfere. Dario Prandini who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 32ndth minute tested the skills of Franco Selvaggi when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Dario Prandini came free with the goalkeeper in the 34th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Franco Selvaggi could save by the left post. Dave Grieco sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. A collision led to Virtus Roma getting a freekick after 44 minutes play. Emilio Donato hit a great ball. The long shot by Fedele Perazzolo in the 45th minute really tested Franco Selvaggi's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. In the 48th minute, one of Virtus Roma:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Virtus Roma. In the 50th minute, Fedele Perazzolo ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Franco Selvaggi was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-0. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Fortunato Alfonsi to make the kick off. Dave Grieco sent away a hard shot on goal in the 56th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. A collision led to Virtus Roma getting a freekick after 60 minutes play. Claudio Fortuna hit a great ball. Angelo Fantauzzi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 63rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a little luck, Sferracavallo FC's Antonello Maurizi got control of the ball when Angelo Fantauzzi tried to sneak it across the goal line. If Angelo Fantauzzi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 68th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 76th minute Fortunato Alfonsi shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Antonello Maurizi saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Emilio Donato during the 76th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 76th match minute, Virtus Roma was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Emilio Donato to maneuver through the defense. If Dave Grieco had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 78th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. The audience was convinced that Fortunato Alfonsi's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Antonello Maurizi was relentless in the 82nd minute of the game. Franco Selvaggi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Dave Grieco, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The supporters of Sferracavallo FC booed when Virtus Roma was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 96 match minutes in a wonderful position. Arrigo Rotondi didn't get a good kick on the ball. 99 minutes into the match, Virtus Roma's goal looked a bit too open when Dario Prandini came free, but Franco Selvaggi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Sferracavallo FC had won after a very even match.