League Play-Off

Stadio Cavalicco
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Cavalicco AFC's Armando Di Vincenzo started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. In the 3rd minute, Biagio Buonanno left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Monte San Giovanni fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. A collision led to Cavalicco AFC getting a freekick after 9 minutes play. Emanuele Fracassi hit a great ball. After a defensive mix-up in Cavalicco AFC's zone, Biagio Buonanno stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Emiliano Picozzi came out of the goal and Biagio Buonanno tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 11th match minute, Cavalicco AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Amedeo Ragazzoni to maneuver through the defense. Emiliano Picozzi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Biagio Buonanno, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Armando Di Vincenzo sent away a hard shot on goal in the 17th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Monte San Giovanni's Federico Iacomini in the 22nd minute got a chance for a shot 22nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Cavalicco AFC's goalie prevented a goal. After having played for 30 minutes, Armando Di Vincenzo managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Cavalicco AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Armando Di Vincenzo was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 35th minute, Federico Iacomini ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Emiliano Picozzi was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-2. 38 minutes into the match, Monte San Giovanni's Federico Iacomini sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Emiliano Picozzi narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 40 minutes Cavalicco AFC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Ferruccio Cirone who took care of the corner kick. Monte San Giovanni's Ferruccio Cirone was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Emiliano Picozzi in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Armando Di Vincenzo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 44th minute. Aurelio Manzoni tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Cavalicco AFC getting a freekick after 46 minutes play. Anselmo Guarrera hit a great ball. 48 minutes into the match, Cavalicco AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Biagio Buonanno came free, but Emiliano Picozzi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After the first half Monte San Giovanni were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Biagio Buonanno stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Emiliano Picozzi stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Biagio Buonanno's shot from short distance in the 54th minute. The supporters of Monte San Giovanni booed when Cavalicco AFC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 56 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alvise Paoletti didn't get a good kick on the ball. Aurelio Manzoni showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Armando Di Vincenzo, who was totally free with the ball in the 61st minute. Emiliano Picozzi made an important save on a dangerous shot by Federico Iacomini in the 64th minute. Emiliano Picozzi didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 66th minute, which inside left pole to 0-4. After 68 minutes, Alessandro Rubini mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Monte San Giovanni and the Cavalicco AFC players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Monte San Giovanni getting a freekick after 68 minutes play. Alessandro Rubini hit a great ball. 76 minutes into the match, Federico Iacomini had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Emiliano Picozzi. Cavalicco AFC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Federico Iacomini was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-5. After a defensive mix-up in Cavalicco AFC's zone, Biagio Buonanno stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Emiliano Picozzi came out of the goal and Biagio Buonanno tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Emiliano Picozzi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Biagio Buonanno, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 97th minute, Federico Iacomini hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Monte San Giovanni walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.