League Play-Off

Stadio Pioppa
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Ciro Tullio got the match started through his kick off. After a defensive mix-up in Pioppa FC's zone, Franco De Marco stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Donato Falone came out of the goal and Franco De Marco tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 13th match minute, Riello was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ernesto Allemandi to maneuver through the defense. When the match had gone on for 14 minutes, Cesare Evani put it in 2-0 from a short distance just to the right of Bernardo De Meis. The audience was convinced that Ciro Tullio's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Bernardo De Meis was relentless in the 18th minute of the game. When Riello's Alvise Formaggio 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 Pioppa FC's goalie prevented a goal. After having played for 23 minutes, Franco De Marco managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Riello's supporters crossed their fingers, but Franco De Marco was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Alvise Formaggio received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 25th minute. Donato Falone tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In a very dangerous position, a player in Pioppa FC fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 28th minute. Penalty! In the 29th minute there was a penalty for Riello. Flavio Savoia stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Donato Falone. 2-1. Ciro Tullio fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 34th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Bernardo De Meis having to interfere. Pioppa FC's Ciro Tullio was standing unmarked in front of the goal when he, in the 37th play minute, got the ball and easily drilled it into the goal. Carmine Vitucci kicked well hit freekick during the 40th minute of the match. Flavio Savoia, 41 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. After 42 played minutes Pioppa FC got a freekick which was hit by Ciro Benvenuto. Donato Falone took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Franco De Marco, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

In the 53rd minute Riello were awarded a corner. Flavio Savoia went to the cornerflag to take it. After 57 played minutes Riello got a freekick which was hit by Alberigo Tieri. Cesare Evani received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 59th minute. Bernardo De Meis tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Donato Falone made a fantastic save in the 71st minute, when Franco De Marco sent off a good shot on target. If Ciro Tullio had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 77th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. After a rather tough play, Pioppa FC's Dennis Laudadio got a free kick in the 82nd minute. When Alvise Formaggio came up free with the goalie in the 83rd minute, the Riello fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Alvise Formaggio couldn't finish the play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Alvise Formaggio in the 85th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Donato Falone prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Cesare Evani recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 88th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 95 minutes into the match, Pioppa FC's goalkeeper Donato Falone had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Franco De Marco. Pioppa FC's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.