League

Novare
Spectators: 6698 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1698, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Beppe Scirea kicked off to start the match. Christian Malatesta made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Beppe Scirea in the 3rd minute of play. In the 4th minute of the match Casteddu got a corner. Novare AFC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Fabrizio Massimini ran over to the corner to take the kick. After taking down the ball on Casteddu's corner Fabrizio Massimini fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Christian Malatesta quite easily take care of the ball. Beppe Scirea struck a weak shot in the 5th minute. Christian Malatesta didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Casteddu. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Beppe Scirea in the 7th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Christian Malatesta prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Demetrio Chiola took the ball and in the 9 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Christian Malatesta. Christian Malatesta dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. 13 minutes into the game, Augusto Marcantonio was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Novare AFC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Casteddu the free kick. After a rather tough play, Novare AFC's Augusto Marcantonio got a free kick in the 13th minute. After having played for 21 minutes, Demetrio Chiola managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Casteddu's supporters crossed their fingers, but Demetrio Chiola was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After 21 minutes, Beppe Scirea made it 0-2 with a short kick to the right side. Novare AFC's Christian Malatesta tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Beppe Scirea fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 26th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Christian Malatesta having to interfere. Angelo Puja struck a weak shot in the 27th minute. Christian Malatesta didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Casteddu. 29 minutes into the match, Novare AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Beppe Scirea came free, but Christian Malatesta reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 38th minute Demetrio Chiola shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Christian Malatesta saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Augusto Marcantonio had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 43rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. After the first half Casteddu were leading 0-4. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Augusto Marcantonio to make the kick off. Beppe Scirea recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 55th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 57 minutes into the match, Novare AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Demetrio Chiola came free, but Christian Malatesta reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Alfonso Barillari made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Fabrizio Ali in the 64th minute of play. Edmondo Strano charged in rather forcefully in the 65th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Edmondo Strano the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Edmondo Strano hit a great freekick 65 minutes into the match. The audience held their breath when Claudio Nicolo in the 67th minute of the game managed to trick the opponents defenses and fired away a shot outside the goal on the Alfonso Barillari's left hand side. In the 76th minute Demetrio Chiola shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Christian Malatesta saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Novare AFC's Christian Malatesta played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Demetrio Chiola in the 79th minute of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 81st minute, Demetrio Chiola managed to get in a good position for a shot. Casteddu's supporters rose to their feet, but Demetrio Chiola was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Christian Malatesta breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. With his leg Christian Malatesta managed to avoid a goal in the 82ndth minute, when Casteddu's Beppe Scirea fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Beppe Scirea sent away a hard shot on goal in the 85th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Angelo Puja recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 87th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 88 minutes into the match, Beppe Scirea dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Christian Malatesta, 0-6. 96 minutes into the game, Augusto Marcantonio cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-6. Alfonso Barillari was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. When the match was over Casteddu could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Novare AFC throughout the match.