League

Erasmo Iacovone
Spectators: 7321 (Terracing: 5492, Seating: 1684, VIP seats: 145) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Achille Biavati took the kick off in the first half of the match. 1-0 became the score in the 7th minute when Ciccio Valeriani elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. Alberto Buccella shot the penalty kick by force right in the crossbar. No goal. Fortunato Treglia stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Edmondo Iori's shot from short distance in the 19th minute. The crowd rose to their feet as A. C. Taranto Lions's Ciccio Valeriani slotted home a wonderful shot that went in to the left of Fortunato Treglia. That made the score 2-0 after 20 minutes of play. Ciccio Valeriani recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 26th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Fortunato Treglia made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ciccio Valeriani in the 28th minute of play. Fortunato Treglia took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ciccio Valeriani, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When Damiano Masciarelli fell near the penalty area in the 37th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Riccardopoli's protests and gave Damiano Masciarelli a yellow card for diving instead. After 36 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Riccardopoli! Alberto Buccella placed the ball on the penalty spot and got himself ready to shoot. Post out! 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.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Ciccio Valeriani to make the kick off. In the 55thth minute of the game Ciccio Valeriani who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Riccardopoli's Fortunato Treglia was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Ciccio Valeriani in the 56th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Fortunato Treglia saved Riccardopoli from getting behind. In the 58th minute of the match Alberto Buccella shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Fortunato Treglia showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Fortunato Treglia showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alex Antico, who was totally free with the ball in the 60th minute. After 60 played minutes Riccardopoli got a freekick which was hit by Alfonso Serra. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ciccio Valeriani in the 64th minute of play forced Riccardopoli's goalkeeper Fortunato Treglia to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. A collision led to Riccardopoli getting a freekick after 64 minutes play. Alfonso Serra hit a great ball. 69 minutes into the game, A. C. Taranto Lions's Ciccio Valeriani nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Fortunato Treglia made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 4-0. Fortunato Treglia took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ciccio Valeriani, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After some fancy dribbling in the 85th minute, Ciccio Valeriani managed to get in a good position for a shot. A. C. Taranto Lions's supporters rose to their feet, but Ciccio Valeriani was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Fortunato Treglia breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 91st minute Ciccio Valeriani shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Fortunato Treglia saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. There was no doubt that A. C. Taranto Lions were the better team. A. C. Taranto Lions's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.