Eccelenza Abruzzo Relegation Playoff
The playoff is simple it is a one of game that goes to 120 mins and then penalties if necessary and the loser is relegated to the sixth tier of Italian football while the winner stays up.
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The game will be played in Chieti about equidistant between Castel di Sangro in the mountains and Alba Adratica on the Adriatic coast. It is also where Castel di Sangro played their games in Serie B for the first half of the season.
Kickoff
31st Minute The game has made a slow start with neither side coming close. After a nice passing move by Alba Adratica Falcinelli slipped in De Berardinis, Piagnerelli comes out well to close down the angle and the shot slams into the side netting.
Half Time 0-0
In what was an action packed 10 seconds there was one chance, other than that it was a dull 45 minutes and stereotypical Italian football. Moronti replaces Marino as Castel di Sangro go 4-4-2
60th Minute The second half has been equally exciting and Castel di Sangro have a corner. Abagnale volleys the corner goalwards but, it is tipped behind and the next corner is cleared.
65th Minute De Berardinis stands over a free kick 22 meters out almost in the middle of the goal. He steps up and smacks a free kick over the wall and it begins to dip goalwards. Piagnerelli dives to try and block it but, he can only watch the ball as it smacks into the bar and back into the box, Abagnale hooks clear the rebound to clear the danger.
74th Minute A corner is swung in and Alba's AMC Pepe has no one near him. Castel players try and get near him to get to the ball first but, can only watch as he flicks it on target. A despairing dive from the keeper does no good and the man on the line can't get to it and can only watch the ball fly in. Pepe's header would have been great had it been at the other end but, with an awful defensive header his own goal has put Castel di Sangro 1-0 up.
Castel di Sangro 1-0 Alba Adratica
79th Minute Alba press forwards hoping to level Valdes passed wide to Rossi and he hit in a great cross that Falcinelli volleyed in at the back post. Only 5 minutes after going ahead Castel di Sangro are level.
Castel di Sangro 1-1 Alba Adratica
85th Minute Alba have a throw in deep in Castel's half that is cleared long forward to Albergo. However, he loses the ball and both sides exchange possession in the midfield. Ciarrochi get the ball 35 yards out and turns to slip in Rossi from just inside the box Rossi smashed his shot just wide of the target. A big chance for Alba.
86th Minute Piagnerelli takes the goal kick following the miss. some headers and then passes are exchanged by both sides in the midfield Siciliano plays a long pass up to Albergo 30 yards out he turns and passes to Moronti he plays a 1-2 with Siciliano to get in on goal he takes a touch tries to pick his spot but, the keeper pushes it away. Cuoghi is on hand to fire in the rebound and grab his first goal of the season from left wing at the best time possible.
90th Minute Alba have a free kick just inside Castel di Sangro's half. They launch it in and Lovane heads it up to Albergo just inside our half. With the only defender with him Albergo played it to Moronti who was only onside as he was in his own half. As Moronti gets into the box a defender is on his back despite this he beautifully chips an effort over the keeper unfortunately it came off the corner between the bar and the post. Cuoghi was again on hand to fire in the rebound and grab his second goal of the game and the season.
Full Time
Castel di Sangro 3-1 Alba Adratica
A great win for us and we send Alba down to the sixth level of Italian football. It was a match we dominated only allowing one shot on target in the whole game.
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A dominant performance and Moronti got two assists after coming on at half time.
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Safety is assured for us this year but, next year we should hopefully improve.
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