Cecchina 3 - 1 Onopkos (381744078)

It had rained all day, but 20963 hardy fans still made it out to Old Cecchina's Trafford. Harald Meischl was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Driek Schut and Walenty Marciniak. Cecchina had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Lineup: Réa - Brito, Even-Zohar, Zsámboki - Poiron, Sutton, Ceolin, Cascino, Krupop - Kometter, Ardatana.

Onopkos tactics involved an interesting 3-4-3 combination. The following players took the field: Forestan - Spiti, Grammatico, Fratoni - Bergo, Termali, Barresi, Fabricatore - Grande, Vieira, Donatiello.

Onopkos used their ability to concentrate their attacks in the middle of the pitch, rather than on the wings. D. Grammatico, who often relies on his speed, had a rotten day on the drenched grass. The game was characterised by rough play and many physical challenges on the wet field, but I. Barresi showed great heart and had a good game. Cecchina broke through on the left 19 minutes into the game, with A. Even-Zohar firing in from an acute angle to give the home side a 1 - 0 lead. The teams went for the halftime break at 1 - 0. Cecchina claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 52 percent.

A. Donatiello finished off a quick charge from the left of the field by chipping the ball just past the home side's keeper, making the score 1 - 1 54 minutes into the match. They were singing the praises of V. Ardatana 62 minutes into the match after his speculative chip from the middle of the penalty box found its way over the visitors' keeper to make the score 2 - 1 to Cecchina. 79 minutes into the game, G. Sutton had to leave the pitch due to a knee injury. In came P. Velardi. Cecchina's D. Cascino increased the lead to 3 - 1, after he saw his shot go between the legs of the advancing goalkeeper following some good play down the right wing after 80 minutes. Onopkos had a fair chance to reply after 83 minutes due to some fine moves down the left, but in the end A. Donatiello was slow to keep up with the play and was unable to make it into the penalty box to apply a finish. Cecchina's D. Cascino was shown a yellow card after 85 minutes for slicing down an opponent. A. Even-Zohar of Cecchina received a yellow card after 87 minutes for unsportsmanlike behaviour. E. Perrone was called on to replace Onopkos's F. Fratoni after 87 minutes following a nasty collision. Possession in this half belonged to Cecchina, who controlled the ball 52 percent of the time.

Most important Cecchina player was V. Ardatana. On the other hand, P. Velardi's play was disheartening. I. Barresi performed admirably for Onopkos. E. Perrone turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 3 - 1.