Pro Vercelli defeated Spezia 1-0 on Saturday evening at the Stadio Silvio Piola in Serie B.
A controversially given spot kick was converted by Ettore Marchi and proved to be enough to separate the two sides in what was an even affair.
In the opening exchanges it was difficult for any team to get any rhythm to their game and not many goalscoring chances were created.
The first chance came just past the half-hour mark when Spezia’s Felice Piccolo tried an ambitious acrobatic effort that flew over the bar from inside the box.
The home side began to take more control of the game towards the end of the half as Gianni Fabiano had an effort from outside the box but it lacked power and was easily saved by Leandro Chichizola in the Spezia goal.
The Leoni had another good chance before the break when Nunzio Di Roberto met Manuel Scavone’s cross but his header went wide of the post.
The two teams went in to half-time level and although Vercelli had more attempts at goal, it was very much an even contest.
The Aquilotti had a great chance to take the lead five minutes into the second half as Croatia international Dario Canadija somehow dribbled his way past the defenders and then seemingly took it too wide when he rounded the keeper and his effort was cleared off the line.
The away side had another great chance moments later as Andrea Catellani went in on goal but his shot was straight at Danilo Russo.
The Leoni came closest to scoring in the 69th minute when after a free kick the ball fell to Fabiano who struck from the edge of the box, though Chichizola did well to tip it over the bar.
Minutes later Pro Vercelli were awarded a controversial penalty. Mohammed Coly struck a volley wide of goal before colliding with Spezia keeper Chichizola, to which the referee awarded a penalty.
To add injury to insult for the Aquilotti, Chichizola got a hand to Marchi’s penalty but could not prevent the ball from ending up in the top corner and as the Bianche Casacche took the 1-0 lead.
It was a scrappy end to the game and Spezia nearly grabbed an equaliser in the 86th minute when Luca Ceccarelli headed onto the roof of the net.
Pro Vercelli had the chance to kill the game off when Giacomo Beretta went clean through on goal but he was denied by Chichizola, though it didn’t change the final result as the Leoni took home a precious 1-0 victory.
