Shock was the word of the day in Lega Pro, as this week’s teams either rose above expectations or in some cases inexplicably did not. At last Lecce got a point, well its only week six, whilst Pro Patria actually won a football match, even if against San Marino and poor old Barletta are still to find the net. On the positive there have been some delightful goals, plenty of goalkeeping errors and the usual smattering of red cards.
The best game in Girone A was a fixture that harked back to when Calcio ruled the world. Reggiana hosted Cremonese in the Stadio Città del Tricolore in front of 2,610 people, not bad for Lega Pro. If the fans who missed the game actually bothered to watch the highlights they would have been kicking themselves for they missed a superb match.
The opening strike was one of the goals of the season as after a badly cleared corner fell to Marco Armellino and he returned it with considerable interest, Cremonese lead 0-1. The game had chance after chance for both sides but some good goalkeeping kept either side at bay, that was until the 14th minute when an out swinging corner found Matteo Solini who ran untracked and headed home. The game continued to see some good passing football and some entertaining play but still nobody could find the winner. That was until Elvis decided it was time for a little more action and bundled home the winner, a goal so typical of the legendary Mr Abbruscato.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AzqZqYIlos[/youtube]
Elsewhere in Girone A, Como continued with their disappointing run losing 0-1 away to Savona, perhaps they can only perform in beautiful surroundings? The big shock was Pro Patria beating San Marino at the Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle , this was Pro’s first win of the season and could not have come any sooner. Pro Vercelli failed to keep pace at the top when they drew 2-2 with high fliers Albinoleffe, now just three points separate the top six.
One of these top six is underdogs Venezia who continue with their steady rise and could be this seasons dark horses for promotion. Finally another team who many will be surprised with are promotion favourites Vicenza whose draw at Virtus Entella leaves questions being asked.
Girone B featured another superb game that captured the good and the bad and the damn right ridiculous that is Lega Pro. Pisa hosted runaway leaders Pontedera on a pitch that was did not have a flat square foot on it. The game saw a goal given that clearly was not over the line, a string of great saves, a penalty that wasn’t given and then missed and a penalty that was, denied. The referee decided it was time to send off a coach and so he did and then got card happy.
Pisa got themselves back into the game but then the most curious event happened. For some reason every free kick Pontendera got, they struck at goal from any distance as long as it was in the opponents half. Then on the 93rd minute they got a free kick from fully 40 yards. Paolo Bartolomei stepped up, and delivered a shot that seriously threatened to pierce the Pisa net. A spectacular goal to end a ridiculous game.
Elsewhere Lecce eventually have a point, so that makes a grand total of one. Albiet it was against Barletta, a team who only have two and have the unmistakable shame of still not having scored a goal yet this season. Still a point is a point but Lecce are missing Miccoli. L’Aquila secured a good away win against Salernitana whilst Frosinone continue to climb. Perugia forced out a draw and could be Grione B’s dark horse, what they could do for Jay Bothroyd now though.
Once again this week did not disappoint and whilst the International brings people to despair for many reasons Lega Pro continues regardless. Sublime goals, sending’s off and bizarre refereeing decisions continue to make Lega Pro as entertaining as ever.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfXhF_mfdVU[/youtube]
