zipman

30.10.05 - 15:00 - Sant'Abruzzese, Melfi - Serie C2/C

Melfi 6th - Potenza 14th (Basilicata) 2:0 (1:0)

Wet 15°C
Attendance: 1922
Referee: Johannes Donati

Melfi (4-4-2)
Nicoletti
Marciano - Patarini - Cuomo - Avolio (c)
Rodio - Gravante - Esposito - La Porta
Lauria - Roberto

Goals:
1:0 Gravante (19')
2:0 Venturini (94')

MoM:
Michele Nicoletti (GK, Melfi, solid as rock, saving all four shots which were on target)

Derby time in the mountains! Potenza which is the capital of the region where Melfi is located travelled into town. A trip of only 38 km's through the mountains. As some locals told me Melfi has so far always been the small brother of Potenza which is much bigger and wealther than Melfi. The bookies had Potenza as favorites even if they struggle this year. Of course we didn't do well at home either. For the first time this season we play a game with wet conditions.
For the red-carded Fumagalli Patarini gets another chance, Marciano moves back to DL. Doumbia is once again replaced by Gravante, who did well in training. Before the game I had a little mind game which was started by Potenza coach Porta. My guys were on fire to be honest.
The game was intense, but never unfair. First 20 minutes offered some midfield battling, which led to one good chance on both sides. After 19 minutes Gravante broke free and scored his first ever goal. The crowd went wild. Potenza almost hit back two minutes later, but La Porta removed the danger after a corner. Lauria our go to guy was especially motivated today, shooting seven times at goal, but looked a bit overmotivated as he lacked concentration i front of the goal. Two players (Esposito and La Porta) went down with injuries during first half. We replaced them with Selvaggi and Doumbia.
Thankfully these changes didn't hurt our performance. Lauria alone had three good chances in the first 15 minutes of second half to decide the game. His misses made Potenza stronger who had themselves 15 good minutes. But defenders did a very good job covering their topstriker Xausa. Right before the final whistle Venturini converted a Doumbia cross and sent our fans into ecstasy. The derby was won and small Melfi is the No 1 in Basilicata while Potenza is battling relegation.

zipman

02.11.05 - 19:30 - Tupparello, Acireale - Serie C Cup Qual. Round Leg 1

Acireale Serie C1/B (Sicilia) - Melfi 1:2 (1:2)

Dry 17°C
Attendance: 457
Referee: Luca Palanca

Melfi (4-4-2)
Nicoletti
Marciano - Patarini - Cuomo - Avolio
Selvaggi - Doumbia - Rodio - Cammarota (c)
Lauria - Roberto

Goals:
0:1 Rodio (4')
1:1 (6')
1:2 Roberto (8')

MoM:
Luca Patarini (DC, Melfi, won every header and played well after getting another chance)

Another long trip to Sicily in the middle of the week for us to play in the Serie C qualification round. Actually I didn't await much as two offensive players were injured, another needed rest due to exhaustion. Acireale also plays very well in the Serie C1, having not lost a single league game at home. I guess they underestimated us when they saw who started for Melfi. Anyway they woke up quickly after we took the lead after only four minutes. Everybody who came late for this game should shoot himself, as the home team equalized only two minutes later. Actually the scoring of the game was done after only eight minutes when young Franceso Roberto gave us the lead. Both of our goals were assisted by good old Lauria who again wasted a number of chances himself. After we took the lead I expected the Sicilians to increase pressure, but we allowed them only two more chances throughout the 90 minutes. We should have won this game by more than one goal, but I certainly won't complain about two away goals and a deserved win against a superiour team.

zipman

06.11.05 - 15:00 - Sant'Abruzzese, Melfi - Serie C2/C

Melfi 6th - Real Marcianise 3rd (Campania) 4:1 (2:1)

Wet 21°C
Attendance: 2215
Referee: Andrea De Faveri

Melfi (4-4-2)
Nicoletti
Marciano - Patarini - Cuomo - Avolio (c)
Selvaggi - Doumbia - Rodio - Gravante
Lauria - Venturini

Goals:
0:1 (12')
1:1 Cuomo (39' - direct freekick)
2:1 Venturini (44')
3:1 Lauria (57')
4:1 Gravante (60')

MoM:
Almamy Doumbia (AM L, Melfi, three assists)

Once again a match against a top team. I even started wondering if I ever play against teams from the bottom half of the standings? Anyway Marcianise are from Campania, close to Napoli and as me freshly promoted. They started even more impressive than me and I was prepared for a hard battle.
The Campanese showed they are now pushovers and took the lead with their second chance. After their game the match was an open affair, but somehow we didn't create quality chances. So it was up to central defender and his freekick to level the game. We caught Marcianise by surprise and Venturini showed he likes to score at home by giving us the lead just before halftime tea.
Without knowing it this goal meant the end of Marcianise's resistance. Lauria's goal just after the break was ruled out due to offside. But in 57th minute the big old man scored in his typical fashion. Young playmaker added our 4th goal after 60 minutes and from now on we could even rest some key players for the 2nd leg in cup. So far the most impressive home performance which sends us up to 2nd place.

zipman

06.11.05 - BAN (SF) - Fritsche lifts Melfi

Few people expected Melfi to be flying as high as they are in the league but Melfi have never looked back since opting to bring Andreas Fritsche to the club back in July.

The current manager is proving to be a shrewd operator, bringing fresh confidence to the team and guiding them to an impressive seven wins during his first fifteen games in charge.

zipman

09.11.05 - 19:30 - Sant'Abruzzese, Melfi - Serie C Cup Qual. Round Leg 2

Melfi - Acireale Serie C1/B (Sicilia) 2:3 (2:1) 4:4 on aggregate (Acireale advances on away goals)

Wet 14°C
Attendance: 2253
Referee: Salvatore Racalbuto

Melfi (4-4-2)
Nicoletti -
Marciano - Patarini - Cuomo - Avolio
Selvaggi - Rodio - Cammarota (c) - Gravante
Lauria - Roberto

Goals:
1:0 Lauria (8')
1:1 (12' - penalty)
2:1 Roberto (43')
2:2 (65')
2:3 (77')

MoM:
Manuel Errante (ST, Acireale, matchwinner with two goals)

Obviously one of the big matches this seasons, as we had the chance to advance in the Serie C Cup against a big name. Sadly we had to play without four starters, three were out with injuries and Doumbia was banned.
Obviously Acireale started very aggressive, because they had to overcome a one goal deficit. After only two minutes they hit the bar. But we stroke back after a very nice counter which Lauria converted. Now we really had the game at our mercy, as we love to play very deep and counter against our opponents. This gameplan was partly undone when Marciano, who had a horrible night, committed a penalty after 12 minutes. Still we played a perfect first half which was capped by another lovely goal just before the break. Now we lead 4-2 on aggregate and hopes at Sant'Abruzzese were very high.
Second half was another game as the visitors were trying to take the game away. And they did well doing that. Making some defensive substitutions didn't keep them from creating chances and equalizing the game. My guys simply became tired after the hard match against Marcianese just four days ago. They kept fighting but the third goal by Acireale was no surprise. The lone shot we had came after 83 minutes, when Marciano almost scored with a direct corner.
Sad we were eliminated, but we really had two very good displays against Acireale. Also sad, because our financial situation is not good. Now full focus on the league!

zipman

20.11.05 - 15:00 - Erasmo Iacovone, Taranto - Serie C2/C

Taranto 4th (Puglia) - Melfi 2nd 2:0 (1:0)

Dry 20°C
Attendance: 2628
Referee: Aurelio Putzolu

Melfi (4-4-2)
Nicoletti
Marciano - Patarini - Cuomo - Avolio
Rodio - Doumbia - Cammarota (c) - Gravante
Lauria - Roberto

1:0 (17')
2:0 (61')

MoM:
Emanuele Catania (AM RC, Taranto, one goal and one assist)

Another trip down to south to a very old Greek town (founded 706 BC). The pundits wrote we would have absolutely no chance there even if did very well on the road so far. Thankfully we had ten days without game after the cup exit, so that we were almost travelling there on full strength.
The game itself - supposed to be a top match - was very disappointing and also Taranto whose squad contains some Serie A and B loanies didn't play especially well. But their finishing and ball control was today better than mine. They scored during good periods and deserved the victory. Hopefully we can rebound from this loss after our non losing streak of five games came to an end on the coasts of Gulf of Taranto.

zipman

21.11.05 - The Serie C2/C league table

| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1st | | Viterbo | | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 11 | +5 | 20 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2nd | | Taranto | | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 10 | +3 | 20 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 3rd | | Gallipoli | | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 15 | +4 | 18 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 4th | | Igea Virtus | | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 10 | +7 | 18 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 5th | | M e l f i | | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 11 | +5 | 18 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 6th | | Rende | | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 15 | +1 | 17 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 7th | | Real Marcianise | | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 11 | +4 | 16 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 8th | | Latina | | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 15 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 9th | | Cisco Roma | | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 18 | +4 | 15 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 10th | | Potenza | | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 11th | | Nocerina | | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 16 | -2 | 14 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 12th | | Andria Bat | | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 14 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 13th | | Vittoria | | 11 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 12 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 14th | | Vigor Lamezia | | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 15 | -3 | 12 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 15th | | Rieti | | 11 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 10 | -1 | 11 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 16th | | Giugliano | | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 14 | -3 | 11 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 17th | | Modica | | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 24 | -8 | 10 |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 18th | | Pro Vasto | | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 9 |

Elsewhere:

Norwegian Champion: Vålerenga (2nd Ham Kam, 3rd Rosenborg)
Relegated to Div 1: Odd Grenland, Viking
Promoted from Div 1: Stabaek, Strømsgodset
Relegated to Div 2: Tønsberg, Hødd, Løv-Ham, Alta
Promoted from Div 2: Ørn-Horten, Raufoss, Haugesund, Tromsdalen
Cup: Lyn - Rosenborg 1:0

zipman

27.11.05 - 15:00 - Sant'Abruzzese, Melfi - Serie C2/C

Melfi 5th - Nocerina 11th (Campania) 0:0

Dry 21°C
Attendance: 1904
Referee: Nicolò Calò

Melfi (4-4-2)
Nicoletti
Fumagalli - Marciano - Cuomo - Avolio (c)
Rodio - Doumbia - Esposito - Gravante
Lauria - Rubino

MoM:
Gianmarco Rodio (DM C, Melfi, rather solid in defence winning all tackles and headers)

After two defeats in a row Nocerina (neighbour town to Pompei) came to town and we knew it wouldn't be an easy game. I went back to my preferred defensive line-up, while I gave Gravante another chance at playmaker. Young Rubino who signed a new contract during the week and did well for my Under 20's got the start as striker.
The game was a bore with Nocerina being the better team. The few quality chances they had in first half (I had none) were saved by Nicoletti, who was a key signing in summer. My best striker Lauria was fouled badly and had to be substituted during second half.
Gravante once more created nothing as playmaker, so I switched him with Doumbia at half time, which led to more offensive play by my side. Rubino was not visible as well and was substituted with Roberto, who was as bad and collected a stupid yellow card. We created some half chances after standards, but the game was alltogether a big bore. After those two defeats I'm not that sad about this result.
Next week La Porta should be big enough to return as playmaker. Thankfully!

zipman

04.12.05 - 15:00 - Stadio della Caitina, Modica - Serie C2/C

Mocica 17th (Sicilia) - Melfi 5th 0:4 (0:2)

Wet 16°C
Attendance: 2045
Referee: Johannes Donati

Melfi (4-4-2)
Nicoletti
Fumagalli - Marciano - Cuomo - Avolio (c)
Rodio - Doumbia - La Porta - Gravante
Lauria - Roberto

Goals:
0:1 Lauria (5')
0:2 Roberto (43')
0:3 Lauria (61')
0:4 Montano (87' - penalty)

MoM:
Federico Lauria (ST, Melfi, Il Federico Magico, two more goals for him)

Another very long train trip to Sicily. But somehow we kind of enjoy those trains, and we certainly enjoy the south. So we enter the train optimistic, also because La Porta is back on track. Modica is low in the table, having a decent attack and a loudy defense.
The gaffer is a bit surprised because I start Doumbia and Gravante, and give them the order to switch positions. Also Roberto gets another start. These moves should pay off. After 63 seconds we score, but the goal was ruled off due to a non-existant off side. But three minutes later Magic Lauria scores. We let the hosts come, but we could hit at least three more in the first half on counters. The game goes exactly as I want our road games to go.
Second half the exactly same picture. Modica has the ball almost exclusively (59 %), but they create only two good chances in the whole game, while we had nine. My offense has a perfect day, and Modica is frustrated, creating even a penalty right before the whistle. My best game since I'm at Melfi.
We are leading the "away" table with a 4-1-2 record, while we are just 11th at home.
During the week I did some contract negotiations, but have a hard time to sign some key players. What should I do: rape my wage budget, risk some key players move for free, or lighten the depth of my squad even more? Rodio and Marciano are my most serious problems. Both are absolute key players in defense.

retired_bbcarr

Loeffle, with your tables, if you put {code} before it and {/code} after it (only using [ instead of {) then they'll turn out all pretty and nicely lined up :thup:

Your story's a good read though :thup: