COPPA ACLI (2007/2008): Ambrit 4-2 Santa Caterina

 Was this Ambrit's best performance of the year? Probably. Was this Ale's best match of the year? Definitely. Against a re-worked Santa Caterina of 2007 players + two 'fuori quota', Ambrit kept their shape, played the better football and, in Ale, had a ruthless and clinical finisher up front.

The game started badly: Santa Caterina broke through on the left and shot past Mattia to make it 1-0. But, to Ambrit's credit, they came right back at their opponents immediately. The first goal was a gem. Santiago won the ball in defence, pushed forcefully into midfield, waited for the defenders to commit themselves and then played a perfect pass to Ale, who made just enough space for himself to shoot the ball home.

Not long after Ale received another ball, this one much more difficult to control. But his first touch was good, his second was better and his third made it 2-1. And now Ambrit were reduced to 7 players, the referee rightly sanctioning Santiago's lack of shin pads and socks. Ambrit played the next 12 minutes with one player less but, undeterred, they made it 3-1... this time Ale latching onto the through ball and beating the goalkeeper with a perfectly-judged lob. 3-1, half time and now Santiago was back with his shin pads.

The second half was a war of attrition. A lot of fouls, a lot of shots, a few close escapes at either end, some great saves from Mattia and then a fouth Ambra goal (his 28th of the season). This time it was a long throw from the left that found Ale at the far post. His header came back off the post, then off the keeper and then in.

All this should mean that Ambrit's LAST GAME of the season will be the FINAL of the COPPA ACLI on Sunday morning (19 June).