Latest Result: Sunday 19th June 2005
SORRENTO WIN PLAY-OFF FINAL!
In a tense two-legged Play-Off Final, Sorrento finally overcame major rivals Savoia to book their
place in Serie C/2 for the 2005-06 season.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Sorrento cancelled out the difference with style, defeating Savoia 3-1 at home with a goal from Giulio Russo and a brace from 19 year old Antonio Zito.
It was looking tough for Sorrento once Savoia had scored a 34th minute goal through di Bonita, pushing the aggregate scoreline to 3-1 in Savoia's favour. A free-kick just inside the Savoia half
was floated superbly into the left hand side of the opponents 6 yard box, and Zito, beating 2 defenders and a goalkeeper in the process, instantly flicked the ball home in the 42nd minute to silence the Savoia fans in the south stand. At 3-2 on aggregate, Sorrento were now back in with a real chance of progression.
Savoia defended terribly for Sorrento's second goal which came deep into first half injury time, as another free kick was punted into the same area of the goal area as Zito's goal, and unmarked Russo - the tallest of Sorrento's players - latched onto the free-kick and headed the ball into the top-left hand corner of the Savoia goal. 'The Russian' tore off his shirt and promptly ran the length
of the field to the north stand and to the Hell's Army, who, as you can imagine, were fairly exuberant!
HALF TIME: Sorrento 2 Savoia 1 (3-3 agg)
There was an element of farce for Sorrento's third and ultimately winning goal. A ball was cleared from Sorrento's half, apparently harmlessly into the Savoia half, and was met by Alfreta (the Savoia goalkeeper) who hoofed it back up-field. The ball was immediately headed back up field to Zito who coolly controlled the ball on his thigh, turned and launched the ball at the Savoia goal. The ball at first appeared to have been ill-struck as it bounced
before it even reached the penalty spot.
Perhaps judging Sorrento's astro turf incorrectly (I'm being kind), Alfreta jumped for the bouncing ball but it cleared his grasp and floated nonchalantly into the back of the Savoia net for the third time that afternoon - closely followed, somewhat hilariously, by Alfreta who'd launched himself headfirst into the back of his own net, no doubt in an effort to show willing. Incredibly, Sorrento had turned a 3-1 home deficit into a 4-3 lead. A lead they'd retain for the rest of the match, and a lead that took them to Serie C/2 glory!
Latest Result: Sunday 15th May 2005
Puteolana 1 Sorrento 1
Attendance: TBC
Well, before kick-off Sorrento had the chance, for what it was worth, of perhaps
finishing only one point behind Champions Real Marcianise - provided Real lost. Real DID lose, but Sorrento managed only a
disappointing draw against a Puteolana side that was virtually already relegated before today (only a 19-0 win AND a Scafatese loss would have saved them). However, saying all that,
team coach La Scala wouldn't have wanted to have picked up any needless injuries prior to June's play-offs, particularly as 2nd place had been
secured with last week's victory. The Sorrento goal came from last week's scorer; Adam Hering.
PLAY-OFF NEWS:
Sorrento vs Lavello
Savoia vs Sangiuseppese
The ties will be played over 2 legs on June 6th and June 12th, with the final presumably on the 18th. For the record the two matches the teams have played this year both ended with Sorrento wins; 1-0 at home and 2-0 away just a fortnight ago. FINGERS CROSSED!
Latest Result: Sunday 8th May 2005
Sorrento 1 Battipagliese 0
Attendance: TBC
Sorrento again made very hard work of this match against already relegated Battipagliese, leaving it up to
new-boy Adam Hering to score his debut for his new club in the 76th minute. Hering, who has signed from Polish side Orleta Reda, came on shortly after the second half had begun to replace fellow-midfielder Giovanni Marciano.
A goal kick by Serra, the Battipagliese 'keeper, was picked up in the centre circle by Luigi Pezzella who then splayed the ball out right to Alberico Guariglia. Guariglia's resulting shot was only parried into the path of Hering who shot home from close range. Hering was injured in the process and somewhat hysterically shoved away team-mate Teta who had gone to see how he was!
With long-term League leaders Real Marcianese winning at home to Matera 2-0, they claim the Championship and will be promoted. Lucky buggers.
Latest Result: Sunday 1st May 2005
Lavello 0 Sorrento 2
Attendance: TBC
Sorrento left it late before confirming the three vital points away at fellow play-off rivals Lavello. With Ripa finding his boots once more after 15 minutes, it was up to Guariglia to guarantee
Sorrento's win in the 85th minute. It turned out to be an inspired substition by manager La Scala, when he took off Russo in favour of Guariglia after the hour mark.
By then, Lavello were already down to 20 men after the dismissal of Manco for a second bookable offence. This win guaranteed runners-up spot for Sorrento, being 7 points ahead of Savoia in third, with only 2 games left to play. Unfortunately, this counts for little, as Sorrento will still have to go through the
play-off torment before they can dream of Serie C football next season.
Latest Result: Sunday 24th April 2005
Sorrento 1 Acerrana 0
Attendance: 700
The single goal on the half hour mark by Pietro Cascone was enough for Sorrento
to clock up three vital points and ensure the club will feature in the Serie C play-offs this season. Today also saw the relegation of Battipagliese, whom Sorrento play in a fortnight, from Serie D to Eccellenza Regionale.
With title hopefuls Real Marcianise being held to a 1-1 stalemate by 13th place Viribus Unitis, Sorrento are now only 6 points behind, with 9 points up for grabs for both teams. This still leaves
Real in the driving seat of course, needing only one more win (their goal difference is substantial), but it makes for an exciting end to the season, as if it wasn't exciting enough already!
Latest Result: Sunday 17th April 2005
Real Marcianise 1 Sorrento 1
Attendance: 2,000
On the face of it, an excellent away point to the long-term League leaders, particularly as Sorrento came back from 1-0 down to equalise through Michele Solimene on the hour mark. Solimene hasn't scored for Sorrento since the 3-0 victory over Matera way back in November after starting off the season in fine form. With
the other four promotion hopefuls all winning today, Sorrento still have work to do (though not much) to ensure a play-off zone spot for the dream of Serie C football in 2005-06.
Sangiuseppese in particular are now breathing down Sorrento's neck for the runners-up spot, and are now only 3 points behind the red and blacks. Sorrento play mid-table Acerrana next week in a game which could well seal a play-off place. With 12 points still up for grabs, and Sorrento still 8 points behind Real Marcianise, it's a pity Sorrento couldn't have gone into the last few games only 6 points behind the leaders.
After putting that crazy run of draws behind them and converted draws into wins, Sorrento have now once again slipped back into the stalemates, picking up only 3 points in 3 games, and have now clocked up an impressive 13 draws this season.
Latest Result: Sunday 10th April 2005
Sorrento 1 Turris 1
Attendance: 1,800
Another laclustre performance from the Sorrentines against a relegation play-off zoned Turris team, as the
pressure mounts to remain in their own play-off battle. Going 1-0 down to 38th minute penalty, Sorrento got back into the match in the 54th minute - again through a penalty, Russo getting it passed subsitute keeper Coppola after Lucenti had been sent off for a
second bookable offence. This draw - the 12th of the season! - keeps Sorrento in 2nd place behind Real Marcianise who dropped points against relegation possibles Boys Caivanese.
Latest Result: Sunday 20th March 2005
Viribus Unitis 2 Sorrento 2
Attendance: 700
A disappointing result against the mid-table side as
Sorrento lose ground on Real Marcianise who extended their lead over Sorrento to 8 points. All
four goals came in a 16 minute period of the first half at the Somma Vesuviana. Francesco Ripa
got his fourth goal for the Club as Sorrento took the lead in the 12th minute, but were soon pegged
back to 1-1 only three minutes later when Viribus Unitis converted a penalty. Ripa again put
the visitors ahead only four minutes later took make it 2-1 to Sorrento. In the 28th minute though, Esposito for Viribus Unitis got the
equaliser, and that's how the score remained at full-time; 2-2. Of Sorrento's play-off rivals, Sangiuseppese drew, Solofra lost, and Savoia won. The gap between Sorrento and
Real Marcianise is now 8 points, who Sorrento play next month, with only a maximum of 18 points available for the rest of the season.
Latest Result: Sunday 13th March 2005
Matera 0 Sorrento 1
Attendance: 800
A 19th minute penalty by Giulio Russo was all that divided the two teams - despite the gap between Sorrento and Matera in the League. Long-term League leaders Real Marcianise
got back to winning form by overcoming promotion play-off-zoned Solofra 3-1 away, as did 3rd placed Sangiuseppese (4-2 v Acerrana) and also 4th placed Savoia (3-0 v Puteolana). Just outside the promotion play-off zone, 6th placed Lavello could only draw 0-0 with Angri,
thereby creating a 12 point gap between Sorrento and a place OUTSIDE the play-off zone with only 7 games remaining. With Sorrento having to play
mostly lower league opposition for the rest of the season, surely the biggest match of the season will come in a fortnight when Sorrento travel to Real Marcianise for a 1st versus 2nd clash - a real 6 pointer!
Latest Result: Sunday 6th March 2005
Sorrento 4 Boys Caivanese 1
Attendance: 800
This was one of Sorrento's biggest victories of the season so far as the Sorrentines destroyed the
relegation zone side at the Italy Stadium. This was the fourth time the two sides have met this season, twice in the League and twice in the Coppa
Italia, with Sorrento winning three times and drawing 0-0 in the reverse League fixture. Gargiulo put the red and blacks ahead in the 24th minute, and this is how it stayed until half time. Once again though, Sorrento scored soon after the break with
Zito scoring the second as he continues his excellent run of form. The points were virtually assured when Ripa scored his second for the club on the hour, but Caivanese
got back to 3-1 in the 67th minute. Teta got Sorrento's 4th goal a few minutes from time.
In other results, top team Real Marcianise dropped two points after drawing
1-1 with promotion hopefuls Sangiuseppese, 3rd placed Solofra lost 3-1 away to Turris, and 5th placed Savoia were humbled 2-1 away to bottom-side Battipagliese as the relegation certainties
picked up only their second win of the campaign. All in all, some excellent results for Sorrento!
Latest Result: Sunday 27th February 2005
Ariano Irpino 1 Sorrento 2
Attendance: 400
Giulio Russo opened the scoring in the 14th minute,
but unfortunately it was into the wrong net. However, it was Sorrento new boy Francesco
Ripa (who signed from Serie C2 side Potenza this season after playing only one game) who settled
the Sorrento nerves when he equalised just six minutes later. Ripa turned into a real hero right at the death of the first half when
he put Sorrento 2-1 up in the final minute of the half. In other important Serie D games, League leaders Real Mercianise saw off 8th placed Angri to remain
a full 8 points ahead of Sorrento in 2nd place. 3rd placed Solofra beat Viribus Unitis 2-1, and 4th placed Sangiuseppese beat Turris 2-0, but Savoia
lost ground by slipping against Lavello 1-0 at home.
Latest Result: Sunday 20th February 2005
Sorrento 1 Solofra 0
Attendance: 800
Antonio Zito scored his 3rd goal in 3 games against fellow play-off rivals Solofra,
and this time (unlike last week) it was enough to give Sorrento all 3 points. Zito had already rattled
the post in the 33rd minute from a header, but the breakthrough came in the 69th minute. Unfortunately for Sorrento, these fabulous 3 points
were soured with an ankle injury to Crisantemo in the dying minutes of the match and he was duly carted off in an ambulance. Nevertheless, this win keeps
Sorrento firmly in 2nd place and now 4 points clear of Savoia who have a game in hand. The match also saw
the home fans return to their south stand ('Curva Sud') where the South Boys have been positioned since 1945.
Latest Result: Sunday 13th February 2005
Sangiuseppese 2 Sorrento 1
Attendance: 500
Latest Result: Sunday 6th February 2005
Sorrento 1 Angri 0
Attendance: 1,000
A single 7th minute goal from Antonio Zito was enough to see Sorrento
get past one of their biggest rivals in the battle for elusive promotion play-off places. This
was a significant win for Sorrento as 3rd placed Savoia have yet to play their 22nd game,
while another play-off hopeful, Solofra, in 4th place could only draw 1-1 with mid-table Ariano Irpino. Next week, Sorrento travel to Sangiuseppese in what could prove a tricky match. Sorrento look to have gone through their crazy run of drawn games in favour of wins, but the meeting between the two sides earlier on in the season ended 2-2.
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| Antonio ZITO Goal: 7' |
Latest Result: Sunday 30th January 2005
Nuovo Terzigno 0 Sorrento 2
Attendance: 300
The Hell's Army will be dancing in the streets of Sorrento tonight as their boys overcame Terzigno 2-0 - but they left it very late.
Still 0-0 after 80 minutes, it was 19 year old forward Pietro Crisantemo that finally broke the deadlock, but with Sorrento
having so many draws this season, the away support must've been praying hard for that final whistle. However, in injury time Crisantemo popped up again to make it 2-0,
a win which lifted Sorrento back up into 2nd place.
With long-term league leaders Real Marcianise only able to draw with relegation-zone Scafatese, the gap to the top is now 7 points. However, the match between Matera and 3rd placed Solofra was postponed, so Sorrento will be looking over their shoulder at Solofra who have a game in hand but are only 2 points behind. Indeed, the gap between Sorrento and a place OUTSIDE the play-offs is only 4 points. It's getting tense!
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| Pietro CRISANTEMO Goals: 80', 90' |
Latest Result:
SORRENTO 2 SAVOIA 0
(Sunday 23rd January 2005) Attendance: 2,500
Sorrento get back to winning ways and move into 3rd
place with a 2-0 win over play-off zone rivals Savoia, with a 49th minute headed goal from
Pietro Cascone (his debut goal), and Guilio Russo sealing the win in the 81st minute. Play was suspended for a time as the Savoia fans
launched a smoke bomb at the Sorrento 'keeper, Ambra, but he was unhurt. This was a crucial win for the red & black of Sorrento, particularly after last week's disappointment, and keeps Sorrento well up for the Promotion Play-offs.
The Sorrento goal-scorers versus Savoia:
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| Pietro CASCONE 47th min goal |
Giulio RUSSO 81st min goal |
Sorrento play their football in the regionalised league system called Serie D. There are 9 regions in Serie D (all containing 18 teams), with Sorrento being in 'Girone G.'
The next step up from here is Serie C which is actually split into 5 parts (also containing 18 teams each); Serie C1 is the upper level (itself consisting of 2 zones - Girone A & B), while Serie C2 is the lower level (consisting of
Girone A, B, & C.). All of Serie C is known as the Professional League. Above this level is the National Professional League system of Serie A (20 clubs) and Serie B (22 clubs). Serie A is often simply referred to as the 'Football League'. There are actually a further 5 divisions below Sorrento's level in Serie D and these divisions are
called Eccelenza, Promozione, Prima Categoria, Seconda Categoria and Terza Categoria.
A quick background:
