The Audace Cerignola secured a narrow victory over Casertana, triumphing 1-0 at the Stadio Alberto Pinto on Monday night, consolidifying their position at the top of the Serie C Girone C standings. The decisive moment came from Ismail Achik, who scored the lone goal of the match after coming on as a substitute.
With the win, Cerignola climbed to the top of the table with 51 points, benefiting from other teams’ missteps, including Benevento's draw against Juventus NG and Avellino's loss to Foggia. On the flip side, the defeat left Casertana just above the relegation zone at 27 points, facing mounting pressure as they look to escape the bottom of the standings.
The match began with both teams cautiously setting the pace, resulting in relative parity throughout the first half. Casertana showed signs of life just before halftime, creating their best opportunity when Massa’s beautifully curled shot narrowly missed the target, hitting the outside of the post.
After the break, the intensity increased, with Casertana appearing more determined to find the back of the net. They made tactical adjustments, with manager Pavanel changing the formation to bring on Heinz to strengthen the defense and move Kallon closer to the attacking front.
Cerignola, maintaining their composure, began to push forward more frequently and executed their game plan effectively. At the 34-minute mark of the second half, Achik, who had just been introduced, took advantage of the Casertana defense faltering and unleashed a stunning shot from outside the box. The ball sailed past Casertana’s goalkeeper, Zanellati, giving Cerignola the lead.
Following the goal, Casertana pressed hard for the equalizer, forcing several frantic plays. Their efforts became increasingly desperate as the match wound down, leading to two near-misses late on. A header from Collodel struck the crossbar, and another chance resulted in the ball hitting the post just before the final whistle.
Throughout the match, Casertana’s players were vocal, appealing for penalties on two separate occasions when Llano was brought down, but their protests were unheeded, leading to frustration and even the ejection of their sporting director, Taldo, for dissent.
Reflecting on the match, Pavanel acknowledged his team's struggles, stating, “We didn’t manage to convert our possession advantages and seemed confused up front. Although we defended well, we lacked clarity when it came to capitalizing on our chances.”
Cerignola’s coach, Raffaele, was pleased with the result, praising Achik for his impactful performance. “His goal today was brilliant. It's great to see players stepping up when it matters most. The squad is functioning well, and we aim to maintain this momentum as we head forward,” he said.
With this victory, the Audace Cerignola boast four consecutive wins, putting them comfortably at the summit of the table. They’ll look to continue their winning streak against their next opponent, which will be Turris, as Casertana turns their focus toward their upcoming match against Catania on February 16.
This match showcased the stark difference between both clubs’ seasons so far. While Cerignola continues to gather momentum and strive for promotion, Casertana remains embroiled in the battle against relegation. The outcome underlined the importance of converting chances when they arise, something Casertana must improve on if they hope to turn their season around.