Novara Calcio 3 : 0 Cesena - Rigoni ensures Novara sign off in style

Posted Sunday, May 06, 2012 by PA

Marco Rigoni scored a hat-trick as Novara marked their last home game in Serie A for a season at least with a convincing 3-0 win over fellow relegated side Cesena.

Rigoni scored two penalties, one in each half, before completing his treble in the 86th minute.

The striker could have had even more goals, but shot against a post when the game was goalless.

The visitors had the first sight of goal with Vincenzo Rennella shooting wide from outside the area.

At the other end Giuseppe Mascara had a low effort saved well by Francesco Antonioli, while Cesena's Mario Santana was twice off target from long range.

Rigoni's first chance came in the 26th minute when he got on the end of an Andrea Caracciolo header inside the area, but shot against a post.

He had to wait only two more minutes for the opening goal, though, scoring with a penalty low into the left corner after Giuseppe Colucci had fouled Jeda.

Rigoni had another effort, but his low shot from the centre of the area was saved by Antonioli.

Santana fired narrowly over the top as Cesena looked to respond after the break, with Roberto Guana twice going close with shots from outside the area.

But the hosts continued to look the more threatening and Caracciolo's header hit a post.

And they doubled their lead in the 68th minute with another penalty from Rigoni.

This time Steve von Bergen was penalised for handball and Rigoni dispatched the spot-kick low into the bottom right corner.

Michel Morganella was inches away from adding a third only to become the third Novara player to hit the woodwork when his close-range effort came back off the post.

But Rigoni did complete his treble in the 86th minute as he converted from close range.