BKN301 Championship, Cosmos win the big match against Tre Penne

Cosmos celebrate, Tre Penne fall. A hugely important goal by Pastorelli on 41 minutes condemns Ceci’s side to their first league defeat of the season. Berardi’s men, on the other hand, win and leapfrog the City side; and while waiting for La Fiorita – in action tomorrow – they move up to second place, just one point behind the yellow and blues of Montegiardino. The twelfth matchday of the BKN301 Sammarinese Championship had its marquee fixture in Acquaviva, and the top-billing clash lived up to expectations. Early on, Ceci are forced to do without Migani, sidelined by back problems that rule him out. Semprini steps in. The tempo is high from the start but the backlines marshalled by the aforementioned Semprini and Simoncini hold firm. The deadlock, however, is broken just before half-time: Zulli crosses from the left towards Prandelli, the powerful header from the yellow-green striker crashes against the post but Pastorelli pounces like a hawk on the rebound and fires home to give Cosmos the lead. Tre Penne react but at the start of the second half it is again Prandelli who goes close, hitting another post. The City side pile on the pressure, but the yellow-greens of Serravalle stand strong and take home a precious victory that allows them to overtake the biancazzurri in the table, with Ceci’s team – as mentioned – forced to suffer their first league defeat (they were the only team still unbeaten in the competition until today). Faetano also return to winning ways after last round’s defeat to La Fiorita, celebrating again thanks to a 3-0 victory over Cailungo. Girolomoni’s side break the deadlock early through Terenzi, quick to finish off a good team move. The yellow-blue’s second comes at the start of the second half, with Ferrario heading in from a corner. The third goal, which definitively wraps up the match, bears the signature of the ever-reliable Mema from the penalty spot. For the Albanian striker it is his eighth goal in the league, keeping him at the top of the scoring charts (level with Merli of Juvenes-Dogana). For Protti’s red and greens it is another defeat, following the good win in the previous round. Libertas also celebrate, beating Juvenes-Dogana and ending a winless run that had lasted for over two months (their last league victory dated back to 8 October). It is also the first win under Sperindio and the third in the league for the maroon side, who open the scoring early through a superb long-range strike from Sapori. Libertas then double their lead from the spot thanks to Olcese shortly before half-time (38’). In the second half the maroons make life complicated for themselves with Merendino sent off for a second yellow card, and Juvenes-Dogana pull one back on 85 minutes through a penalty converted by Davide Merli. But it is not enough for Amati’s side to avoid defeat. The other two early fixtures both end in draws – and with the same scoreline. In chronological order, the Friday night game served up a fine contest between Pennarossa and Fiorentino. Stefanelli opens the scoring from the penalty spot (the Sammarinese forward now has seven league goals), and a few minutes later Fiorentino also have a chance from eleven metres, but Colagiovanni wastes it by firing over the bar. The match is lively with plenty of chances at both ends. Fiorentino find the equaliser right at the death, at 85 minutes, at the end of a prolonged move that ends with Torsani firing home for the final 1-1. San Giovanni vs Domagnano also finishes with a goal apiece, the Saturday afternoon clash on the Montecchio artificial pitch. It is a poor start for the yellow-red Wolves, as Mazzoli is sent off by the referee in the 27th minute. San Giovanni look to make the most of the extra man and break the deadlock after the restart thanks to a fine angled finish from Boldrini. Domagnano refuse to give up and, just before the 90th minute, they level through Fedeli, who makes it 1-1 with a header. There will be only two games tomorrow, but both will feature top sides: league leaders La Fiorita face Murata as they chase yet another victory; while Virtus – up against Folgore – will be looking not to lose ground in the upper reaches of the table. As always, everything will be live on Titani.tv.    

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