BKN301 Championship: La Fiorita top thanks to late penalty

It was a controversial penalty from Alex Ambrosini that decided the top-of-the-table clash between La Fiorita and Murata. The handball by Peters, after a headed intervention by the same defender according to the Bianconeri backline, was punished by Beltrano – following the indication of Ercolani. If this was meant to be a real test for the outsiders, Murata showed they are fully worthy of the position they have built up so far. Right from kick-off Fatica and Affonso tried their luck, bringing both goalkeepers into play. Gueye proved crucial on Guidi, who a minute later clipped the angle of the goal with a cross that Matteoni had deflected. Midway through the half Ambrosini squandered a gilt-edged chance one-on-one with the opposing keeper, while Murata protested for a challenge by Brighi right on the edge, but inside the penalty area. Gasperoni struck the post on 39 minutes and from the ensuing counter-attack Murata found the net: Rodrigues was unstoppable and squared at exactly the right moment for Affonso. The forward, awarded earlier in the afternoon as BKN301 MVP for September 2023, gave Zavoli no chance, lifting the ball over the advancing San Marino goalkeeper. In the second half La Fiorita put everything right in the space of 70 seconds: it was an own goal by Matteoni, deceived by Guidi’s failure to get a touch, that beat Gueye. The Bianconeri had the ball to regain the lead in the 68th minute through substitute Cunha, who first hit the base of the post with a header and then, with his right foot, could not get the better of Zavoli – already on the ground and aided in his clearance by a perfectly-timed intervention from Brighi. The key incident arrived on 84 minutes and was hotly contested, to say the least: a cross from the right was headed by Guidi and then struck the arm of Peters, who perhaps had glanced it with his forehead just before. It was hard to judge from the footage – and for the referee as well, who was called over by Ercolani and pointed to the spot, awarding the penalty that Ambrosini converted with a diagonal effort to complete La Fiorita’s comeback. Manfredini’s men then wasted another spot-kick with Amati in the 98th minute, but still banked three hugely important points, allowing them to keep pace with Virtus – the two sides now joint leaders with a perfect record. Only one draw was recorded during the afternoon, namely the one between Libertas and San Marino Academy. Cecchetti’s youngsters twice went in front, only to be pegged back by the Granata – who almost completed the turnaround at the photo finish, but for the woodwork denying Matteo Battistini. His namesake Nicolò, in goal for Libertas, was decisive on several occasions but could do nothing about the inch-perfect free-kick from Bortolotto that put the Biancazzurrini ahead in the 38th minute. After the break, Torsani hauled Libertas back on level terms, finishing off a counter-attack after being teed up by Santoni. Ironically, just seconds earlier Giambalvo had been played clean through on goal by D’Addario with a chance to make it 2-0. The San Marino Academy captain was nevertheless involved in the move for 2-1: from his cross, Nicolò Battistini failed to deal with the danger and Argenziano made no mistake, firing home. Libertas replied immediately, restoring parity by exploiting a lack of savvy from their young opponents. A free-kick from three-quarters was taken quickly by Morelli to release Torsani, once again clinical in front of goal. The Biancazzurri protested, claiming first that the ball had been struck while still moving and then that Torsani had freed himself with a foul inside the box. There was no shortage of drama in Montecchio either, although it was all in Cosmos’ favour. Nicola Berardi’s men put an end to their run of three consecutive draws, putting three past Masini. The Cailungo goalkeeper produced several important saves, but he could do nothing about the finish from Prandelli – set up by Ben Kacem. The Moroccan forward then took centre stage, adding two more goals after the interval, showcasing both his blistering pace and his rediscovered composure in front of goal. The woodwork prevented Cosmos from further stretching their advantage, but the result was never really in doubt. It was a different story for Faetano, up against Domagnano today. Pellegrino’s side raced into a 2-0 lead in no time, thanks to a penalty converted by Brisigotti and an excellent run from Terenzi – who lifted a lob over Colonna to make the most of Lisi’s defence-splitting assist. Rossi’s Domagnano – with Ranocchini taking his place on the bench today – found a spark right at the end of the five minutes of first-half stoppage time, pulling one back with a towering header from Babboni on a Gozzi cross. The Giallorosso wide man would go on to be a major protagonist, enjoying his moment of glory after the temporary 2-2 equaliser from Gregori, ice-cool from the spot. Gozzi’s chaotic, scrappy goal, however, only brought about another fragile equilibrium: moments earlier, Terenzi had produced what proved to be the decisive strike. Fourth time lucky for Pellegrino’s Gialloblù: the winning goal came from the bench and bore the signature of Capriotti. The forward reacted quickest to a loose ball in the area, lashing it past Colonna with a powerful half-volley on the turn. This is how things stand after the fifth matchday of the 2023-24 BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese, pending the outcome of the late kick-off in Montecchio:

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