BKN301 Championship: Libertas run riot, narrow win for Murata

Two wins of completely different nature in yesterday evening’s early kick-offs of the 28th matchday of the BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese. Libertas swept aside Pennarossa with a stunning 7-0, while Murata edged Fiorentino in a finely balanced clash with major play-off implications. Sperindio’s side, already sure of a post-season spot and firmly in sixth place, claimed a third consecutive win in a one-sided contest. The deadlock was broken on 13 minutes by Lorenzo Gasperoni’s first goal of the season: a long-range effort that slipped through Benedettini’s hands to give the Maroons the lead. Just after the half-hour mark, Barlafante produced a great solo run that ended with a shot against the post, but on the rebound captain Olcese was on hand to make it 2-0. Only a few minutes later, the script was practically repeated: Barlafante, one of the standout performers in the first half, earned a penalty after a coming together in the box with Daniele Conti, and Olcese converted from the spot for Libertas’ third. The pattern didn’t change after the restart; if anything, Borgo Maggiore’s side turned up the tempo even more. On 50 minutes, Ben Kacem – on at half-time for Barlafante – unleashed a powerful strike from distance after a pass from Lorenzo Gasperoni, beating Boujir (who had also come on at the start of the second half in place of Simone Benedettini) for 4-0. Things went from bad to worse for Pennarossa, who were soon reduced to ten men after a straight red card for Mattia Stefanelli for a bad reaction on Pesaresi. The game became increasingly straightforward for Libertas, who found a fifth shortly after the hour mark when Ben Kacem burst away on a rapid counter-attack and, on the edge of the box, tried to square the ball to Bucci; Vittori intercepted but turned it into his own net. A brace for the former Pennarossa and Fiorentino man was just around the corner and arrived on 69 minutes, when Perretta picked out the Maroons’ striker, who rounded Boujir and slotted in for 6-0. Libertas didn’t stop there and, just two minutes later, Kuqi also got on the scoresheet, quick to pounce on Boujir’s short parry from a Perretta effort and beat the young biancorosso goalkeeper. With the job thoroughly done, Libertas managed the game and brought home all three points. For Pennarossa, however, all is not yet lost, because despite the defeat they remain in 11th place – the last position that grants access to the post-season – three points clear of San Giovanni, who face La Fiorita today. A precious win instead for Murata in the other early kick-off yesterday evening against Fiorentino. The match in Montecchio was much more hard-fought and was unlocked on the half-hour mark of the first half: Gaiani spotted Gega’s run in behind and picked him out perfectly, the black-and-white winger drove into the gap and finished past the advancing Bianchi with his right foot. Angelini’s side were the better team before the break, but Fiorentino drew level just seconds into the second half: once again it was Alessandro Torsani, the Rossoblu’s go-to man, who with a solo move scored his 14th league goal of the season to secure a valuable equaliser. Murata, though, refused to settle. Angelini made what would be the only but decisive substitution of the match: Comuniello on for Valentini, and the number 10, just a few minutes after coming on, won a crucial penalty in the 72nd minute after contact in the box with Calzolari. It was not Comuniello who stepped up, but Raul Ura, who kept his cool and beat Bianchi to restore Murata’s lead. Late on, Comuniello again threatened, but Bianchi denied him, although Fiorentino were unable to find a way back into the game. Murata could therefore celebrate, and with this victory Angelini’s men climb to tenth place on 26 points (four ahead of San Giovanni). For the Rossoblu, on the other hand, a miracle would now be needed to reach the post-season: Malandri’s side are second from bottom on 20 points, five adrift of 11th place. This evening there will instead be as many as five games in the late fixtures, which will complete the midweek programme of the 28th matchday. All eyes will be on the long-distance duel between Tre Penne (away to Folgore in Montecchio) and Cosmos (visiting Cailungo in Dogana). All matches will kick off at 21:15 and will be shown live and exclusively on Titani.tv. Here is the full programme for the 28th matchday of the BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese:

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