BKN301 Championship: only wins at the top

While awaiting league leaders Virtus – in action tomorrow – both La Fiorita and Murata cut the gap at the top thanks to their respective victories over Folgore and Pennarossa in the early fixtures of the ninth matchday of the BKN301 Championship. The first half alone is enough for Thomas Manfredini’s Gialloblu to set the match on the right track. The opener arrives after just seven minutes and bears the signature of Olcese: the former Libertas forward is picked out perfectly in the box by a Costa cross and heads past Lazzarini. La Fiorita’s marksman then doubles both his and his team’s tally on 18 minutes: Lazzarini miscontrols a back pass from a team-mate, Olcese pounces and beats him from close range. The Montegiardino club’s third goal arrives at the end of the half with a fine run by Matteo Vitaioli, who drives down the left and squares for Alex Ambrosini to finish. After the break the task becomes even harder for Nobile’s Pennarossa when, on 65 minutes, Sehail is sent off for dissent towards referee Delvecchio. La Fiorita can manage their lead with even greater comfort and could have added to it, but in the 90th minute Grassi’s fourth goal is ruled out for offside. It matters little to the Gialloblu, who record a second consecutive win and move to within two points of leaders Virtus. Pennarossa remain bottom of the group, still without a point. Murata also win and keep pace with the frontrunners, resolving the Folgore test thanks to an excellent first half. Angelini’s Bianconeri come flying out of the blocks and are in front after only four minutes: a perfect free kick from Raul Ura which flies straight into the top corner, well out of Venturini’s reach. Murata then double their advantage shortly afterwards: Cunha drives in from the left and plays the ball across for Rodrigues, who controls and then lays it off in the box for the onrushing Santana to smash home for 2-0 to the Bianconeri. That quick one-two sends Folgore to the ropes and, late in the first half, they also suffer the first dismissal of the day, as Fall receives a second yellow and leaves his team a man down. It proves a busy afternoon for referee Delvecchio, who has two more red cards to issue after the break. First it is Vasconcellos (52') who has to leave the pitch early – in the referee’s view guilty of inappropriate language – and shortly after it is the Giallorossonero Sylla (also sent off midweek in the Coppa Titano), who handles the ball while attempting a last-ditch challenge: Delvecchio produces another second yellow and Folgore are down to nine men. Little else happens in the second half; Murata can therefore celebrate a second win on the bounce and move up to 21 points (three behind Virtus). It is a second consecutive defeat instead for Lasagni’s side, who stay ninth in the table. One point apiece for Cailungo and Domagnano in the third early kick-off at 15:00, played in Acquaviva. The deadlock is broken midway through the first half when Giangrandi finds Quaranta in behind with a fine through ball and the forward, with a precise left-footed effort to the far post, puts Denis Iencinella’s side in front. The Giallorossi equalise after the restart (76') when Babboni powers down the left flank, reaches the byline and pulls back for Donati, who beats Nardi first time for 1-1. As with La Fiorita and Murata, Tre Penne and Tre Fiori – both kicking off at 18:15 – also record important wins to stay on Virtus’ heels. Chasing the Neroverdi, Ceci’s side overwhelm Fiorentino 6-0. Despite a bright start from Camillini’s Rossoblu, it is the Biancazzurri from Città who open the scoring on 11 minutes with Badalassi back among the goals: the striker reads Dormi’s perfect pass superbly and, swivelling onto his right, nets his eighth of the league campaign. Dormi then follows up his assist by getting on the scoresheet himself: on 24 minutes the number ten wins the ball, runs at Baizan, cuts inside onto his left and finds the far corner. The club from Città make it three at the start of the second half through an unfortunate own goal by Davide Simoncini, as a corner delivery strikes the San Marino defender’s back and goes in. Tre Penne do not let up and on the hour they make it four, Lombardi heading home – from a Righini free kick – to effectively put the game to bed. Fiorentino are unable to react and the goals keep raining down in Montecchio. On 62 minutes Dormi scores again, this time mesmerising Berardi with some great footwork before rounding him. Joining the Biancazzurri party is captain Nicola Gai, who on 80 minutes makes it 6-0 with a long-range effort that deceives Berardi. Tre Penne thus record their seventh victory, climb to 23 points and move to within just one point of top spot. Tre Fiori also win, though with some late scares, in their clash with San Marino Academy. The first half belongs to the Gialloblu, who score twice in the opening twenty minutes against Matteo Cecchetti’s Titani. The opener arrives on 15 minutes with Ciccione, who latches onto a long ball from midfield, powers through the heart of the Academy defence and beats Battistini with a deft right-footed finish. The second goal comes soon after: Luvisi brings down Cirrottola in the box, the referee points to the spot and Islamaj converts. The Academy, however, do not give in and, as in previous outings, attempt to mount a comeback. The goal that reopens the contest arrives on 83 minutes, when Nicko Sensoli’s free kick catches Nardi out. Tre Fiori roar back and try to close it out shortly after through Volunni, but Battistini and his team-mates survive the Gialloblu’s effort. The Titani push until the very end, yet despite seven minutes of added time they cannot find an equaliser. Tre Fiori celebrate a third straight win and move level with La Fiorita in third place. Here is the picture from the ninth matchday of the San Marino BKN301 Championship, which will conclude tomorrow with three further fixtures – all kicking off at 15:00 and streamed live on Titani.tv:

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