BKN301 Championship: Stefanelli hat-trick sends him top of the scoring charts

Attacks ran riot on Matchday 27: there were as many as 28 goals scored in the third-from-last round of the regular season, 18 of which came in the four fixtures played last night. La Fiorita and Virtus both settled matters in the second half, having reached the interval goalless against Murata and Folgore. The reigning champions broke the deadlock from a corner through Fatica, on target in the 49th minute with a goal helped by an uncertain intervention from Gueye. The second was the result of an unfortunate touch from Costantini, who diverted the ball into his own net, while midway through the half Vitaioli struck the crossbar from the spot with the penalty that could have made it 3-0. La Fiorita move up to 56 points, three off the summit but with a rest round to observe on the final matchday. Virtus break the 50-point barrier, beating Folgore 2-0. Here too, after a goalless first half played out in substantial balance, the match was unlocked at the start of the second period. A splendid move with the ball on the ground from Bizzotto’s men, who carve Folgore open down the Tortori-Buonocunto axis to send Pedrini through on Pollini. The extra pass to Benincasa produces the Neroverdi opener finished by the Bologna-born forward, who only has to tap in. The second comes just over a quarter of an hour later, with the roles in the build-up and finish reversed: this time it is Benincasa who sets up Pedrini’s strike, his second goal of the league campaign. Instead it is 17 league goals that Mattia Stefanelli has moved on to, thanks to last night’s hat-trick. The San Marino striker was the undisputed star of Pennarossa’s authoritative win over Fiorentino and draws level with Prandelli at the top of the scoring charts, boasting an even better goals-per-game ratio. The Biancorosso forward has played four matches and over 200 minutes fewer than his Cosmos counterpart, averaging a goal every 96 minutes. The Chiesanuova club all but wrapped up the victory inside the first quarter of an hour, when Pizzolante’s side raced into a 3-0 lead. The scoring was opened by Zago, before Stefanelli’s tap-in and Cecchetti’s fine curling right-footed effort. In the 35th minute Stefanelli doubled his personal tally by converting a penalty. On the hour mark the fifth was again supplied by the marksman, ruthless with a header from Mezzadri’s wide free-kick. Francelli’s sending-off on 73 minutes sparked a final, proud siege from Fiorentino, during which Molinari grabbed a consolation from the penalty spot. Shortly before the final whistle Filippi also found the net, after pushing forward from the back. There were seven goals as well at the Federico Crescentini Stadium in Fiorentino, where Cailungo claimed a comprehensive 5-2 victory. It was actually Protti’s men – their coach absent through suspension last night – who went in front with a Senja penalty on 10 minutes. Faetano’s reaction was furious, and they levelled on 25 minutes through Ferrario – who then turned provider for Persici’s goal that put them ahead with just over five minutes remaining before the interval. The Gialloblù had the better of proceedings in terms of possession and chances created, but paid a very heavy price for mistakes in both boxes. A rebound allowed Canini to equalise on 53 minutes, before Marinaro picked out the corner with a long-range right-footed strike to restore Cailungo’s lead. Porcellini will want his effort back, and he was not flawless either on Morri’s finish on 84 minutes. In between, a penalty from Mema was saved by an outstanding Benedettini – who produced several decisive interventions, including on the spot-kick that would have made it 3-3 for Faetano. Deep into stoppage time, a solo effort from Canini completed his brace – the Rossoverde forward now has 6 goals in 11 games – and sealed Cailungo’s win, the only side among those battling for eleventh place to pick up points. The task remains rather complicated for Benedettini and team-mates, who face a midweek clash with Cosmos straight after Easter. Here is the full picture of Matchday 27 of the 2022-23 Campionato Sammarinese BKN301:

---