BKN301 Championship: Virtus fall as Cosmos reopen the title race

It seemed they were simply incapable of losing, but in the end Virtus too have to come to terms with their first defeat of the season. The Acquaviva side are brought to a halt – and a rather abrupt one – after fourteen wins from as many games this term, eleven of which in the league. It is Cosmos who inflict the first defeat on Bizzotto’s men, effectively reopening the battle at the top. Forced at the very last moment to do without Tortori as well, Virtus concede for the first time at the end of the first half, when Mularoni picks out Zulli at the far post and it takes little effort for him to send the ball past Passaniti. The ever-reliable Prandelli doubles the lead at the start of the second half from a corner, stunning the Neroverdi, who shortly afterwards also ship a third. And this last goal is a moment of brilliance – a curling left-footer from the edge of the area that “dies” near the far top corner – signed by Momo Ben Kacem. Thus Cosmos rack up a fourth straight win and pile the pressure on Murata and Tre Fiori, who face each other tomorrow in a direct showdown. Tre Penne make full capital from the leaders’ first slip, overcoming Folgore thanks to two penalties in quick succession, both converted by Imre Badalassi. The only sour note for Ceci is the red card shown to Nigretti just a few minutes after the second goal. Both Domagnano and Fiorentino get moving again in the table, settling their head-to-head at the "Crescentini" with a draw. In truth, the point puts a bigger smile on the face of the Giallorossi, who manage to snatch the equaliser at the very end of added time. The lively second half contrasts with a first period short on emotion, lit up only by Niang’s goal: as usual unstoppable in one-on-one situations and ice-cool in front of Colonna. After the interval, it takes Domagnano no time at all to restore parity: credit to the coolly taken spot-kick by Gregori. Costantini’s close-range touch puts Fiorentino back in front, a lead that vanishes in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Gozzi’s perfect header from a cross delivered by Merendino’s cultured left foot fixes the final score at 2-2. In one of the two 18:15 kick-offs comes La Fiorita’s immediate reply to Tre Penne’s victory, which had temporarily moved them into second place. Manfredini’s side also take maximum advantage of Virtus’ defeat: they are now just two points off the summit. San Marino Academy hold their own against the Gialloblù, who break the deadlock just after the half-hour mark thanks to Ambrosini’s chip. Rinaldi’s precise diagonal effort – off the post and in – doubles the advantage, which is then cut back to the minimum when, only a few moments later, Nicko Sensoli produces the second lob of the evening, allowing Cecchetti’s side to believe again in getting a result and taking the number 11 – captain for the day – to four league goals. La Fiorita, however, do not wobble; indeed, in stoppage time they wrap up a fourth win on the bounce thanks to a counter-attack started and finished by Grandoni, with an intelligent final ball from Jacopo Semprini, who had only come on a few minutes earlier. On the other pitch, at Montecchio, San Giovanni record a thumping 5-0 derby win over Cailungo. Tognacci’s team dip into their box of tricks for the first two goals: 1-0 comes from a long-range stunner by Boldrini, while the second is a moment of genius, a back-heel from Nicola Sartini. The third, from Aprea, is more orthodox but still well taken: picked out in the area by Nicola Sartini, he does very well to round the onrushing goalkeeper before rolling the ball into the net. On the hour mark, Boldrini makes it four and completes his brace with a free-kick, while the final touch on the Rossoneri’s second win in a row is applied by D’Angeli, clinical in his one-on-one with Masini after a long ball from Boldrini. This is the situation for Matchday 12 after Saturday’s early fixtures:

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