BKN301 Championship: Amati strike sends La Fiorita top

After the wins for Cosmos and Tre Fiori in the early fixtures, La Fiorita were under pressure to respond in the big match with Libertas on Matchday 9 of the BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese. The response did come, albeit just a few minutes from time, and Amati’s goal proves decisive as it sinks the Granata and sends the Gialloblù back to the top of the table with a two-point cushion over their closest challengers. Things seemed to start well for Lasagni’s men when, after just a few minutes, Pancotti hit the crossbar. However, for long spells little or nothing happened and the minutes ticked away. Lasagni turned to his bench, and the changes proved decisive. Shortly after the hour mark Amati and Tommaso Zafferani came on: the former latched onto the assist from the latter, who after a fine run set up the midfielder, who from just inside the area drilled past Zavoli on 85 minutes. Three goals and three points for Virtus, who extend their positive run and move into the upper reaches of the table. One half is enough for Luigi Bizzotto’s side to see off Cailungo. The first goal for the Neroverdi arrives on 13 minutes, with Sopranzi running onto a long ball from three-quarters and then beating Benedettini. The lead is doubled from the penalty spot by Buonocunto (36'), then shortly before the half-time whistle Battistini delivers an excellent cross to the far post for Angeli, who heads in the third. At the start of the second half Cailungo react and try to get back into it: from a corner, Passaniti comes out with his fists, the ball rebounds off Bara, who finds the net for 3-1. It is not enough though for Christian Protti’s side to reopen the contest, and Virtus can celebrate. It was a topsy-turvy match between Pennarossa and Faetano. The Chiesanuova side broke the deadlock early thanks to the ever-reliable Ben Kacem, who with a fine left-foot strike from distance beat Porcellini. The first half belonged to the Biancorossi, and on 22 minutes Zago came close to doubling the lead, but his shot clipped the crossbar. Faetano did not give up and early in the second half drew level from the penalty spot through Mema. Shortly afterwards the woodwork was struck again: first by Stefanelli for Pennarossa, then once more by Mema for Faetano. In the final quarter of an hour Farabegoli’s team had two players sent off: first Arrigoni (74') and then Daniele Conti (90'), both for a second yellow card. Down to nine men, Pennarossa tried to hold on but with the match almost over Zago handled the ball in the area, and the referee pointed to the spot. Once again Mema stepped up and was flawless from twelve yards, completing his brace and sparking wild celebrations among his team-mates. For Faetano this is a fourth consecutive victory, while Pennarossa have now gone almost two months without a win (their last success came against Folgore on 17 September). Now comes an almost two-week break, due to the double engagement of Fabrizio Costantini’s National Team in back-to-back friendlies against Saint Lucia. The league will resume on Friday 25 November with Matchday 10.    

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