League: La Fiorita fall, Cosmos are the new leaders

The league has new leaders. On a truly thrilling Saturday, Cosmos return to the top thanks to a comprehensive win over Pennarossa, capitalising on La Fiorita’s sensational slip-up against Domagnano. Before the start of Matchday 20 in the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301, the yellow and blues from Montegiardino were in front by a single point over their green-and-yellow rivals from Serravalle. From this evening Nicola Berardi’s side can celebrate as they now lead La Fiorita by two points. But first things first. This afternoon Cosmos were in action in Domagnano against a Pennarossa side returning from their rest round. The match immediately went Cosmos’ way when Pastorelli, after a short corner from Errico, unleashed a fine strike that flew into the net where Benedettini could not reach it. At the end of the first half Cosmos doubled their lead through their talisman: Matteo Prandelli. The striker, back from suspension, brought down a long throw, controlled and then fired a thunderbolt that beat Benedettini for a splendid 2-0, his 13th goal of the league campaign and consolidating his status as top scorer. Pennarossa were rocked by the double blow from the green and yellows who, at the start of the second half, added a third with Sapucci’s shot from the edge of the area. Nicola Berardi’s team were in total control and, late on, were awarded a penalty. Prandelli stepped up, but Simone Benedettini guessed right and denied the striker his brace. The fourth goal was only a matter of time and it came from young San Marino talent Lorenzo Capicchioni, who tried his luck from distance; this time Benedettini was the villain for his side, failing to hold the shot as it rolled into the net. For Pennarossa it’s a third defeat on the bounce; for Cosmos – as mentioned – a 13th victory that takes them top, although the green and yellows must thank a superb Domagnano and an outstanding Davide Colonna. The match got off to a flying start with La Fiorita taking the lead through Danilo Rinaldi, who headed in a fine cross from Pancotti to break the deadlock. Manfredini’s side appeared to be in control, but at the start of the second half it was Domagnano who found the equaliser: a neat move down the left from Fedeli, who sent the ball into the box; after a series of ricochets it fell to Mazzoli, who made it 1-1. Unsurprisingly, La Fiorita refused to settle and poured forward again. Just a few minutes later the yellow and blues went back in front: a prolonged attacking move in which Colonna started to turn into Superman, producing two superb saves before finally being beaten at the third attempt by Pancotti’s finish. Domagnano, however, did not give up and in the 57th minute Parma whipped in a superb cross for Daniele Babboni, who headed home a precious equaliser to throw the game wide open once more. Just two minutes later came the episode that perhaps changed the course of the match: a handball by Ceccaroli in the area, and the referee pointed to the spot. Abouzziane took responsibility from twelve yards to restore La Fiorita’s lead, but Colonna pulled off the first miracle of his afternoon, saving the number 10’s penalty. As so often happens, that incident fired up Domagnano, who shortly afterwards went in front: yet another cross from Parma on the right towards the far post for Mattia Ceccaroli, who brought it down and hammered a shot inside the near post to beat Vivan for a sensational 3-2. La Fiorita threw everyone forward again and, deep into stoppage time, tried to salvage at least a point. In the 95th minute, in fact, came a second penalty of the day for the yellow and blues – amid furious protests from Domagnano – and Russo stepped up. But Davide Colonna, the undisputed MVP of the day, also kept out this attempt, sparking joy among his team-mates and, naturally, at Cosmos. For Domagnano it is a win that had been missing for over a month, while La Fiorita had not lost in the league since as far back as 22 October (1-0 against Tre Penne). It was also an important victory for Folgore in a topsy-turvy match against San Giovanni. Mami broke the deadlock after just two minutes, capitalising on a mistake by De Angelis. Tognacci’s red and blacks, however, managed to draw level in remarkable fashion: Bruma crossed from the by-line, the entire yellow-and-red-black defence stopped, believing the ball had gone out of play; the referee allowed play to continue and Lisi had no trouble finding the net, amid angry protests from the whole Folgore side. Lepri’s team, though, went back in front shortly before the break thanks to Serafini, who, well picked out on the edge of the box by Sottile, managed to beat De Angelis. At the start of the second half another early goal restored parity: Nicola Sartini met a good ball from the right and, from the edge of the box, beat Pollini. The contest remained wide open until the 88th minute, when Brolli launched long, Bernardi produced an excellent knock-down for Di Marzio, who controlled and then beat De Angelis for the final 3-2 scoreline, allowing Folgore to firmly retain seventh place. Right behind the Falciano side are an excellent Fiorentino, who continue their fine run of form with an eighth consecutive match unbeaten, defeating a Faetano side in deep crisis with a goal in each half. The inevitable Torsani opened the scoring in the fourth minute: Mastrota picked the perfect pass for his team-mate, who used the inside of his foot to beat Porcellini. At the end of the first half Faetano appealed for a penalty for a challenge on Mema, but referee Luci waved play on. In the second half the goal that wrapped things up arrived fifteen minutes from time, once again through Torsani – his eighth league goal – showing great composure to meet Baizan’s fine cross and, from the edge of the area, beat Porcellini for a second time. For Faetano – now with six defeats in their last seven – things went from bad to worse as Mema, Kalemi and Ferrario were all sent off late on. Matchday 20 concludes tomorrow with three late fixtures: all eyes on Tre Fiori v Libertas; Tre Penne face an in-form Murata, while Virtus take on Juvenes-Dogana. All three matches will be broadcast live and free to air, as always, on Titani.tv. The full schedule is as follows:

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