League: Cosmos and La Fiorita hit seven, Fiorentino come from behind against Murata

With an average of five goals per game in the four opening fixtures of the final matchday of the first half of the season, it is fair to say there was no shortage of excitement on San Marino’s pitches. Starting in Montecchio, where Cosmos swept aside an unfortunate Faetano side coached again by Girolomoni – recalled to replace Pellegrino in the dugout. Ben Kacem once again showed his excellent form, breaking the deadlock with a header from a Zulli cross. A couple of minutes later Loiodice doubled the lead, while Zulli struck twice more before the interval. After the break there was glory for Pastorelli as well, with a left‑footed rocket into the corner, and for Berardi – set up by substitute Prandelli after a defensive howler. The first goal of the second half, however, came from Thomas Sapori, who marked his debut in yellow and green, following his spell at Libertas, with a goal. There was little to salvage for Faetano: a few fine saves by Manzaroli and Sperandio’s goal for a temporary 1-3, created by Brisigotti. The latter hit the base of the post late on and Terenzi – with the goal gaping from the rebound – failed to hit the target. Cosmos sit third in the standings, at least until tomorrow. Moving away instead from the very top positions is Murata, pegged back by a Fiorentino side without Niang but still able to claim their fifth win of the season. Toccaceli opened the scoring with a spectacular strike that left Simone Benedettini rooted to the spot. The much‑anticipated derby with his cousin Elia fell through; Elia has just joined Angelini’s Murata, who today preferred Moussa Gueye. The other Gueye, Papa, who plays for Fiorentino, scored the equaliser direct from a free-kick, and shortly before the half‑hour mark Hirsch embarked on a solo run that completed the comeback. The San Marino winger sat Grieco down before rounding the goalkeeper and rolling in the 2-1. There were doubts about Hirsch’s starting position, but none about the sheer quality of his solo effort. In the remaining hour of play the scoreline did not change, despite efforts by Salemme and Ura. The final chance fell to Ferraro, who attempted an overhead kick in the 90’+3, but could not conjure up the magic finish. A second consecutive brace for Pancotti, once again centre stage in Folgore’s win over San Marino Academy. The opener came midway through the first half from the penalty spot, awarded by Delvecchio for a foul by Valli Casadei on Bernardi. From twelve yards, Pancotti opened up his left foot and sent Battistini the wrong way. The second arrived in the 36th minute from a wide free‑kick by Cateni: Angelini’s cushioned header set up Fall, who only had to hit the target from point‑blank range. The Academy were more dangerous after the break, but failed to convert a huge chance through Mattia Sancisi at the start of the second half. And so, at the other end and on the hour mark, Folgore wrapped up the win once more through Pancotti, who finished off a scramble in the box at the end of a counter‑attack he had launched himself. Cecchetti’s boys tried to get back into the game, but saw their 1-3 goal ruled out in the 73rd minute. On Giocondi’s right‑footed effort, Tommaso Famiglietti was onside, but Casadei’s position was penalised. Before full time there was also room for Gori’s strike, as he capitalised on some slack defending and a precise assist from Enrico Golinucci. Libertas tried to get back on track after a January transfer window overhaul – matched, at least, by their opponents Pennarossa. It was a one‑way contest, with the Borgo Maggiore club firmly on top. Polizzi needed just 60 seconds to score his first goal for his new club, aided by a defensive blackout. Muci was on fire, inches away from a wonder goal on 6 minutes and then turning provider for Morelli, who scored from the edge of the area midway through the half. Pennarossa’s timid reaction produced a couple of fruitless goalmouth scrambles, while Libertas made it three right on the stroke of half-time. Muci was unstoppable and pulled the ball back for Bianco, who was fortunate with a rebound in the heart of the area before beating Lazzarini. The usually reliable Pennarossa goalkeeper will not be happy with a fumble in the 70th minute that allowed Argenziano to mark his Libertas debut with the simplest goal of his career. In the final ten minutes Tommaso Nicolini had a constant duel with the opposition goal, without finding his personal reward, denied first by a couple of fine saves from Lazzarini and then by Michelotti’s goal‑line clearance. Before the final whistle, De Biagi scored Pennarossa’s consolation goal with a fine run through the middle. It was a goal Pennarossa had been waiting four games for, their first of the calendar year and their eighth in all competitions – including the Coppa Titano BKN301. In the matches kicking off at 18:15, La Fiorita returned to the top of the table, pending tomorrow’s big clash between Virtus and Tre Penne, which could see Manfredini’s side crowned winter champions. In the 9th minute it was Matteo Vitaioli who opened the long scoring list in the match against Cailungo, heading in Amati’s free‑kick. The Rossoverdi were extremely dangerous from set pieces, but could not find the equaliser. Then, after Gasperoni hit the post from an attacking foray, La Fiorita doubled their lead at the end of the first half through Ambrosini, from close range. A superb save by Morelli on Jacopo Semprini could not prevent a third in added time from Grandoni. The victory was virtually sealed and turned into a rout after the break: Ambrosini completed his brace on the counter on the hour mark, while Gasperoni’s solo effort made La Fiorita’s fourth simply stunning. It was not over yet, as Guidi curled in a fantastic right‑footed strike from the edge of the box, while Greco crashed an effort against the crossbar on his second debut in Montegiardino. Finally, in the 86th minute, Guidi almost walked the ball into the net to put his name to the final 7-0 scoreline. The match in Acquaviva between San Giovanni and Juvenes-Dogana was balanced and fascinating. There was a quick exchange of blows from corners, producing Robba’s opener and the equaliser from Giacomo Valentini. The San Giovanni side went back in front at the start of the second half, when Eric D’angeli’s precise diagonal – against his former club – struck the post before bouncing over the line behind Gentilini. The Juvenes-Dogana goalkeeper then produced a stunning save with his foot to keep out what looked a certain goal from Aprea, preventing a possible 1-3 and, indirectly at least, laying the foundations for his side’s comeback. The turnaround took shape in the 73rd minute thanks to Gianmaria Borghini, who did well to lift the ball over the onrushing De Angelis. The match, full of chances and in the balance right up to the final whistle, ultimately went the way of Serravalle, thanks to Colonna’s clinical edge, pouncing on an error by De Angelis, who let a seemingly harmless ball slip from his grasp. San Giovanni’s final forcing did not yield the late dramatic equaliser, so Juvenes-Dogana were able to celebrate drawing level on points with their opponents on the day, just three points off seventh place. This is the partial picture of Matchday 15, the last round of the first half of the season, which will be completed with tomorrow’s two late fixtures – all once again live for free, with Italian commentary, on TITANI.TV:

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