Championship: Cosmos-Libertas abandoned, another tre-goal win for Domagnano

Cosmos-Libertas, the most eagerly awaited match of Sunday, was abandoned. The heavy snow that fell during the first half made the pitch at Montecchio unplayable – after a careful joint assessment by referee Delvecchio and the captains of the two teams. The match, abandoned and postponed to a later date, will be resumed only for the portion still to be played. Specifically, the second half will be played, restarting from the 1-0 lead in favour of Cosmos. Berardi’s men had in fact broken the deadlock on 7 minutes through Tommaso Guidi – quickest to pounce on a loose ball in the Libertas box. The same forward had a great chance to double the advantage just after the half-hour mark, but Zavoli’s low save forced him wide – he then tried a shot from the by-line, with the San Marino keeper coming out on top. Sperindio’s Libertas struggled more to find space going forward: Ben Kacem and Olcese were often caught offside, so that Sapori’s cross-shot on 36 minutes was the best effort for the Borgo Maggiore club, who will have a full half to overturn the deficit accrued on the day. When that will happen is still too early to say. Domagnano claimed an emphatic win, going close to taking the lead against Cailungo after just a few seconds through Fedeli. Quaranta replied with a tame left-footed effort easily gathered by Colonna, while his opposite number Elia Benedettini had to rush desperately off his line at Fedeli’s feet to avert disaster. Which nonetheless arrived from the continuation of that move: Mazzoli swung in a corner that Averhoff may have glanced, certainly deceiving Quaranta who, unfortunately for him, deflected the ball past Benedettini. Domagnano went close to doubling their lead a couple of times before the interval, but Fedeli and Angelini lacked precision. After the restart Cailungo pushed more men forward, but were unable to create real chances to equalise: after two unsuccessful attempts and as many saves with his feet by Benedettini, Domagnano struck again on 71 minutes through Lombardi. An unstoppable burst down the flank to get away from Iuzzolino and then drive inside towards the edge of the area on Lusini’s overlap. His low shot in front of Benedettini was pin-point in its accuracy and the Giallorossi effectively wrapped up the points. Their success also required them to survive two promising raids by Aruci, who came close to halving the deficit. Having emerged unscathed from Cailungo’s onslaught, Domagnano sealed it once and for all on 84 minutes. Iuzzolino’s back-pass held up on the waterlogged pitch, allowing Fedeli to beat Benedettini first time. A hugely important victory for Domagnano, the only side among those battling at the bottom to pick up three points. Pennarossa also slipped to defeat. Up against Tre Fiori, Gori’s Biancorossi suffered a fourth consecutive loss, which has inevitably left Zago and his team-mates hovering just above second-from-bottom. At the “Federico Crescentini” stadium it was Tre Fiori, led from afar by suspended coach Andy Selva, who took control of the game, almost taking the lead on 12 minutes with Rizzo’s clever left-footed free-kick. The Gialloblù’s attacking talisman would go on to be the undisputed star of the match, providing the two decisive assists that secured a return to winning ways. Pennarossa showed themselves with efforts from Zago and Bahi just before the half-hour, but Semprini was not seriously tested. Unlike his counterpart Simone Benedettini, beaten on 39 minutes by Bernardi. Rizzo’s dinked pass was a moment of pure genius, picking out his team-mate’s run between Mezzadri and Vittori; Bernardi then did brilliantly himself, cushioning the ball on his chest before setting it and finishing with his left foot. Just before half-time Dolcini went within inches of making it 2-0, his diving header drifting just wide. In the second half the pitch became extremely slippery due to the snowfall, but unlike at Montecchio there was no need to consider abandoning the game. Thus, on 69 minutes Tre Fiori put the contest to bed: another wide free-kick from Rizzo, who drew a perfect arc for Savino’s run to the far post – his header for 2-0 was flawless. In the closing stages, substitute Gjurchinoski went close to a third from a set piece. Tre points nonetheless went into Tre Fiori’s tally, as they resume their pursuit of La Fiorita and – albeit having played one game more – move to within four points of leaders Tre Penne. Here is the full picture from Matchday 21 of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301:

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