League: Folgore new leaders, La Fiorita win thanks to two own goals

With a goal in each half, Folgore defeat San Marino Academy and remain – for one night – alone at the top of the Campionato Sammarinese. In today’s matches of the fourth round, there were wins (the first in this campaign) both from behind for La Fiorita and Pennarossa – against Domagnano and Fiorentino respectively.

We start with the clash at the “Federico Crescentini” in Fiorentino between Folgore and Academy. Ricci’s side make the brighter start and already on 6 minutes go close through a thunderous strike from Ura, brilliantly kept out by a superb reflex save from Amici. Folgore press on in search of the lead: a fine ball from Ura picks out Augusto Garcia Rufer, who bursts through the Academy defence and unleashes a powerful effort, but the woodwork saves Amici. Academy try to hold firm and in the 24th minute it takes another miracle from Amici, again on Ura, who from an excellent position in the box cannot find a way past the San Marino goalkeeper. Shortly after the half-hour, though, Folgore make the breakthrough: Fabbri wins his duel with Renzi and, once into the area, squares the ball where Augusto, right on the offside line, manages to break the deadlock with his third goal of the competition. The Falciano club push for a cushion and on 56 minutes come very close: the ever-decisive Amici denies Azael Garcia Rufer and, from the same move, his brother Augusto hits his second woodwork of the day. The match remains delicately poised with Folgore’s slender lead, but in the 70th minute Academy’s hopes of a comeback suffer a major blow when Montali – after a heavy clash with Toure – is sent off with a straight red card. Folgore fail to make the extra man count and, in fact, in the 81st minute numerical parity is restored when De Nicolò receives his second yellow. In the closing stages, however – after Adami Martins has a goal disallowed on 86 minutes – Folgore strike again to wrap up the contest. In the 90+2nd minute, a precise header from Raschi from a Pierri assist seals a 2-0 victory. Folgore maintain a perfect record and move clear at the top, pending Tre Penne’s game tomorrow.

First league win instead for La Fiorita under new coach Andy Selva, who triumphs from behind and with the help of two remarkable own goals in the Acquaviva clash with Domagnano. Montegiardino’s side lay down a marker immediately, as after just two minutes Enchisi’s header seems destined for the net but Rigoni’s intervention is crucial. The opening spell belongs to La Fiorita, with Domagnano sitting off the Gialloblù. As the minutes pass, though, the Giallorossi gain ground and start to threaten. The Wolves grow into the game and even break the deadlock on 42 minutes: a good team move from Amati’s side ends with Rigoni’s cross from the by-line towards Ambrosini, who cannot quite connect from point-blank range, but the ball reaches the far post where Simone Santi makes no mistake. Having fallen behind, La Fiorita attempt to react but without success, and the interval arrives with Domagnano in front. Selva throws Serges into the fray, a change that will prove decisive for La Fiorita. The Gialloblù show a different attitude after the restart and around the hour mark they manage to level. It is Serges himself who lets fly from the edge of the area with a fine left-footed strike that crashes against the post; the ball then rebounds off Fusco’s foot and ends up in the net for an unfortunate own goal by the Giallorossi player. Serges continues to be a menace down the left flank, as in the 68th minute, but Maggioli manages to avert the danger. The move that decides the match comes in the 87th minute: from a Domagnano attacking move, La Fiorita win the ball back with Imola, who releases Bonetti; Perazzini gets to the ball ahead of the striker – and former team-mate – and from the halfway line opts for a back-pass towards Maggioli. The Giallorossi captain fails to realise his goalkeeper is out of position and with a wicked trajectory the ball finishes in the net for an incredible own goal. In stoppage time, with Domagnano fully committed forward, there is room for Bonetti to try to put the game to bed, but the La Fiorita forward hits the crossbar with a delightful lob over Maggioli. Despite a few anxious moments, La Fiorita manage to take home their first league win (2-1).

After three defeats, Pennarossa also taste victory for the first time in the competition. Costantini’s side – featuring several former Fiorentino players – come from behind to win 3-1 against Fiorentino. The first half is evenly balanced, with few chances at either end. One of the best falls to Fiorentino just before the break following an excellent exchange between Ledesma and Pintore; the latter unleashes a powerful effort on target but Cagnina – making his debut in the Pennarossa goal – produces a superb save. After the interval the game is quickly unlocked. It is Fiorentino who strike first when Ledesma, from a free-kick, finds Del Frari; Cagnina parries, but the Rossoblù midfielder is first to the rebound and turns it in. Pennarossa react and shortly afterwards draw level: a brilliant through ball from Marco Evaristi for Mema, who times his run to perfection on the offside line, rounds Benedettini and records his first goal of the league. The equaliser transforms Pennarossa, who soon turn the game around: a thunderous strike from distance by Luca Evaristi, which also takes a slight deflection off Del Frari, leaves Cagnina with no chance and it is 2-1 to Costantini’s side. Ten minutes later Pennarossa score again, once more thanks to a goal from a former Fiorentino player: Belward pounces on a loose ball following a mistake in midfield by Costantini and charges towards goal; the winger then gets the better of Del Frari and shows great determination to beat Benedettini for 3-1. In the closing stages, red cards – one apiece – for Calderone (Pennarossa) and Pintore (Fiorentino) further enliven a second half far more eventful than the first. In the end it is Costantini’s team celebrating, moving up to three points – just one behind Monaco’s Fiorentino, who have collected a single point from their last three matches.

Ahead of the last two fixtures scheduled for tomorrow, below is the partial picture from Matchday 4 of the league, broadcast in full on Titani.tv – live and free with Italian commentary: