Championship: Gregori delivers crucial head-to-head win over Faetano for Domagnano

Huge win for Domagnano and Paolo Rossi, who was replaced on the bench today by Ranocchini. Against Faetano, level with them in 11th place before kick-off, they edge a narrow victory that sends the Wolves three points clear of their closest rivals in the race for a Preliminary Round play-off spot – namely today’s opponents. There is little to report over the course of the match, almost nothing in the first half apart from an Angelini run in behind, snuffed out by a brave, sprawling intervention from Manzaroli. The second half is livelier, with Domagnano doing that bit more and securing three points of huge importance. On 52 minutes Manzaroli is outstanding, tipping Ferraro’s right-footed effort from the edge of the box onto the post – after a glaring mistake by Gueye. Colonna is also called into action to deal with Brisigotti’s precise free-kick, before Gregori blows the game wide open. Much of the credit, however, goes to Ceccaroli, who serves up yet another match-winning assist – after last week’s cross onto Babboni’s forehead against Folgore. This time Gregori only has to arrive and tap in at the back post after his team-mate’s surge down the flank and ensuing driven cross-shot. Right at the death comes the episode that keeps Tre Fiori on the heels of the leading pack – at Folgore’s expense. The Gialloblù have the better of the play overall, but clear chances are few and far between at both ends. Worth highlighting is the move between Fedeli and Tommaso Bernardi, which allows the latter to drive into the box, only to shoot quickly at the near post. Venturini is beaten, but the upright comes to his rescue, denying the winger a goal. Before half-time Pancotti is thwarted by Nardi, who then has no trouble dealing with a trademark free-kick from specialist Sartori. The pattern does not change after the break and Tre Fiori pass up opportunities through Micchi and Fedeli shortly after the hour mark. As usual Pancotti is his side’s most inspired player, but the opposition back line always closes ranks in time to limit the Sammarinese talent. Then, in the 89th minute, a ricochet in the box decides the outcome: Islamaj does brilliantly to shield the ball with his back to goal before squaring it to the near post. In trying to prevent an easy tap-in for Fedeli, Sartori triggers a hugely unfortunate pinball that results in Venturini’s inadvertent own goal. In the dying moments, Tre Fiori clinch their 13th league win of the season, pulling away from Murata. Juvenes-Dogana make life difficult for themselves despite a 3-1 victory over Pennarossa. After a chance apiece from set plays, it is Filippo Dolci’s side who break the deadlock with a stunning goal from Fadel. The Moroccan forward takes advantage of Gentilini’s advanced positioning and punishes him from three-quarters of the pitch, marking his first, spectacular goal in the Campionato Sammarinese in style. Unfortunately for Pennarossa, the joy of taking the lead lasts no time at all: less than 200 seconds separate Fadel’s gem from Merli’s reply. Merli wins the ball in a left-wing position and unleashes an outside-of-the-boot strike that nestles just inside the left post, leaving Barbieri blameless. The Juvenes-Dogana midfielder then fails to make the most of a chance to put his side in front a couple of minutes later. After the restart, Colonna squanders a golden opportunity for 2-1 on 51 minutes and soon after is denied by Barbieri’s fists. Manuel Amati, however, finds the winning card on the bench: Gianmaria Borghini, already threatening with a solo run on 68 minutes, scores the goal that completes the comeback 60 seconds later, profiting from Traglia’s assist and Barbieri’s failure to claim the ball. Even so, Pennarossa have the chance to level again on 77 minutes, but Pintore misfires with only Gentilini to beat. Dolci’s striker also has a goal disallowed for climbing over Cevoli, and despite the effort poured in late on in search of a point, they are forced to accept defeat. The scoreline stretches to 3-1, even though Tumidei misses an almost certain goal on 87 minutes. The Sammarinese midfielder makes amends deep into stoppage time, providing Colonna with a simple assist for the midfielder’s sixth league goal of the season. With this win, Juvenes-Dogana overtake Folgore and catch Fiorentino in seventh place. As things stand, head-to-head results would favour the Serravalle club: considerations that will only be definitive in a week’s time, after the direct clash between Amati’s and Camillini’s sides. Below is the full schedule for Matchday 20 of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301:

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