League: Murata close in on sixth place, Juvenes-Dogana and Fiorentino level pegging

The late kick-offs on Matchday 21 of the BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese lived up to expectations, with Murata pulling clear in the table – now firmly in sixth place – and an entertaining draw between Juvenes-Dogana and Fiorentino, who remain locked together either side of this clash just behind the Bianconeri, with both sides confirming their excellent form. Angelini’s team returned to winning ways after two straight defeats, inspired by the Cunha-Cicarelli partnership. The Bianconeri had already gone close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions in the opening quarter of an hour before finally taking the lead on 24 minutes from a corner. Cicarelli swung in a cross that Peters met at the far post and headed home. Ten minutes later, Murata doubled their lead again from a set-piece: this time Cicarelli picked out the unmarked Cunha, who made it 2-0. Cailungo threatened a couple of times through Lago, but Elia Benedettini was never seriously troubled. In the closing stages Murata almost grabbed a third but – as at the start of the second half – Angelini’s forwards lacked accuracy and composure at the key moment. La Monaca did his best to keep Cailungo in the game, and the Rossoverdi did indeed reopen the contest in the final quarter of an hour. A handball by Vitaioli resulted in a penalty, which Lago converted past Benedettini on 77 minutes. However, the home side’s momentum was snuffed out just over five minutes later when Cecconi released Santana, who proved impossible to stop for the defence with a driving run capped by the goal that sealed a 3-1 victory. It was honours even in Montecchio between Fiorentino and Juvenes-Dogana. The Serravalle side were quicker out of the blocks, threatening after just 150 seconds, when Simone Benedettini produced an acrobatic save to keep out Stella’s turn and shot. The San Marino goalkeeper was then sharp and brave coming off his line to deny Colonna, who looked certain to score from close range on 15 minutes. Diop’s physical presence was Fiorentino’s main weapon as they tried to get a foothold in the game: after a solo run foiled at the last by Manfroni, the midfielder struck a stunning left-footed volley from 25 metres that crashed against the crossbar. Before the break, Gianmaria Borghini had a good chance but was thwarted by yet another timely intervention from Benedettini. After the restart, Abouzziane and Molinari both tried their luck for Fiorentino but without making it count. On 54 minutes came a double gilt-edged chance: Diop sent Stefanelli through on goal, but he was denied by a monumental Gentilini. The goalkeeper’s quick release sparked a counter-attack, with Stella flicking on for Merli, who fired over with Benedettini rushing out desperately. Parity lasted only another two minutes, until Gianmaria Borghini brought down a long ball from Colonna, skipped past Bottoni and Molinari and then squared for Benedetti to tap in for 1-0. Juvenes-Dogana’s joy, however, was short-lived: less than ten minutes later, substitute Hirsch saw his attempted cross blocked by Manfroni’s arm. The referee pointed to the spot and Abouzziane duly converted to make it 1-1. From then until the final whistle, both teams looked capable of edging ahead, but neither managed it. On 70 minutes Salemme failed to hit the target from the edge of the box, while at the other end Pasquinelli could only admire a stunning save by Benedettini. Before the final whistle, Gueye’s header briefly gave Fiorentino the illusion of victory – while in the opposite penalty area Cevoli sent an overhead effort just over the bar. The Juvenes-Dogana v Fiorentino clash thus ended in an entertaining draw, with Hirsch sent off for a second booking in the 90th+7 minute. Below is the full schedule for Matchday 21 of the BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese, with all matches available on-demand on Titani.tv:

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