Championship: La Fiorita defeat Tre Penne at the death with a Guidi penalty

The third last chapter in the title race between Virtus and La Fiorita unfolded at the Montecchio and Domagnano grounds. The day’s big match, with Manfredini’s men facing Tre Penne just four days after the second leg of the BKN301 Titano Cup semi‑final, bursts into life immediately. On 10 minutes, in fact, Fatica finds himself free from Amati’s corner and powers home a header to put the Gialloblù in front. The lead is doubled eight minutes later, when a dreadful mistake by Lombardi allows Niang to race through on goal and beat Migani. Moments earlier, Tre Penne had gone close from a wide free‑kick situation. Ceci’s side get themselves back into it on 21 minutes, when Pieri bursts down the left and crosses for Scarponi’s header, scoring from close range. The Biancazzurri then go close to an equaliser with Badalassi and Pieri, both denied by decisive interventions from Fatica and Vivan. Before the break, Nigretti is also crucial in his own box as he blocks Jacopo Semprini. The Tre Penne defender makes an even bigger mark on the day’s highlights in the 54th minute, when he finishes off a prolonged attacking move with a touch from point‑blank range – set up by Vandi, the other full‑back. The game is now magnificent, with both sides chasing the win: Pieri fails to hit the target with a header, while on 66 minutes Amati rattles the crossbar with a powerful left‑footer from long range. La Fiorita throw men forward and go close to taking the lead for a third time through Lunadei and Fatica. From a corner, Alex Gasperoni goes to ground after a coming together with Virgilio. In the ensuing melee, it is Giacomo Zafferani who pays the price – sent off from the Tre Penne bench, which had been demanding a red card for the opposing midfielder. Late on comes the sensational handball by Alex Gasperoni, which sends Tommaso Guidi to the spot. His right‑footed penalty gives Migani no chance and makes it 3-2 to La Fiorita. Tre Penne throw everything forward at the end and are spared further damage only by Vandi’s recovery tackle on Rinaldi – clean through on goal – but they cannot find the strike to level the game. Virtus do not miss their appointment with victory, overcoming Cailungo despite being without suspended duo Golinucci and Montanari. Early on, Tortori goes within a whisker of scoring on a couple of occasions, testing Morelli from distance and then being denied by the crossbar from the ensuing Buonocunto corner. The leaders’ blistering start pays off on 14 minutes, when Benincasa breaks the deadlock with a tap‑in – after a miraculous save by Morelli on yet another right‑footer from Tortori. Cailungo then escape by the skin of their teeth from a Buonocunto free‑kick that crashes against the inside of the post. At the end of the half, Virtus first go close and then see their second goal ruled out: Morelli is outstanding again to deny Tortori, while Rinaldi finds his second goal of the week – only for Vandi to spot a foul in the aerial duel with Muccioli. Early in the second half Basile tries to surprise Passaniti from distance, then one word too many from Morelli leaves Cailungo down to ten men. The first‑choice keeper had just been decisive again in the same move, saving Pecci’s diagonal effort. The way is now clear for Virtus, who wrap things up around the hour mark. Francioni – coming on to guard the Cailungo goal – is immediately called into action by Tortori and Buonocunto. From a corner, it is Tortori himself who settles a scramble in the box with the finish for 2-0. Shortly afterwards, the winger completes his brace with a curling right‑footer that catches Francioni out. Late on, Benincasa’s 4-0 is disallowed for an obvious push on Muccioli, while Lombardi’s left‑footer comes back off the post. A widely expected yet precious win for the Neroverdi, who maintain a two‑point lead over La Fiorita in the table with 180 minutes to play. The title could therefore be decided next week, should La Fiorita fail to beat Domagnano while Virtus simultaneously take all three points against San Giovanni. The two title contenders will play at the same time next Sunday, kicking off at 15:00. On the same day, Juvenes‑Dogana and Fiorentino are also in action as they battle, together with Tognacci’s Rossoneri, for seventh place. In Fiorentino today, Libertas and Tre Fiori went head‑to‑head. The Gialloblù threaten right from the off, with Micchi wasting a chance in the 5th minute. Del Prete then reacts superbly to deny Bernardi, allowing former Libertas coach Sperindio’s current side to take the lead through Ottaviani. The forward rises above everyone in a crowded box to meet Pari’s wide free‑kick, giving Nardi no chance. Tre Fiori stay calm and keep on playing their football, but Fedeli and his team‑mates cannot find the net in the first half – thanks in no small part to Del Prete. At the other end, Corneli fails to exploit a poor pass by Micchi to put his name to what would have been a remarkable second for Libertas. Andrea De Falco strikes the right chords in the dressing room, as Tre Fiori turn the game on its head within two minutes. First Micchi, with a tap‑in after another stunning save by Del Prete on Censoni. Then Fedeli, who makes the most of excellent work from Bernardi. With momentum against them, Libertas cling to their goalkeeper to stay in touch on the scoreboard. The Gialloblù fail to capitalise on several chances to kill the game off, while their opponents threaten only from a Pari free‑kick that misses the target in the 86th minute. Tre Fiori are now level in fifth place with Murata, who beat Cosmos yesterday. Here is the updated schedule for Matchday 28 of the BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese, which will be broadcast live in full with Italian commentary on TITANI.TV:

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