League: La Fiorita respond, Benincasa comes on to rescue Virtus

It is Simone Benincasa who proves to be the saviour for Virtus. The Neroverdi striker is decisive on 82 minutes in the clash with Murata, keeping Virtus firmly on top of the league. In this evening’s midweek round, the Neroverdi start with the right attitude and after nine minutes are already very close to taking the lead: Sabato strikes perfectly from the edge of the box but his effort crashes against the crossbar. Virtus keep pushing but Murata hold firm through to the break. The second half begins with a penalty appeal from Virtus for a possible handball in the area by Guilherme, but the referee lets play continue. News of La Fiorita’s second goal comes through from Acquaviva, so Virtus know they must respond. And on 65 minutes the Neroverdi go agonisingly close to the breakthrough: Tortori turns and shoots but the Bianconeri defence block; the newly introduced Benincasa then tries his luck towards goal but Benedettini produces a stunning reflex save. The move is not over and Alessandro Golinucci also has a go, but the San Marino goalkeeper once again comes up big and clears, saving his side. Murata try to resist but on 82 minutes the Bianconeri stronghold finally falls after yet another Neroverdi assault. Pecci picks up the ball and tries his luck from distance; his shot effectively turns into an assist for Benincasa, who brings it under control and fires past Benedettini this time. It is his 13th league goal – the best tally among the Neroverdi – and a crucial strike that keeps the Acquaviva side two points clear of La Fiorita at the top. Montegiardino’s Gialloblu do not slip up and a goal in each half is enough to see off Fiorentino. As expected, it is Manfredini’s side who dictate proceedings and in the opening quarter of an hour they carve out two clear chances to break the deadlock: the main man is once again Virgilio, who first clips the top of the bar with a cross-shot from the right (9') and then hits the outside of the post with a header after a fine cross from Jacopo Semprini. The goal that breaks the deadlock arrives on 25 minutes and gives La Fiorita a – deserved – lead: Tommaso Zafferani makes a smart run and receives the ball on the right; once he reaches the byline he pulls it back, Simone Benedettini can only parry weakly and on the rebound Aziz Niang is on hand to tap in the most classic of goals against his former club. It is an open, entertaining contest and at the start of the second half Fiorentino also threaten: from a free-kick Abouzziane swings it in towards Gimenez, who finds the net with a header, but assistant referee Avoni rules it out for the Rossoblu defender’s offside position. La Fiorita then look to put the result beyond doubt and double their lead on 56 minutes: from a corner the ball is met by the head of Mazzotti, Benedettini saves but the defence fail to clear and Danilo Rinaldi pounces, shifts it onto his left and drills past the Rossoblu keeper. Fiorentino feel the blow and on 69 minutes it takes a superb Benedettini save from Zampano to prevent a third. La Fiorita remain in control through to the final whistle. Manfredini can celebrate and continue the chase for Virtus’ top spot. Behind the two title contenders there are wins for both Tre Penne and Tre Fiori. Ceci’s side are back smiling after the setback against Domagnano, thanks to a 3-1 success over rivals Libertas. After a balanced first half, the City club go in front on the hour mark through Scarponi, who finishes off a fine team move following Barretta’s assist. Only a minute later Tre Penne double their advantage: this time Dormi reaches the byline, gets away from his marker and cuts the ball back for Scarponi, who unleashes a powerful right-footed strike to complete his brace and make it 2-0. Libertas try to react and get back into it: another excellent move ends with Pari’s cross-shot for Polizzi, who stretches to turn it in and pull one back for 2-1. However, Tre Penne wrap it up on 85 minutes through the ever-reliable Imre Badalassi, who combines well with Michael Battistini and beats Del Prete with a deft finish. Tre Fiori claim their second win of the season, celebrating at Cailungo’s expense. De Falco’s Gialloblu take the lead with a moment of brilliance: Micchi finds Tommaso Leon Bernardi on the corner of the penalty area, the Tre Fiori playmaker moves it onto his left foot and curls it into the top corner, leaving Francioni no chance. The Fiorentino club continue to press and at the end of the first half Ciccione has a go, but Francioni shows great reflexes to deny the second. From the resulting corner, though, the goal does arrive: Ruocco swings it in, Bernardi sends it to the far post where Fimognari is waiting and makes no mistake with his right foot. After the restart Cailungo also come into the game and, on the hour mark, haul themselves back into it: Vagnini advances down the left and picks out Basile, who drives into the box and with a fine, precise diagonal finish finds the far corner. Tre Fiori, however, land the decisive blow on 83 minutes when Socciarelli’s cross picks out Bernardi in the area and he completes his brace. On the same play, Cailungo protest over a coming together that leaves Venerucci on the ground in pain, but the referee lets play continue. Tre Fiori could then further extend their lead after Pasquale Rizzo wins a penalty: it is the other Rizzo – Luigi – who steps up, but he sends his spot-kick over the bar. No major damage done for De Falco’s side who, with this second victory, climb back up to fifth place, overtaking Murata. Folgore also win, taking the Serravalle derby against Juvenes-Dogana. After a goalless first half, the contest is decided on 68 minutes by Samuel Pancotti. The Falciano side return to winning ways after two defeats and close in on the “cousins” in seventh place, now just two points ahead, a position that guarantees direct access to the play-offs. This is the partial picture from Matchday 26 of the BKN301 San Marino Championship, which will be broadcast live in full with Italian commentary on TITANI.TV: *matches played at the "Ezio Conti" stadium in Dogana will not be available via live streaming due to the ongoing renovation works at the venue.

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