League: Folgore defeat Virtus and move three points clear

The big match of matchday eight in the Campionato Sammarinese goes to Folgore, who beat Virtus 2-0 – handing the Neroverdi their first defeat of the season – and consolidate their lead at the top. The Giallorossoneri are now alone in first place, three points clear of their direct rivals. Even before kick-off Folgore could already boast two individual awards: Pancotti was named MVP as Player of the Month, while Ricci repeated the accolade – already earned in September – as Coach of the Month. It all kicks off in Montecchio under rain and fog. Virtus – in an all-pink strip today – start better, and midway through the half they hit the crossbar through Badalassi. Muratori’s side keep pushing and soon after go close again to breaking the deadlock, but De Angelis pulls off a superb save on Buonocunto to keep it at 0-0. Folgore sit and wait, then strike at the right moment: on 29 minutes the Falciano club take the lead with a wonderfully struck free-kick by Azael Garcia Rufer, his second goal of the campaign. It’s an open game and on 35 minutes Virtus hit the net with a header from Madonna on a cross from Buonocunto, but the defender was in an offside position when he made contact. After the break Folgore double their lead and put the contest firmly in their hands: a neat move between Scutella and Pancotti ends with the latter notching his fifth goal in the last four league games. Ricci’s team look to kill the match off early, but on 74 minutes Guddo denies Tampellini. Virtus, though, are unable to get back into it and Muratori’s side fall to their first defeat of the season. Folgore, by contrast, remain unbeaten and sit alone at the summit.

La Fiorita also claim victory – their second in a row – as they beat Cosmos 2-1 and draw level with them in fourth place. The clash at the “Crescentini” gets off to a blistering start with two early goals. It is Cosmos who break the deadlock on 4 minutes: excellent hold-up play by Guidotti with his back to goal, before he lays it off to the ever-dangerous Cremonini, who shifts the ball onto his left foot and tucks it into the corner. That’s goal number seven for the league’s top scorer. Selva’s team – he is facing his former club – keep their composure and level matters in the 6th minute: Enchisi exchanges passes with Jacopo Semprini, who then cuts inside and beats his namesake Alessandro with a shot from distance. Just before the interval Zavoli stretches well to turn away Lisi’s long-range effort. The sides go in at the break at 1-1. Early in the second half La Fiorita carve out another chance, a solo run by Bonetti, but Semprini is alert. It is, however, the prelude to the winner, because from the resulting corner by Nappello, Jacopo Semprini once again gets his name on the scoresheet and completes his brace. It proves to be a crucial goal from the midfielder – his third in the last two games – as it decides the contest in Fiorentino. Paolo Rossi’s Cosmos fall after five straight wins.

Domagnano, meanwhile, celebrate a win that had been missing for over two months, as they get the better of Faetano. In the first half the standout performer is Simone Venturini. The Faetano goalkeeper keeps his side in it on three occasions: on 10 minutes he saves Buda’s effort from outside the box, then on 37 minutes he parries Arlotti’s attempt. Just before the half-time whistle, the Gialloblù shot-stopper also claws away a powerful header from an excellent position by Guglielmi. After so much pressure, though, Domagnano finally – and deservedly – take the lead: fine work down the right by Santi, who drives to the byline and pulls the ball back, where Michelucci gets the faintest of touches, enough to beat Venturini. Sperindio’s Faetano react and on 68 minutes Renzi hits the post, but in the closing stages (86’) comes the goal that settles it. Persistent pressure from Amati’s side sees Ferraro nod the ball on to Arlotti; the number seven’s shot is blocked, but the loose ball falls to Menini, who registers his first goal of the league season. It’s simply not Faetano’s day, because in stoppage time Renzi’s thunderous strike from distance crashes against the woodwork again for the second time. Domagnano win 2-0 and climb to seventh place.

A valuable win as well for Juvenes-Dogana. Fabbri’s side edge past Pennarossa and record a victory that had not arrived since the opening day of the season. The first chance comes on 11 minutes and falls to Costantini’s team – he too facing his former club – when Colonna flies to keep out Maltoni’s point-blank effort. The other goalkeeper on duty – Cagnina – is no less decisive and, on 19 minutes, is vital for his team: the Pennarossa keeper first shuts the door on Merli and then, in the same move, on Aprea as well. However, right at the end of the half Cagnina cannot reach a wicked long-range free-kick from Merli, which gives Juvenes-Dogana a 1-0 advantage.

Fabbri’s side push for a second to make the game safe, but on 66 minutes Cagnina is in inspired form and turns away Lisi’s shot from distance. The duel is renewed shortly afterwards (71’), with the Pennarossa keeper – one of the day’s standout performers – once again coming out on top. In the end, though, Merli’s first-half free-kick is enough for Juvenes-Dogana to return to winning ways and take all three points.

Matchday eight of the league resumes tomorrow with another four fixtures, all kicking off at 15:00 and live on Titani.tv. Here is the partial schedule: