League: Academy scare the champions, Ambrosini overturns Faetano

Alongside Virtus and Murata, La Fiorita are also top of the table, with two wins from as many league outings this season. Manfredini starts Alex Ambrosini from the first minute, and it takes the forward less than ten minutes to repay his coach’s faith: a superb long-range strike that gives Manzaroli no chance. The San Marino goalkeeper is then unable to repeat the miracle from the penalty spot as Olcese doubles the lead on 36 minutes. The Montegiardino club reach the interval with a deserved two-goal cushion, but after the restart their concentration levels drop dramatically. A series of errors in succession allows Faetano to gain confidence and territory, and they pull one back on 63 minutes. It is Casadei who rises highest to meet a free-kick from wide, which Vivan judges to be going further over than it actually is, allowing the former Juvenes-Dogana and Tre Penne defender to glance it into the unguarded net. La Fiorita’s response is immediate, and comes in the form of a gem from Alex Ambrosini: the experienced striker, who hit sixteen goals in last season’s Eccellenza, produces a spectacular overhead kick that catches Manzaroli out. The 1986-born forward then completes his personal hat-trick direct from the penalty spot, seven minutes from time. At Montecchio there was an encouraging display from the San Marino Academy – unfortunately not enough to get off the mark against reigning champions Tre Penne. Stefano Ceci fields his big guns, but it is Cecchetti’s Under-22s who break the deadlock. A fine move develops down the right flank, with Giocondi and Sensoli exchanging passes before the latter fires inside the near post. A thunderous right-footed strike that flies into the top corner on 40 minutes. The City club shake themselves awake and level in a highly unusual manner: a disputed free-kick in midfield is rolled short by Giambalvo. The referee deems the ball in play and Righini wastes no time in turning the situation on its head and releasing Dormi, who keeps his cool, evades a recovering defender and beats the impressive Battistini with his left foot. The Academy goalkeeper is outstanding on 63 minutes when he saves a penalty from spot-kick specialist Righini. The midfielder, however, makes amends shortly afterwards, netting the comeback goal direct from a free-kick. Academy stay composed and continue to push to get back into the game, but Tre Penne manage the closing stages without major scares and in the final minutes wrap up the points. Dormi again, this time from a Ceccaroli assist, arrives at the back post to turn in his second of the afternoon on 88 minutes. The revamped Domagnano technical project is still searching for certainty and consistency, and they come up against the solidity of a Juvenes-Dogana side able to retain many of last season’s key players. Among them are Benedetti and the Borghini brothers. Of the two siblings, Gianmaria delivers a superb all-round performance that culminates in the opening goal, scored by Benedetti on 37 minutes. The striker simply has to tap home his team-mate’s perfect assist, and the provider is just as clear-headed on the hour mark when he lets Gentilini’s long kick run, catching the Giallorossi defence off guard and sending Benedetti through in open field to double the lead with a precise left-footed diagonal that kisses the post before nestling behind Colonna. The San Marino goalkeeper is finally beaten again by a clinical finish from his compatriot Pasquinelli, only recently introduced, who on 66 minutes makes the most of yet another surging run from Gianmaria Borghini to seal a 3-0 victory for Juvenes-Dogana. Here is the full picture from the second matchday of the 2023-24 Campionato Sammarinese BKN301:

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