League: Osayande steers Libertas to victory, narrow win for Folgore

Juvenes Dogana and Folgore both chase a second win in as many matches, locking horns with Libertas and Cailungo. In the double clash between the sides from Serravalle and Borgo Maggiore, it is the Giallorossoneri who land the first blow: a flying start for Ricci’s Folgore, ahead after three minutes through Tampellini’s first goal – on the spot to turn in Malaponti’s low cross. Around the quarter-hour mark Pierri also has a go, but his curling right-footed effort sails well off target. At the other end Cailungo think they have the equaliser, but Cecconi’s finish is ruled out for offside after excellent work by Bernardi – who had isolated himself on the right against Fabbri. Shortly afterwards, Toure is caught out by the ball bouncing over him a few yards from goal from a set-play routine. Nothing, however, compared to the gilt-edged chance wasted by Tampellini on 18 minutes, when he goes one-on-one with Tordella – who proves decisive in keeping Cailungo afloat. The keeper repeats the trick on 26 minutes, beating away Pierri’s venomous left-footer from mid-range with a strong trailing arm. Late in the half Folgore again go close to doubling their lead through Pancotti and Azael Garcia Rufer: Tordella is there again to deny the first, while Conti’s crucial deflection prevents the midfielder from scoring in back-to-back games. The pattern does not change at the start of the second half, with the Falciano club closing in on 2-0 through the ever-dangerous Tampellini – wayward with a rushed finish after a reckless charge out from Tordella. Folgore manage their lead with composure, regularly threatening in the Rossoverdi box, as underlined by Marini’s thunderous volley against the bar from an almost impossible angle. Soon after, Battistini also goes close, his diagonal effort from the heart of the area turned behind for a corner by Quaranta. It is one of the last thrills of a match that rightly rewards Folgore – top of the table with six points from two outings.

The opening minutes of Libertas-Juvenes Dogana, played in Montecchio, are notable for long-range efforts from Osayande, Merli and Dormi. Only the latter tests the opposition goal, though none of the three attempts hit the target. With their first foray into the penalty area, Libertas carve out the chance for 1-0: Gori picks out Vandi’s knock-down at the far post and Merli clumsily handles, allowing Osayande to step up to the spot. The Granata striker makes no mistake, sending Colonna the wrong way to give the side coached by former boss Achille Fabbri the lead. Deep into first-half stoppage time, the San Marino goalkeeper spares Juvenes Dogana from going two behind, stretching to tip away Melandri’s diagonal effort – the forward having broken into the area after a lapse from Ghiggini. Camillini’s team come out for the second half with a different attitude, threatening through Amadori’s neat work in tight spaces and Lisi’s surging run, although both moves end with wayward finishes. The former Faetano man tries again without conviction on 62 minutes, a few moments after Gori’s piledriver, which carries danger on a Libertas counter. The Biancorossazzurri accept the risk and reap the rewards midway through the half with Sartini’s powerful header from a Dormi set-piece. In the closing stages the contest is searching for a clear owner: Osayande is a split-second late to the ball as he chases his brace, while at the other end Juvenes Dogana appeal for a handball by Magi after an uncertain save from Foiera. The scoreline swings back in Libertas’ favour on 83 minutes, when the ever-reliable Osayande latches onto Melandri’s through ball, burns his marker for pace and beats Colonna one-on-one. It is the goal that seals all three points for the Granata, still unbeaten after the first 180 minutes of the league season, also thanks to Benedetti’s lack of cutting edge – left completely alone in the six-yard box on 89 minutes, but incredibly failing to make contact with his diving header.

Below is the partial schedule for Matchday 2 of the league: