League: Juvenes-Dogana surge into playoff race, draw in the Serravalle derby

Come-from-behind win for Juvenes-Dogana who, in the afternoon’s late kick-offs on Matchday 26 of the Campionato Sammarinese, overturn the deficit against Cailungo and thrust themselves back into the playoff spots. Fabbri’s side also take advantage of Domagnano’s slip – beaten 4-2 by Pennarossa, inspired by Zenoni and Pintore – closing the gap in the table on the Giallorossi themselves.

We begin in Fiorentino with the clash between Juvenes-Dogana and Cailungo. After a first half devoid of clear chances, the contest springs to life after the restart. On 56 minutes the first big chance falls to Bakalyar, who unleashes a powerful strike from outside the box; it takes a deflection and Gallinetta needs a superb reflex save to prevent the goal. A few minutes later there’s a chance for Cailungo as well, with an excellent vertical pass from Labas to Bastianelli, who however blazes over at the crucial moment. The red-and-green midfielder redeems himself shortly afterwards (67’) as he manages to put his side in front: a cross from the left by Costa into the area, Labas can’t quite reach it but Bastianelli does, and it’s 1-0. News filters through from Domagnano of the Giallorossi’s temporary defeat – too good an opportunity for Juvenes-Dogana not to seize as they pile forward relentlessly. On 76 minutes comes the equaliser from Bakalyar, who heads past Gallinetta after a pinpoint corner from Cordioli. Sensing the game can be won, Fabbri throws centre-back Cevoli forward to bolster the attack. The San Marino defender proves decisive in the 85th minute, starting the move for the winner by spreading the play to Traglia; the wide man delivers into the middle for Cevoli, who gets a touch and flicks it on for Colonna to make it 2-1. It’s the goal that settles the contest and propels Juvenes-Dogana back into the playoff zone: Domagnano are now in their sights, just two points ahead.

The Wolves, as mentioned, fall at home in Domagnano to Pennarossa, putting at risk the eleventh place that secures access to the post-season. Yet it is the Giallorossi who break the deadlock on the half-hour mark, when a precise cross from Merendino finds Perazzini at the far post; he powers in the header and beats Del Prete. Pennarossa regroup and ten minutes later restore parity. Zenoni threads the ball into a tight space for Matteo Nanni who, with a brilliant piece of play in the box, skips past two opponents before laying it off to the unmarked Diop, who cannot miss. So it’s into the second half that Dolci’s side really cut loose. On 51 minutes the big afternoon for Pintore and Zenoni begins. Pintore supplies the assist for Zenoni, who controls in the area from a wide position and lashes in at the near post, beating Colonna for 2-1. Shortly afterwards Del Prete is decisive at the other end, stretching to turn away Bastos Moncalvo’s effort, and then on 65 minutes the Biancorossi score again. A wonderful team move ends with Gega’s driven ball for Pintore, who meets it first time and is clinical in finding the net past Colonna. It’s a game full of incident and in the 68th minute Domagnano try to get back into it: a long ball over the top from Fusco picks out Moscardi, who drives at Del Prete and beats him with an elegant outside-of-the-boot finish. However, on 81 minutes the contest is definitively closed with Pennarossa’s fourth: Pintore, with great determination, manages to keep alive a ball seemingly destined to go out, then pulls it back for Zenoni, who cannot miss. The impact of the Pintore–Zenoni duo on Pennarossa has been remarkable, both having arrived in January: five goals and four assists for the former, no fewer than eight goals and one assist for the latter. The only sour note for the Biancorossi at the end is Angelini’s dismissal for dissent (88’). Dolci’s side win 4-2, but despite their recent good performances the playoffs now look a long way off.

The only draw on Matchday 26 comes in the Serravalle derby between Cosmos and Folgore. The opening stages favour the giallorossoneri, who after several attempts manage to break the deadlock. On 21 minutes Pancotti reaches the byline and crosses for Turrisi, who gets there ahead of everyone – Semprini included – and heads in for 1-0. Lasagni’s team – the former Cosmos coach – keep pushing in search of a second. They come very close at the end of the half when a wicked free-kick from Sartori forces a superb save from Semprini. Cosmos’ task becomes even harder just before the interval, when there is a coming-together in midfield between Ammirati and Turrisi. After a signal from fourth official Ilie, referee Avoni opts to show a straight red card to the Cosmos defender. After the break Cosmos dig in while Folgore look to kill off the game. On 72 minutes Pancotti skips past Grassi with a nutmeg before being brought down by Pierri just outside the box. From the resulting free-kick, expertly curled in by the San Marino winger, Semprini once again has to deny the second goal. Selva’s men, however, battle away even with ten men and go close to levelling through Badalassi, but his towering header is met by a strong save from Guddo. Just before the ninetieth minute, though, Cosmos manage to find the equaliser as a precise cross from Ben Kacem is met by the head of Fatica, who makes it 1-1. In the table Folgore remain in fourth place, while Cosmos stay seventh.