League: Tre Penne held to a draw, La Fiorita win and climb to second place

La Fiorita come away with the top clash of matchday ten of the BKN301 Championship and, thanks to a narrow victory over Tre Fiori, climb to second place. After a cagey first half, Manfredini’s side broke the deadlock at the start of the second period. Marco Gasperoni drove down the right flank and then delivered a cross for Alex Ambrosini, who stole a march on Censoni at the near post and finished with precision into a spot Nardi could not reach. It is goal number seven for the former Victor San Marino striker, and ultimately the match-winner. On the hour La Fiorita might have doubled their lead after a mistake in Tre Fiori’s build-up, but Gasperoni’s right-footed effort shaved the post. Tre Fiori were unable to find a way back and De Falco’s team suffer defeat, bringing to an end an eight-game unbeaten run. La Fiorita can therefore celebrate and move up to second – two points behind leaders Virtus, who will take the field tomorrow – thanks also to Tre Penne’s result. The reigning champions of the Titano are in fact held to a goalless draw by Domagnano. It is an unusual statistic for Ceci’s side not to score, having found the net in every match this season in both league and cup. In Fiorentino the Biancazzurri create chances but cannot beat Colonna. On 15 minutes, top scorer Imre Badalassi tries his luck, but his effort from just inside the box drifts close to the post. The Giallorossi reply with a fine header from Babboni that forces Migani into a brilliant save. After the restart, captain Gai also has a go with a good right-footed shot from the edge of the box, but Colonna is equal to it. The match could have turned on 69 minutes when Gozzi went in late on Dormi: the referee shows a straight red to the Domagnano player, leaving his side down to ten men. However, just two minutes later Tre Penne are also reduced in numbers: Barretta is shown a second yellow for a foul on Babboni on the halfway line. Late on, Domagnano have a big chance to take the lead when Giovanardi bursts through the Biancazzurri backline and goes one-on-one with Migani, but the Tre Penne goalkeeper stands tall and denies him at the crucial moment. Ceci’s side push until the end but cannot find the decisive touch. Domagnano thus halt the reigning champions, picking up a precious point. Murata claim a third consecutive victory as they win their match with Juvenes-Dogana. The Bianconeri start on the front foot and break the deadlock after just a few minutes: persistent play down the left by Cunha, who sends the ball into the middle, Ura emerges from the ensuing scramble and lays it off on the edge of the box for Gaiani, who strikes first time superbly into the top corner. Shortly afterwards, Juvenes-Dogana have the chance to pull one back when contact in the area between Gueye and Lisi prompts the referee to point to the spot. However, referee Vandi is called over by his assistant Tuttifrutti and, after their discussion, the penalty is overturned. Murata step back on the accelerator and in the 21st minute find their second: after scoring against Folgore, Raul Ura produces another winning trajectory from a free-kick to double the lead. Angelini’s side are still not satisfied and, just before the half-hour, they add a third: a brilliant through ball from Gaiani for Rodrigues, who, once in front of Gentilini, beats him for 3-0. At the start of the second half, Angelini’s men make it four: from the halfway line Gjorretaj picks out Rodrigues perfectly, he carries the ball forward with great drive and from the edge of the box makes no mistake, completing his brace. Juvenes-Dogana reduce the deficit with a consolation goal in the 78th minute: Benedetti meets Merli’s cross and, after his first attempt is blocked, manages to find the far corner. It is a harmless goal for Murata, who take another three points and remain firmly in touch with the top of the table. Cosmos make it back-to-back wins, edging San Marino Academy in the 18:15 early kick-off in Montecchio. Berardi’s team need only seven minutes to open the scoring: a cross from Zulli finds Prandelli’s head and it is immediately 1-0. The Academy respond on the quarter-hour with an excellent move initiated by Famiglietti, who drives forward and serves Sensoli in on goal, but Aldo Simoncini comes out smartly to snuff out the chance for Cecchetti’s youngsters. Shortly after, Cosmos double their lead in the 21st minute: an Errico corner and another powerful, winning header from Prandelli make it 2-0. The Academy do not give up and on the half-hour have a good opportunity to get back into it: Sensoli swings the ball into the middle, Simoncini punches clear but on the rebound Famiglietti has a go, only to somehow miss the target from point-blank range. Early in the second half, Cosmos score their third: Zulli’s shot-cross is turned into his own net by Luvisi, wrong-footing Borasco. A few minutes later comes a fourth for the Gialloverdi: from the left flank, Pastorelli picks out the ever-dangerous and in-form Prandelli at the near post, and with his right foot he again beats Borasco at the same upright, completing his personal hat-trick. The only sour note for the Gialloblu band is Rizzitelli’s sending-off in the 68th minute for blasphemous language. With this win, Berardi’s side move on to 17 points and set their sights on fifth-placed Tre Fiori, currently five points ahead. It is a difficult spell for the Academy, who suffer a third straight defeat and remain on five points. A valuable win – their second in the last three – for Faetano in the other 18:15 early kick-off played at the Acquaviva Stadium. Pellegrino’s Gialloblu score once in each half to overcome San Giovanni and move into double figures in the table. The goal that breaks the deadlock arrives at the end of the first half with a precise cross from Capriotti onto the head of Ndao, whose finish makes it 1-0 to Faetano. Early in the second half comes the second goal that gives the Gialloblu breathing space: first De Angelis is outstanding in keeping out Kevin Lisi’s shot, but as the move continues Brisigotti touches it on for Palumbo, who shoots accurately from the edge of the box; the effort takes a deflection off Capriotti and nestles in the corner. Matchday ten will conclude tomorrow with three late fixtures: among them, the clash between Folgore and Virtus, with the Neroverdi chasing a tenth straight victory. Also kicking off at 15:00 are Cailungo v Pennarossa and Libertas v Fiorentino. Here is the updated schedule for the tenth round of the San Marino BKN301 Championship, with all matches broadcast live – with full commentary – on TITANI.TV:

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