League: Virtus and La Fiorita win and keep the title race alive

In the late fixtures of the 24th matchday of the Campionato Sammarinese, the duel at the top between Virtus and La Fiorita continues, with both sides winning against San Marino Academy and San Giovanni respectively. There were also victories for Andy Selva’s Cosmos over Tre Penne and for Girolomoni’s Tre Fiori – who have Nardi and Prandelli to thank in their match with Juvenes-Dogana. We start at the "Crescentini" for the clash between Virtus and San Marino Academy. The opening immediately smiles on the Neroverdi, who break the deadlock after just five minutes. Vallocchia goes down in the box after a challenge from Mattia Ciacci and the referee points to the spot. Buonocunto steps up and makes no mistake, reaching double figures for the season. Cecchetti’s Academy – with the coach back on the bench after suspension – shake off the blow and restart without fear. Shortly afterwards Cervellini goes close with a shot skimming the post, with Passaniti nonetheless covering the angle. Virtus reply at once through Lombardi – an effort from inside the area after a lay-off by Benincasa – but Borasco produces a vital save to prevent a second. The Titani fight and in the first half hold their own against the league leaders. Before the break it also takes a crucial double intervention from Passaniti – first on Molinari, then on Marco Gasperoni – to keep Virtus in front. After the restart, however, Virtus show their strength and double their lead on 64 minutes. It is the usual brilliant assist from Buonocunto – his 13th of the season, which together with his 10 goals already make it a "double double" – as, from the three-quarter line and without even looking, he picks out Benincasa in behind, and from the edge of the box he coolly beats Borasco. The rest of the match is routine game management for Bizzotto’s side, who on 79 minutes look for a third – again with Buonocunto – but Borasco gathers safely. Tre Fiori have to wait until the very end, snatching the win in stoppage time with a poacher’s finish to get the better of Juvenes-Dogana. Before kick-off there is a minute’s silence for the passing of Don Giuseppe Innocentini – known to everyone as Don Peppino – who in 1953 was the historic founder of the Juvenes sports club and one of the most recognisable figures in the Republic. Just before the quarter-hour mark comes the first chance for Juvenes-Dogana to open the scoring: Paszynski wins back possession and races at speed towards goal, but when the key moment arrives he is denied by Nardi, who keeps his side level. The Gialloblu goalkeeper looks in inspired form when, on 41 minutes, he again says no to a point-blank effort from Tumidei. After the interval, though, the restart does not favour Fabbri’s side when Bakalayar brings down Bernardi as he breaks clear on goal: Beltrano has no doubts and produces a straight red card. Despite being a man down, in the 82nd minute Juvenes-Dogana go close to the big upset when Paszynski is fouled in the area. It is a penalty, and Colonna steps up. But he finds a superb Nardi in his way – the man of the match today – who saves the spot-kick and keeps it at 0-0. After that miss, Tre Fiori strike for the three points right on 90 minutes. A perfect cross from the by-line by Federico Benedettini finds the decisive header of Matteo Prandelli. A second win in three for Andy Selva’s Cosmos, who overcome Tre Penne with two second-half goals. In the first period, though, it is the side from Città who look brighter, but Boldrin – the Gialloverdi keeper – is always assured. Shortly before the half-hour mark, the Biancoazzurri protest strongly for a possible handball by Carbonara in the box, but Maltese referee Petrovic lets play continue. It remains goalless until the 70th minute, when Vandi makes a mistake on halfway; the other number 20, Pierri, steals the ball and slides it in behind for Ben Kacem, who puts on the afterburners, easily skips past Migani and then rolls the ball into the net. Tre Penne respond in the 84th minute with a fine run from Nigretti, which ends with a right-footed effort that Boldrin beats away well. The Biancoazzurri keep pushing but, on 90 minutes, are forced to bow to Cosmos’ second goal, which seals the contest. Pastorelli wins back possession and sends it long for the ever-dangerous Ben Kacem, who, once in the area, lays it off elegantly with the outside of his boot for Rinaldi; for the former La Fiorita marksman it is straightforward, and stretching he beats Migani for 2-0. A third win on the bounce for La Fiorita, who in the 18:00 kick-off edge past a good San Giovanni side by a single goal. It is a blistering start at Montecchio, where both teams find the net early on. It is Tognacci’s Rossoneri who go in front on 3 minutes: Nicola Sartini presses Santi, robs him of the ball and then lays it to the edge of the box for Augusto Garcia Rufer, who controls and fires into the corner. Just a minute later Ambrosini provides the lay-off for Affonso, who, inside the area, swiftly shifts the ball onto his right foot and beats Starna for 1-1. The game remains at a consistently high level, as shown by the fine goal from Cicarelli on 16 minutes, which proves decisive for the Gialloblu: the former Murata man picks up a loose ball on the edge of the area and then curls it beautifully beyond Starna’s reach. The tempo then drops and chances become fewer and farther between. San Giovanni, however, keep pushing for an equaliser, going close on several occasions – above all with Della Valle’s dangerous shot-cross, which forces Vivan into action. La Fiorita, though, hold firm right to the end, claiming yet another precious victory that keeps them on the heels of league leaders Virtus – still five points ahead. Here is the final fixture list for the 24th matchday of the Campionato Sammarinese. Click here for the updated league table.