Championship: goalless top clash, Juvenes-Dogana back to winning ways

The top clash of matchday ten in the Campionato Sammarinese ends goalless. Virtus and Tre Fiori cancel each other out in Acquaviva, so nothing changes at the top, with the Neroverdi and the Gialloblù still jointly leading the table. On a tenth matchday marked by heavy snowfall over the higher areas of the territory, the first chance in Acquaviva falls to Scappini (9’) with a turn in the box that drifts just wide. The reigning champions keep pressing and on 19 minutes build down the left, but the Gialloblù defence repels efforts from Scappini and Zenoni. Tre Fiori sit deep and look to counter, as on the half-hour when a fine first-time ball from Prandelli sends Bernardi through on goal; Passaniti reads it well and rushes out bravely without committing a foul. After the break, each side has an early chance: Scappini’s header lacks power and is comfortable for Nardi, then on the counterattack Bernardi is brought down in the area but referee Xhafa waves play on amid the protests of the entire Gialloblù contingent. The match remains finely balanced and, late on, Passaniti has to stretch again to keep out a Prandelli header just before the ninetieth minute. Little of note happens in the four minutes of added time and in Acquaviva it finishes 0-0. It’s a second draw of the campaign for both teams, and the first time Virtus have failed to score.

Juvenes-Dogana, on the other hand, return to a win that had eluded them for two months, beating Faetano 3-1 in Dogana. Boldrini’s side break the deadlock after 7 minutes, when a corner from Gaiani finds the head of Nicola Sartini. On 20 minutes there are muted protests from Faetano for a coming together in the box that Colonna deems legal. The Gialloblù push on and on the half-hour manage to restore parity: a cross from the left by Tugliani fails to find a team-mate but its trajectory is wicked for Colonna, who can’t reach it, and it’s 1-1. Juvenes-Dogana react and, before the interval, regain the lead again from a corner – this time taken by Giacomo Borghini – swung into the area; in the scramble captain Mazzavillani brings it under control and rifles it on target for 2-1. The goal that settles it for the Dogana club arrives on 64 minutes: a Gaiani free-kick from deep is helped on to Bakalyar, who puts it back across goal, where Benedetti is perfectly placed to head home the final 3-1 from close range.

Comprehensive win for La Fiorita in Acquaviva in the 18:15 kick-off against Pennarossa. The game is unlocked after just 7 minutes when Affonso reaches the by-line and pulls it to the far post for Zaccaria, who manages to shoot; Filippo Tordella beats it away but, according to the referee, the ball had already crossed the line. The second goal for Protti’s side – today without the suspended Ceci – is a real beauty: Semprini advances into the final third, then opts for the direct shot, a powerful and precise right-footer that flies into the top corner. Pennarossa try to respond through Dulcetti, whose effort shaves the post, but La Fiorita break again and strike once more. On 37 minutes Cicarelli plays a short corner to Zaccaria, who swings it into the box where Barretta stretches to turn in the third. In the closing stages of the half, Filippo Tordella produces yet another crucial save to prevent an even heavier scoreline in the first 45 minutes. The script doesn’t change after the restart, with the Gialloblù dominating and creating numerous chances, while the Biancorossi cling on through their goalkeeper. Just before the hour, La Fiorita add a fourth with a long ball from Brighi to Affonso, who brings it down, beats his marker and finishes past Tordella with his left. Joining in the Gialloblù’s goal fest is Matteo Vitaioli, quick to turn in after Mazzotti’s long-range strike rattles both posts, rounding off an unforgettable week (on target tonight having made his 100th appearance for the San Marino National Team last Tuesday). Referee Nicola Villa adds no stoppage time and in Acquaviva it ends 5-0 to La Fiorita.

The final fixture in Saturday’s programme for matchday ten was Tre Penne v Murata. Initially scheduled for 18:15 in Montecchio, the snow pushed kick-off back by 30 minutes and the match was moved to the artificial pitch in Domagnano. The first chance of the game comes on 18 minutes with a penalty to the Biancoazzurri from Città for a foul by Socciarelli on Pastorelli. Peluso steps up, but Bracconi guesses right and keeps it out with a fine save. On the rebound, Peluso does find the net but from an offside position. Half an hour in, Tre Penne do manage to break through with a neat move in tight space from Peluso for Pastorelli, who drills a left-footed effort into the far corner.

The second half starts with a lengthy delay while the pitch markings, “erased” by the snow that fell on the Domagnano surface during the first 45 minutes, are restored. As soon as play resumes, there is a clear opportunity for Murata to equalise through Salemme, but Ferrani closes him down brilliantly. Shortly afterwards comes a gilt-edged chance for Tre Penne to double their lead: De Melo goes one-on-one with Bracconi but cannot beat him. The goal that seals the contest arrives on 85 minutes: a long clearance from Migani picks out Berardi, the National Team forward controls, glides between two defenders and finishes left-footed to wrap it up. In Domagnano it ends 2-0 to Tre Penne.

Matchday ten concludes tomorrow with four fixtures. In addition to the three games already on the schedule, today’s snowfall has postponed until tomorrow the clash between Domagnano and San Marino Academy – initially set to be played in Fiorentino – which will now take place on the artificial pitch in Dogana.

Here is the partial programme for the tenth round of the championship: