Championship: Prandelli answers Tre Penne’s four-goal haul, no change at the top

The head-to-head at the top between Cosmos and Tre Penne continues, with both sides winning their respective fixtures in the early matches of the 25th round of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301. There is no change at the summit, with just a single point still separating Berardi’s league leaders from Ceci’s men. The round was opened last night by the Biancazzurri, who – thanks to their win over rivals Libertas – moved top of the table, albeit only for one night. In the first half goalkeeper Battistini kept his side in it with some fine saves; right at the end of the half Badalassi struck the post and the score remained goalless. At the restart, Nigretti hit the woodwork again, but on 70 minutes the deadlock was finally broken: Battistini came out on Badalassi, the referee produced a yellow card amid protests from the Città players, which quickly turned to joy as from the ensuing free-kick Luca Righini curled home the opener. Shortly after, a coming together in the box between Perretta and Ceccaroli prompted Avoni to point to the spot: Righini stepped up again, made no mistake and doubled the lead. Tre Penne’s third also came from a set piece, with Giovagnoli swinging in a late corner for Pieri to head home. The Biancazzurri’s fourth bore the signature of captain Nicola Gai, who, excellently picked out by Ceccaroli, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly slotted in for 4-0. Cosmos – duty-bound to respond – this afternoon took longer than expected to break the deadlock against Fiorentino. In the first half, Bianchi and his team did well to shut down the Gialloverdi attacks. After the break, however, Berardi’s side stepped up a gear, but Bianchi produced several excellent saves to deny Prandelli and company. The goal that sealed the three points arrived a quarter of an hour from time: yet another cross from Pastorelli found Prandelli, who headed the ball into the far corner where this time Bianchi could not reach it. For Prandelli it is his 16th goal of the season, keeping him top of the scoring charts. Shortly afterwards Zulli had the chance to kill off the contest but hit the post. It was enough, though, for Cosmos to bank three more crucial points and stay top of the table. Chasing the leading duo are La Fiorita, who returned to winning ways with a 2-0 success over Pennarossa. The match immediately went the right way for Manfredini’s Gialloblu: on 15 minutes Gasperoni crossed from the right, the Biancorossi defence tried to clear, but in the area Russo settled it with a stunning overhead kick. La Fiorita’s second arrived shortly afterwards: once again Gasperoni worked well down his flank and delivered another trademark ball into the box, Benedettini palmed it out weakly and Pancotti arrived to fire in the 2-0. After the break things went from bad to worse for Pennarossa, who were reduced to ten men on 68 minutes when Daniele Conti received his marching orders for a second yellow (the first had been shown only a few minutes earlier). With the extra man, La Fiorita managed proceedings comfortably and secured three points that keep them third (six points off top spot). Folgore also won, ending their run of three consecutive defeats. Paying the price were Cailungo, who slipped to a 14th league defeat and remain bottom of the standings. The match was unlocked midway through the first half with a fine long-range effort from Sartori into the corner, leaving Benedettini rooted to the spot. Cailungo reacted well, capitalising on a defensive lapse and scoring through a delightful chip from Canini. Lepri’s side immediately lifted their heads again and regained the lead before the interval, with Mattia Urbinati – on for the injured Garcia – making the most of a fine Serafini cross and beating Benedettini with a header. Shortly after the 2-1 goal, the referee also showed a second yellow card – for dissent – to Manuel Muccioli, leaving the Rossoverdi down to ten men. At the start of the second half, it was once more the Falciano side who found the net, this time through Marco Bernardi, who headed home from a corner for the third. Lepri’s men made it four shortly afterwards through Serafini, who led a counter-attack, exchanged neatly with Di Marzio and then beat Benedettini. In the closing stages, Cailungo pulled one back, with Zafferani heading past Pollini. Thanks to this win, Folgore remain firmly in seventh place. The only draw of the day came in the thriller between Juvenes-Dogana and Faetano. After a goalless first half, it was the Gialloblu who struck first with Mema’s tenth goal of the season, his precise diagonal finish beating Gentilini. Amati’s side, however, did not give up and soon found the equaliser: a good run from Pasolini set up Colonna, who unleashed a powerful left-footed strike for 1-1. Only eight minutes later Juvenes-Dogana went in front as well: Tumidei battled well on the edge of the box and slipped in D'Angeli – brought on at half-time – who kept his cool and beat Porcellini for 2-1. Girolomoni’s men refused to lie down and poured forward in search of a leveller. On 84 minutes Mema went down in the box after a challenge and the referee pointed to the spot. Mema took responsibility and duly converted, restoring parity. Late on, Gatti went agonisingly close to snatching a sensational win for Faetano, but it finished 2-2. A draw that suits Juvenes-Dogana more, as they stay in the play-off spots, while Faetano, if the season ended today, would miss out on the post-season. The 25th round will be completed tomorrow with two late fixtures. In Fiorentino, Domagnano face Tre Fiori, while in Montecchio the schedule pits Virtus against Murata. Both matches kick off at 15:00 and, as always, will be streamed live with commentary on Titani.tv. Here is the picture after the early games of the 25th round of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301:

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