Championship: Tre Penne stay in the Scudetto hunt

A precious win for Tre Penne in the Città Castle derby against Murata. Ceci’s side struck in the closing stages through goals from Barretta and Pieri, cutting the gap to La Fiorita and to the summit in general – now six points away. Cicarelli and Dormi were denied by the goalkeepers early on, while on the half-hour Tre Penne appealed for a penalty when Benedettini came out, reached the ball and then clattered into Pieri. There were protests in the opposite box as well, when Lombardi – attempting to clear – struck his own arm. After the break the reigning champions saw their opener ruled out for offside by Badalassi on Pieri’s touch. At the other end Gaiani went close again, testing Migani’s reflexes. The goal was in the air and duly arrived on 71 minutes, when from Poggi’s floated cross Barretta rose highest, guiding his header into the top corner. Ten minutes later Badalassi almost produced a spectacular goal with an overhead attempt, before Pieri wrapped it up on 84 minutes, pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty area. The title holders thus remain on the heels of Virtus and La Fiorita, both still to be faced between now and the end of a regular season that promises to be even more thrilling than the last. Faetano had to win and did so, virtually securing victory over Cailungo thanks to a blistering start. It takes Lisi just 100" to meet Brisigotti’s assist and beat La Monaca, aided by a deflection. On ten minutes it is Brisigotti himself who doubles the lead from the spot. Cailungo try to respond with a weaving run from Giangrandi and a tame left-footed effort by Mastria. Sarti’s men have their best chance to get back into the game on 45 minutes with Lago, who thunders a shot off the crossbar after ghosting in behind Casadei. In the second half Raschi goes down in a one-on-one with Manzaroli, claiming a penalty that referee Hafidi instead judges to be a fair challenge. Cailungo’s efforts go unrewarded even at the death, allowing Faetano to celebrate a crucial victory in the race for twelfth place. That spot moves five points further away for San Marino Academy, beaten 2-1 by Juvenes-Dogana. The first to go close to breaking the deadlock, however, is D’Addario, who rattles a sensational crossbar in the 7th minute. The reply from the Serravalle club brings the 1-0 goal, courtesy of a surging run by Gianmaria Borghini and the unlucky deflection by Zavoli into his own net. Juvenes-Dogana are denied a second on the stroke of half-time only by Battistini’s fine save from Merli. It takes a penalty, though, to put the game on ice: Nicolò Sancisi tugs Cevoli back and Nicola Villa points to the spot. Colonna makes no mistake and beats Battistini, who gets close to the save. With the Academy now stretched in search of a goal, Juvenes-Dogana go close to a third on several occasions – hitting the bar twice, through Gianmaria Borghini and Colonna. On 77 minutes Famiglietti pulls one back, combining well with Cevoli behind him to tidy up a scuffed shot from Alessandro Renzi and beat Gentilini. The chance to level falls to Casadei in the 86th minute, but from the heart of the box the winger fails to make contact with the ball. Montecchio hosts the only draw of the evening, which sees Fiorentino and San Giovanni lose ground on seventh-placed Juvenes-Dogana. Tognacci’s side come flying out of the blocks, going in front as early as the 9th minute through Aprea after a fine one-two with Bruma. A powerful run from Corinti midway through the half and Bruma’s resulting header further legitimise the Rossoneri’s lead, and they have to thank Santi’s last-gasp in extremis clearance to avoid conceding Salemme’s equaliser on the half-hour. More frustration for the forward comes with the last ball of the first half: he does well to lose his marker and heads towards the top corner, where De Angelis flies across to keep it out. After the restart Bruma is wasteful from a great position. Two minutes later, Fiorentino do not return the favour. From a corner – after De Angelis has already parried a Gimenez header – Abouzziane plays the ball back across and captain Boldrini’s touch diverts it into his own net for the equaliser. The chance for a new San Giovanni lead falls to Stefano Sartini, but the defender is denied by Benedettini. The Rossoneri press with increasing insistence, yet the scoreline does not change; not even when D’Angeli breaks through on 69 minutes and beats Benedettini, only to see his diagonal effort drift centimetres wide of the upright of an unguarded goal. Below is the full schedule for matchday 22 of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301, with all fixtures available on-demand on Titani.tv:

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