Coppa Titano: Narrow win for Folgore, Murata held. League: back on the pitch tomorrow for Matchday 3

There was great balance last night in the final two fixtures that wrapped up the first legs of the BKN301 Coppa Titano Round of 16. The only win of the evening went to Folgore, who edged Pennarossa in Acquaviva. Early on it was Nobile’s men who tried to break the deadlock, but Venturini was outstanding in keeping out Turrà’s header. The Falciano side began to grow into the game and midway through the half found the decisive spark when Enrico Golinucci, having entered the area, went down under a challenge from Omar Sehail: the referee pointed to the spot and Sartori converted for 1-0. Pennarossa tried to react, but at the start of the second half it was Sehail himself – already booked for the penalty incident – who halted a Folgore attack illegally. Beltrano had no doubts and produced a second yellow for the white-and-red defender. The task became even harder for Nobile’s team with a second dismissal – this time a straight red – for Stephane Traglia, sent off for insulting fourth official Ilie. Folgore looked to make the most of the two-man advantage and also to all but seal qualification: ten minutes from time Sylla reached the byline, cut inside and shot at goal, Lazzarini parried and Francesco Gori fired home, but the flag was up for offside against the striker. The same Gori had another chance in stoppage time, but somehow missed from point-blank range. Pennarossa therefore held on and will try to overturn the tie in the return leg – scheduled for the end of October. Meanwhile, the match in Montecchio between Murata and Domagnano finished goalless. In the league, the Bianconeri are flying with two wins from two and the best attack so far (nine goals scored). The Giallorossi, on the other hand, are still chasing their first points of the season and midway through the first half they went close with Nicolo Angelini, whose turn and shot almost caught out Gueye, the ball drifting just wide. Murata began to press and their best chance came towards the end of the first half when Rafael Brescianini worked the ball well on the right and crossed, and Raul Ura curled a right-footed effort onto the top of the crossbar. At the start of the second half, substitute Donati also went close after a fine run ended with a diagonal effort that shaved the post. Angelini’s side pushed harder and harder but Domagnano kept things tight right to the end, taking home a precious draw that keeps the qualification battle wide open. Here is the full picture from the first legs of the 2023-24 BKN301 Coppa Titano Round of 16: *The match at the Ezio Conti in Dogana was not broadcast live due to renovation work on the stand and dressing rooms at the venue. With the Coppa Titano first legs completed, the national competitions in the Republic continue their tour de force. Everyone is back on the pitch for Matchday 3 of the BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese, scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday 1 October. One of the most intriguing clashes is between Juvenes-Dogana and a Virtus side with a 100% record (Domagnano, 15:00). Two narrow wins so far for the Neroverdi, who sit top – alongside La Fiorita and Murata – and have yet to concede a goal with Passaniti and company between the posts. Facing them is an unbeaten Juvenes-Dogana (one draw and one win), coming off a midweek draw with Libertas. Having been handed a bye in the cup as holders of the trophy, the Neroverdi will be able to count on fresher legs. Just behind Virtus and level on points with the Dogana side are Cosmos, who will lock horns with San Giovanni (Fiorentino, 15:00). Berardi’s team – unbeaten across league and cup – are looking to get back to winning ways after last week’s league draw with Folgore. The Rossoneri, by contrast, are coming off two defeats: a narrow loss to Tre Fiori in the league and a 4-1 reverse against Fiorentino in the cup in midweek. Speaking of the Rossoblù, tomorrow sees the derby against their rivals Tre Fiori (Acquaviva, 15:00). Fiorentino head into the game buoyed by their fine midweek win inspired by Niang and eager to return to league victory after last weekend’s setback against Cailungo. De Falco’s side – level on points in the table with Camillini’s Rossoblù – picked up their first win of the season in the last league round after losing on opening day, and are coming off a cup draw with Faetano. That 2-2 result has given Pellegrino’s Gialloblù a lift, and tomorrow they will try to pick up their first league points after two straight defeats. Libertas will be Faetano’s opponents (Montecchio, 15:00), and the cup has also brought a little breathing space for the Granata thanks to the draw with Juvenes-Dogana, which halted the negative run against La Fiorita and Murata. Sunday’s menu features the other two league leaders. La Fiorita are up first and will take on Folgore (Acquaviva, 15:00). The Gialloblù of Montegiardino have also been flawless in the cup, giving them an almost perfect record so far. Lasagni’s side – with the coach facing his former club – are not far behind, remaining unbeaten in both the league and Coppa Titano. Murata, meanwhile, will take to the field in the evening (Montecchio, 18:15) against the same Domagnano team they met on Thursday night in the cup. While the Bianconeri aim to extend their positive run, the Giallorossi are desperately seeking goals (just one scored so far) and points to climb the table. Like Domagnano, San Marino Academy and Pennarossa are also still without points (Montecchio, 15:00). Matteo Cecchetti’s youngsters want to build on the encouraging display against reigning champions Tre Penne, while Pennarossa are still waiting to get going in attack (they are the only team yet to score in either league or cup). Tre Penne are also in action on Sunday, sitting on four points in the table and coming off a draw in the big cup tie with Cosmos. Ceci’s side will face Cailungo (Fiorentino, 15:00). The Rossoverdi, after picking up their first league win last weekend, were then beaten in midweek by La Fiorita. Below is the fixture list for Matchday 3 of the 2023-24 BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese. All matches will be broadcast live and free of charge, with Italian commentary, on the TITANI.TV platform:

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