Futsal: San Giovanni get the better of Folgore, draw between Fiorentino and Cosmos

Tre Penne and Domagnano have broken away in a head-to-head battle for fifth place, both winning in the advance fixtures of matchday 17 of the Campionato Sammarinese – the round in which bottom side Libertas sit out with their scheduled bye. As expected, there were comfortable wins for Virtus and La Fiorita, while San Giovanni claimed a massive victory over Folgore, just as Fiorentino failed to leapfrog the Falciano club after being held 2-2 by Cosmos. Fabio Gasperoni’s Domagnano had to work hard for all three points against Cailungo and also had to cope without Lorenzo Bollini, who suffered a shoulder injury in the first half and was unable to return to the court. It was captain Menghi who pulled the chestnuts out of the fire for the Giallorossi, scoring in the 52nd minute to keep Domagnano level on points with Tre Penne. Playing at the same time in Dogana, the Biancazzurri got the better of Juvenes-Dogana in almost identical fashion: after two thirds of the match in perfect balance, an own goal from Thomas Celli broke the deadlock against Levani’s side, who were then floored by Gamba’s second at 55'. The Serravalle outfit also had to survive two minutes with a man down following Bagnasco’s red card, which arrived five minutes after going behind. Fiorentino and Folgore are eleven points adrift of fifth place, not least because of a less than impressive run of form in recent weeks. The Rossoblù had to settle for a draw with Cosmos, after losing two of their previous three games. It was a double exchange of blows in Domagnano: Morri struck at the end of the first half, with Molinas levelling at the start of the second. Muccioli’s Gialloverdi even went in front through Cecchetti three minutes from time, but the ever-reliable Morri spared Fiorentino from defeat with the final 2-2 goal in the 58th minute. Shortly afterwards, Folgore slipped to their eighth league defeat, their third loss in the last five outings. Zonzini’s men were beaten by San Giovanni, who went two goals up before the interval thanks to Berardi and Volpinari. Ercolani’s strike on 35' gave the Giallorossoneri hope, but they were unable to complete the comeback. It is a strong boost to San Giovanni’s play-off hopes for Franchino’s side, especially in light of the defeats suffered by Faetano and Cailungo. With Rossoverdi already mentioned, Faetano also came away empty-handed last night. In truth, La Fiorita showed no intention of easing up. Five goals in the first half, with Pellegrini, Fumia and Baldelli adding to Paesini’s early brace. After the break there was room on the scoresheet for Matteo Chezzi and Giuccioli, as well as a Caruso own goal. The downside for the Montegiardino club was Pellegrini’s sending-off: the pivot will be suspended for next week’s top-of-the-table clash in Dogana. In Fiorentino, Traviglia’s side ran out 8-0 winners. The same goal difference, but a 9-1 scoreline, separated Virtus and Tre Fiori. After Andrea Di Maio’s opener, Tamagnini replied to make it 1-1, but the Neroverdi found further goals through Morganti and Cevoli to take a two-goal cushion into half-time. The second half was a monologue from Michelotti’s side, who scored through Pasqualini (brace), Di Maio twice more (completing his hat-trick), Stolfi and Cevoli again (brace, counting his first-half goal). These expected victories serve to crank up the interest in tonight’s late fixture in Acquaviva, where Murata and Pennarossa face off. At present, the top four sides are separated by just four points. It goes without saying that if Murata fail to win, the title race will remain extraordinarily tight – a virtually unprecedented scenario in the history of Sammarinese futsal. Here is the partial programme for matchday 17 of the Campionato Sammarinese di futsal: Click here for the updated standings

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