La Fiorita defend top spot as Cosmos and Virtus close the gap

On the day when the football world pays a final tribute to the legend Pelé, La Fiorita wrap up the first half of the BKN301 Championship season on 32 points – courtesy of 10 wins, 2 defeats and 2 draws. The draw earned this afternoon against Tre Fiori proved crucial in fending off the challenge from the side from Fiorentino, who had taken the lead from the spot on 20 minutes thanks to a penalty won by Dolcini – pulled down by Brighi in the heart of the area. De Falco was flawless, sending Vivan the wrong way and momentarily taking his team top, before the defending champions reclaimed first place on 82 minutes when Vitaioli powered home Amati’s corner with a firm header for the final 1-1. Earlier, Tommaso Zafferani, named Player of the Month for December, had gone within a whisker of the equaliser – which would later arrive through Amati and Vitaioli. The pair had both gone close to giving La Fiorita the lead in the opening stages: the San Marino forward hit the post on 4 minutes, while the midfielder’s stunning acrobatic effort was kept out by a monumental Semprini just five minutes later. On the quarter-hour De Falco struck the woodwork from a free-kick with Vivan beaten. The goalkeeper would then prove decisive on 88 minutes, denying Tre Fiori on their only real foray after the break, when De Lucia was already sizing up the decisive touch that would have sent his side top. Selva’s men will complete the first half of the season against Cosmos next weekend in a clash that will decide the winter champions. If the game ends in a draw, La Fiorita will reach the halfway mark alone at the top. It was a one-sided derby in Dogana, painted yellow and green as early as the 20th minute thanks to a splendid left-footed swivel shot from the edge of the box by Guidi. On the half-hour Savelli all but seals the win, meeting Zulli’s pinpoint cross with a well-placed header. After Guidi failed to take a chance to make it 3-0 to Cosmos around the half-hour mark, it was Folgore who threatened with a free-kick from the edge of the area by Santoni, just centimetres away from Simoncini’s top corner. The duel resumed on 40 minutes when the Folgore winger struggled to bring the ball under control and fired wide from close range with the chance to make it 2-1. It was a miss to regret, especially considering that Cosmos needed only five minutes after the restart to add a third, again through Guidi – this time with a header from a Prandelli cross. Berardi’s side eased off and Folgore went close to scoring, also protesting for a penalty not awarded midway through the second half. In the closing stages Simoncini was called into action, responding well to efforts from Serafini and Garcia, while at the other end Zulli went on a solo run to put the finishing touch to a perfect afternoon for Cosmos, completing the rout with a fourth goal at the end of an irresistible slalom. Virtus also keep up their title-chasing pace, overcoming San Giovanni with a goal in each half. Bizzotto’s side started strongly, almost taking the lead early on through Ciacci and then having to ride out a few opposition counter-attacks. It was, however, a poacher’s finish from Sorrentino that broke the deadlock, the forward in the right place at the right time to turn De Angelis’ save from Angeli’s header into gold. With a slice of luck, three minutes into the second half, Virtus doubled their advantage. A long and elaborate move freed Battistini 20 metres out: his right-footed shot clipped the heel of Sopranzi, wrong-footing De Angelis. San Giovanni had a huge chance to get back into it on 54 minutes, when Nicola Sartini nutmegged Gori, who then brought him down in the area. Boldrini stepped up to take responsibility from the spot, but crashed his effort against the crossbar. Greppi was given half an hour and showed yet again how much of an impact his availability has on San Giovanni’s performance: after a central right-footed effort, he led a lightning counter-attack that ended with a low drive narrowly wide. It was not enough to unsettle the black-and-greens’ backline, who return home with three precious points and a valuable clean sheet. There was plenty of entertainment between Cailungo and Fiorentino, with goals and chances at both ends. The first opportunity fell to Apezteguia, who was inches away from scoring on 12 minutes. The opener, however, came at the other end when Dolcini intercepted in midfield and immediately released Torsani, who produced a stunning long-range strike to beat Benedettini from an almost impossible angle. Cailungo were fully in the contest, but Apezteguia and Marinaro lacked composure at the key moments. It was the forwards who were misfiring, not the midfielders: Senja proved that by picking out the perfect trajectory to level matters on 43 minutes. It was a day to remember for the Albanian, who, early in the second half, drove through the middle to collect Bara’s assist and beat Bianchi with a precise diagonal finish for his brace and Cailungo’s comeback – 2-1 ahead. Benedettini’s saves preserved the lead, while Bianchi’s reflexes allowed Fiorentino to stay in it right up to the final minute, when the equalising chance did indeed materialise. Sottile made the most of it, striking first time on Torsani’s scuffed and unintended knockdown and finding the top corner. Cailungo, however, almost had the last word, though it remained only a possibility: Zafferani broke through the middle but fired straight at Bianchi from a great position. A nervy finale saw Iuzzolino sent off. Tomorrow’s matches will also be available to watch free of charge, live with commentary from the stadiums on TITANI.TV. To do so, simply complete registration on the platform of the same name and access the match or matches you are interested in. Here is the partial picture from the fourteenth matchday of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301:

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