League: Bonetti steals the show and Domagnano don’t slip up, Pennarossa and Fiorentino win again

Domagnano continue their excellent league form and, driven by a ruthless Bonetti – a hat-trick for him – they beat Faetano as well and stay close to the leaders. Pennarossa and Fiorentino also do well as they win again: a second straight victory for the Biancorossi with a 2-0 over Cailungo, and a third win (again 1-0) for the Rossoblù against San Marino Academy.

The match in Acquaviva starts in the best possible way for Manuel Amati’s side, whose coach was presented pre-match with the K-Sport award as Coach of the Month for November. The opener is scored by the other award winner in the Giallorossi camp – Bonetti – who collected the Tim San Marino MVP prize for best player: in the 18th minute the striker meets a pass from Contadini and with a powerful left-footed strike leaves Venturini no chance. Shortly after, in the 21st minute, Bonetti has a chance to double the lead, but Domagnano are in full control and extend their advantage again on 29 minutes. This time Ferraro wins the ball in the inside-right channel off Renzi and shoots directly at goal; Venturini gets a touch but cannot keep it out.

After the break, Faetano radically change their attitude and respond. First Lenzu goes within centimetres of scoring (54’), then the goal does arrive on 62 minutes thanks to substitute Abbadessa, who pounces on a defensive lapse from Domagnano and slots past Maggioli. That ends Domagnano’s unbeaten run, which had lasted 510 minutes. The goal fires up Faetano, who create two further chances to equalise: first on 77 minutes with a shot-cross from Lenzu, then on 81 minutes when Kokeri blazes over from a great position. Domagnano, though, can count on an inspired Bonetti, and he kills the game off at the end. On 85 minutes Sopranzi’s header hits the post, the loose ball falls to Bonetti, who shoots; Venturini clears, but the ball had already crossed the line. The final 4-1 goal is a moment of brilliance, completing his hat-trick (his second after the one against Murata): Amati drives into the box from the left, the Gialloblù defence closes him down but the ball pops up in the area, and the league’s top scorer settles it with an overhead kick. Eleventh goal in twelve matches for Bonetti, the undisputed star of the day. Domagnano win and stay three points off top spot.

Pennarossa’s win also comes after the interval. In the first half in Montecchio it is Cailungo who play better, forcing two great saves from Manuel Filippo Tordella. The Pennarossa goalkeeper is decisive again at the start of the second half, matched by his opposite number Gallinetta at the other end. In the 55th minute, though, the deadlock is finally broken: a vertical pass from Arlotti finds Pintore right on the offside line; the Pennarossa captain bursts through on goal and nutmegs Gallinetta. As for sealing the result, that is down to the ever-reliable Filippo Tordella – among the best on the pitch – who on 69 minutes denies Hirsch. Ricchiuti’s side are ruthless and double their lead in the 75th minute: Dulcetti shoots from the edge of the box and Gallinetta parries, but on the rebound Zahir strikes it first time, catching the Rossoverdi goalkeeper out. A minute later Cailungo have another chance through De Luca, but once again Filippo Tordella comes up with a big save to shut down the Rossoverdi’s comeback hopes. Pennarossa take the win and in the table they draw level with Juvenes-Dogana on 16 points in eighth place.

Third win in a row – all by a single goal – for Fiorentino: without the suspended Abouzziane, it is Pesenti who sinks San Marino Academy. The first half is balanced but uneventful; the second half sees the game open up. It is substitute Belward, introduced at half-time, who changes the pace for Costantini’s Rossoblù, but Borasco saves everything at the start of the second period. Fiorentino push on and in the 48th minute come up with what proves to be the winning goal: a corner from captain Molinari is met by the head of Pesenti, who gets in front of Borasco and makes it 1-0. Things get even harder for Di Maio’s Titani when, on 69 minutes, Mattia Ciacci goes in late on Belward and is shown a red card. In the 73rd minute Fiorentino could wrap it up through Diop, who does well to capitalise on a mistake by Borasco but then fails to hit the target with the goal gaping. In the end, though, Pesenti’s goal is enough for the Rossoblù to get the better of the Academy – who suffer a third straight defeat – and to record their third consecutive victory.

Below is the full fixture list for the twelfth matchday of the Campionato Sammarinese: