League: Comuniello seals Murata’s last-gasp comeback

A double-filled afternoon in the late kick-offs of Matchday 26 in the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301. The most significant one, looking at the table, bears the signature of Andrea Comuniello, who in the closing stages of Murata-Cailungo delivers a comeback win for the Bianconeri, lifting the City club into the play-off zone and likely putting an end to Cailungo’s hopes of getting back into it. In the first half Murata squander a couple of huge chances with Valentini and Ura and are punished by Giangrandi’s strike – not held by Gueye. Canini shows all his poacher’s instinct and composure, pouncing on the rebound and rounding the keeper before slotting home for 1-0, a lead Protti’s men take into the dressing rooms. However, captain Iuzzolino is shown an immediate red card at the start of the second half, a moment that heavily conditions the rest of the contest. Comuniello turns the game Murata’s way, starting with an absolute gem on 82 minutes, skipping past two players in a tight space before beating Benedettini from close range. The Bianconeri playmaker then strikes again six minutes later, finishing off a lightning Murata counter – sparked by a Ferraro recovery which prompted furious protests from Cailungo. Protti pays the price and is sent off, just like his opposite number Angelini, who is dismissed a few minutes later. Tre Fiori struggle to impose themselves in the Fiorentino castle derby, although they do emerge victorious at the end of the ninety minutes against Malandri’s Fiorentino. The Rossoblù stay in the game and are willing to go toe to toe with their highly rated opponents, who go ahead at the start of the second half thanks to the Falzetta-Gjurchinoski combination. The Tre Fiori striker meets the low cross from the winger perfectly, finding the far corner past Bianchi. Fiorentino, though, remain in contention and at the dawn of the 72nd minute find the equaliser. A brilliant through ball from D’Addario picks out Torsani, who ghosts in behind Jara and lifts a delicate first-time lob over Semprini. Parity lasts just six minutes, enough time for Bernardi to burst down the flank and go to ground in a challenge with Baizan – deemed worthy of a penalty by Maltese referee Casha. From the spot Rizzo is denied by the miracle save from Bianchi, who tips the ball onto the post. However, it falls kindly to Gjurchinoski, who has no trouble turning in the winner to complete his brace, aided by the glaring passivity of three opponents standing on the edge of the box. Tre Fiori move up to 53 points, level with La Fiorita. It’s a convincing performance from Manfredini’s men, who run out 3-0 winners and still leave several other chances unconverted. The opener arrives a minute before half-time, when Pancotti latches onto Porcellini’s punched clearance to finish unmarked. Faetano’s best opportunities come in first-half stoppage time, but Ferrario’s efforts fail to hit the target. After the break La Fiorita put the win beyond doubt, doubling their lead on 57 minutes from the spot through Palazzi – facing his former club. Something Amati had been unable to do three minutes earlier, denied by a super Porcellini, who is decisive again on the rebound before Greco’s glaring miss with the goal gaping. Faetano lay down their arms and Girolomoni’s goalkeeper is left to perform heroics. Rinaldi also rattles the crossbar late on, before Pancotti completes his brace, needing only to tap in Abouzziane’s brilliant assist.

---