League: Cosmos climb again as Juvenes-Dogana and Domagnano return to winning ways

A fiery clash was expected in Acquaviva between Cosmos and Murata – the 3:00 p.m. showpiece among the early kick-offs of the 13th BKN301 League round – and it lived up to the billing. In the end it was Nicola Berardi’s side who edged it, claiming a fifth straight win with a narrow success over Angelini’s team, who never gave up until the very last. The goal that broke the deadlock arrived early and bore the signature of Ben Kacem: picked out by Zulli on the edge of the box, the yellow-green forward tried a first-time turn, Gueye parried but only as far as the former Libertas and Fiorentino man, who fired in on the rebound. Murata reacted immediately and went in search of the equaliser. Right at the end of the first half Cosmos could have doubled their lead with a fine left-footed effort from distance by Berardi, but Gueye flew across goal to tip it away. After the restart the Bianconeri upped the tempo and chances began to rain down. Shortly before the hour mark, Gega from the left picked out Daniel Cicarelli in the box; he shot with his right but the ball flashed just past the post. On 62 minutes Rodrigues tried his luck from long range with a powerful, accurate strike, but Simoncini produced a superb save to deny the leveller. Murata believed more and more and, a minute later, squandered a huge chance to make it 1-1 when Cicarelli found Peters completely unmarked at the far post, but his close-range header missed the target. Cosmos tried to shake themselves and on 67 minutes could again have doubled their lead: from D’Addario’s cross from the right, the ball struck Vasconcellos’ arm and, according to the referee and his assistant, it was a penalty, amid furious Bianconeri protests. Errico stepped up but smashed his spot-kick against the post. Murata took heart and poured forward once more. On 74 minutes they had another great chance to draw level, but Roberto Di Maio was monumental in clearing the ball off the line after Cunha’s powerful run down the left and cutback into the area. The drama was not over, because on 80 minutes Cosmos won another penalty: Prandelli was brought down in the box and referee Andruccioli had no doubts, pointing straight to the spot. This time the yellow-green marksman took responsibility again and made no mistake, scoring his fourteenth goal (in thirteen games). Even then Murata did not give up hope and, on 90 minutes, reduced the arrears through Peters in a goalmouth scramble. It was not enough, though, to prevent defeat for Angelini’s Bianconeri, who are overtaken in the table by the Serravalle club, now one point ahead. In fine form too are San Giovanni, who made it three wins on the bounce with a comprehensive 3-0 over bottom side Pennarossa. The victory was wrapped up in the first half in the space of just fifteen minutes. After hitting the woodwork twice in the same move through Contadini and Nicola Sartini, Tognacci’s men went ahead on the half-hour with Robba’s winning header from a Boldrini corner. The second followed a few minutes later, Nicola Sartini turning in after a sustained Rossoneri attack. The third, which effectively killed off the contest early, came courtesy of Azael Garcia Rufer, who beat Lazzarini with a precise diagonal effort. Pennarossa were floored by the blow and never managed to react. Thanks to this win San Giovanni move up to 17 points, consolidating seventh place. Just behind the Rossoneri in the table sit, for the moment, Juvenes-Dogana, who ended their long wait for a win with a 3-1 success over Faetano. The match in Montecchio started at a blistering pace: first Capriotti struck the post after just 120 seconds, then from the very next attack Bendetti – quickest to react to a short save from yellow-blue keeper Pelliccioni – put Amati’s side in front. Faetano, however, restored parity on 18 minutes through Brisigotti, who earned and then converted the penalty for 1-1. Early in the second half Juvenes-Dogana struck again, this time from another penalty – Colonna stepping up to convert for 2-1. The decisive moment for the Serravalle club arrived shortly before the hour mark: Benedetti broke down the left and crossed, where Gian Maria Borghini arrived in the six-yard box and could not miss the third. Juvenes-Dogana pulled away and Faetano were unable to peg back Amati’s team, who returned to winning ways for the first time since 21 October. Domagnano came from behind to win, their 3-1 victory over San Marino Academy earning three precious points that lift them back into the play-off positions in the characteristically tight mid-lower section of the table. Cecchetti’s boys went in front midway through the first half, Mattia Sancisi settling a scramble after a corner to score his first goal in an Academy shirt. The lead lasted until the start of the second half, when the Giallorossi found the equaliser through Gregori, who diverted Donati’s shot-cross past Battistini. Domagnano’s winner arrived shortly before the hour: Perazzini reached the by-line and cut the ball back, Battistini could only parry and Ceccaroli was the quickest to react, putting his side ahead. Academy could not find a response and, late on, conceded a third: Parma unleashed a powerful effort from distance, Battistini failed to deal with it convincingly and Gregori pounced to make it 3-1 and complete his brace. The only sour note of the day for the Giallorossi was Donati’s sending-off deep into stoppage time. Responding to Cosmos’ afternoon win and closing in on the leading trio were Tre Fiori, thanks to a 2-1 victory over Libertas in the only 6:15 p.m. fixture of the round. De Falco’s Gialloblu broke the deadlock immediately: Cecconi controlled in the area, the ball struck Grieco’s arm and the referee pointed to the spot. Cecconi took responsibility and calmly converted to put his side in front. The second Gialloblu goal followed shortly after: Fedeli won the ball high up the pitch and, on reaching the edge of the box, drilled in a precise diagonal shot that beat Elia Benedettini. The match seemed all but over for Tre Fiori, but towards the end of the half came the moment that complicated De Falco and his team’s evening: Islamaj crossed for Cecconi, who failed to control the ball properly and, in the process, collided with Rosti. The referee deemed the contact illegal and produced a yellow card for the already-booked Tre Fiori striker, meaning it turned to red and he left his side down to ten men, amid protests. Cecconi will also miss the Epiphany blockbuster between Tre Fiori and Tre Penne, which opens 2024. De Falco will not be on the bench either, having been dismissed before the break for protesting against the referee. In the second half Libertas tried to make the most of their numerical advantage and get back into the game. Tre Fiori held out until the 86th minute, when Greco, their standout performer, picked up the ball on the right and cut inside all the way into the six-yard box before beating Nardi with a fine finish. Libertas’ late siege, however, was not enough as Tre Fiori held firm to take all three points. Here is the updated schedule for the 13th BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese matchday, with all games broadcast live – with full commentary – on TITANI.TV:

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