League: Fiorentino win again, late equaliser for Cosmos

Fiorentino, Pennarossa and Faetano all claim narrow victories, while Cosmos rescue a draw in added time against Cailungo. This, in summary, is what happened this afternoon in the four matches that wrapped up the eleventh round of the Campionato Sammarinese.

After last week’s 1-0 win over Cailungo, Fabrizio Costantini’s Fiorentino win by the same scoreline away to Libertas in Acquaviva. The game is lively from the start, with both goalkeepers – Manzaroli and Benedettini – among the standout performers, especially the Fiorentino keeper, who on at least three occasions – against Uva, Maciel and Nicolini – produces three decisive saves. The rossoblù backline hold firm and, in the 41st minute, the attack finally breaks through. Abouzziane picks up the ball in the inside-right channel, drives on to the left edge of the box and shoots directly at goal. The trajectory proves winning for the winger, who breaks the deadlock with a superb strike. Buoyed by the lead, Fiorentino could double it a minute later, but Pesenti wastes the chance in a one-on-one with Manzaroli. After the restart Libertas push again, but they repeatedly run into the ever-reliable Benedettini, who pulls off yet another crucial stop on 61 minutes, this time on Uva’s angled drive. Three minutes later Pesenti once again fails to make it 2-0, and on 80 minutes Mariano’s fine header is met by a brilliant response from Manzaroli. Libertas keep trying until the end, but Fiorentino hold out and collect three more precious points that lift them up to tenth place.

One point above Fiorentino sit Pennarossa, who defeat Murata 2-1 thanks to a brace from Gabriele Varrella. The early initiative, though, belongs to the Bianconeri, who take the lead through Labas, sharpest to the near post to turn in Cirillo’s cross. The advantage lasts 10 minutes, because on 22 minutes the Biancorossi defender climbs highest to make the most of Domini’s pinpoint free-kick delivery. At the end of the first half Pennarossa go close to going in front with Pintore hitting the post in an entertaining contest. The second half is just as eventful, with Murata having two early chances – first through Bello, then Gashi. Camillini’s men keep pressing, and on 61 minutes Cirillo looks certain to score, but Filippo Tordella denies him. The goal that settles the match in Pennarossa’s favour arrives on 73 minutes: Domini’s free-kick is swung directly at goal, Bracconi punches clear, the ball ricochets first off Salemme and then off Varrella, who sticks out a boot and proves decisive. It’s a brace for the defender and his third goal of the league campaign. Pennarossa thus return to winning ways for the first time since 2 November.

The third win of the afternoon – also by a single goal – goes to Faetano, who see off San Giovanni thanks to a moment of brilliance from Alessandro Renzi. The first half offers little in the way of emotion, although Alessandro Casadei twice comes to his side’s rescue against Gialloblù attacks. The deadlock is finally broken on 53 minutes: Renzi – from almost halfway – strikes a free-kick directly at goal, and the flight of the ball catches Casadei out, the San Marino midfielder’s effort finding the net. Venturini then takes charge of protecting the lead with two outstanding saves. The first comes on 61 minutes from Gakou, the second on 84 minutes from Tumidei, who does well to get free inside the six-yard box but is denied at the crucial moment by the Gialloblù keeper. Faetano, coached by Sperindio, therefore claim victory – his first success in charge of the Gialloblù.

The only draw of the day comes between Cailungo and Cosmos. Little happens before the break at Montecchio, although on 43 minutes the Rossoverdi strike the woodwork through Inzerauto. The game springs to life in the second half, with Benedetti’s side taking the lead: on the hour mark Semprini comes out to claim a high ball but collides with team-mate Rossi; the ball spills from the Gialloverdi keeper’s gloves and Bua pounces. Selva’s men react and, on 75 minutes, Gjurchinoski’s cross finds Islamaj at the far post, the former Tre Fiori man scoring his fifth of the season. Just four minutes later, however, Cailungo restore their advantage: excellent work from Inzerauto on the left as he cuts inside, squeezes between Mularoni and Hamati and then lays the ball off for Conti, who unleashes a right-footed shot from distance that beats Semprini. The final 10 minutes are action-packed: first Gallinetta preserves the lead, then Gjurchinoski receives a second yellow card (88’) and leaves Cosmos down to ten men. It looks done and dusted for Cailungo, but Iuzzolino’s sending-off in stoppage time complicates matters, despite a miraculous save from Gallinetta from the resulting free-kick. Just seconds later, Cosmos snatch a leveller at the death: Mossolini spreads the play to Ceccaroli, who reaches the by-line and cuts the ball back; it seems no-one will get there, but Gjoni arrives to fire it into the top corner for 2-2. Curiously, it is another last-gasp 2-2 draw in Montecchio, following Saturday’s between La Fiorita and Tre Fiori.

Here is the final schedule for the eleventh matchday of the Campionato Sammarinese: