League: Pancotti’s set-pieces secure Folgore’s outright lead

Folgore’s march goes on as they celebrate their sixth win in as many league outings in the Campionato Sammarinese, taking advantage of Tre Penne’s goalless draw to stay top of the table – this time on their own. The first chance falls to Azael Garcia Rufer, whose right-footed effort from medium range forces a save from Foiera. Libertas reply with a corner routine that frees up Socciarelli for a volley, but his finish is wayward from what was a more than inviting position. At the other end Tampellini skies a counter-attacking chance, wasting the excellent work of Pierri. The game is balanced and enjoyable, enlivened by the positive approach of Fabbri’s and Ricci’s sides: on 37 minutes De Angelis is alert and lightning-quick off his line to smother at the feet of Melandri, who had been played onside by Brolli from a long ball by Vandi. Before the break Pierri adjusts his body to hit a left-footer from an impossible angle, which ends up in the side-netting. The game is decided after the interval, when Pancotti finally comes to the fore: his free-kick is inch-perfect as he breaks the deadlock on 58 minutes, aided by a disjointed wall. Less than four minutes later comes the second from the spot, awarded after contact between Vandi and Pierri. From eleven metres Pancotti keeps his cool, drilling a powerful left-footer into the corner. The Granata from Borgo Maggiore refuse to accept defeat in such an even contest, threatening with dangerous shots-cum-crosses from Gori and Socciarelli: the former shaves the upright, the latter crashes his effort off the top of the crossbar. In the final quarter of an hour Folgore see a potential 3-0 ruled out for offside against Tampellini. It is only the first of a series of promising opportunities that Ricci’s men fail to take to put the result beyond doubt. So it proves with Ura’s close-range header on 85 minutes, which comes just seconds before Socciarelli pulls one back to make it 2-1, turning in a delightful assist from Grieco. Hardly reassuring signs for Folgore, who also pay for Tampellini’s lack of composure on 90 minutes as he is denied by Foiera in a one-on-one with no defenders in sight. Ultimately it matters little for Folgore, who finish matchday six still winning and still top of the league.

By contrast, La Fiorita continue to fall away from the summit; already eight points behind the leaders and down to sixth place, they now sit 3 and 6 points adrift of the other two pairs of clubs chasing Folgore. Their meeting with Faetano ends in a goalless draw, allowing Sperindio’s side – still without a win – to collect their third point and move off the foot of the table, leaving bottom spot to San Marino Academy. The first half is a monologue from the Montegiardino club, who are repeatedly dangerous through Bonetti in the opening quarter of an hour. Last season’s top scorer does not show his usual ruthlessness, nor does Semprini midway through the half. From the half-hour mark Venturini begins the performance that will earn him man-of-the-match honours, twice denying the ever-threatening Semprini with good saves from his feet in quick succession. The opening period closes on a wonderful move between Zafferani and Errico, the latter freed up for a diagonal effort that drifts just wide. After the restart Faetano are very much in the game too, noticeably improved following the introduction of Rivas as their attacking focal point. Zavoli does well to narrow the angle on the elusive Elia, who threatens again on 65 minutes with a left-footed strike from a tight angle. Between those two chances comes a vital intervention from Tugliani, who denies Bonetti a shot from the heart of the penalty area. Sperindio’s men string together an excellent move midway through the second half, breaking quickly on the counter: Samuele Renzi swings in a cross and Elia adjusts his body for a waist-high volley that takes Zavoli out of the equation, only for a providential Cicarelli to get back and clear. At this point any result seems possible: Venturini gets his gloves to a powerful left-footer from Bonetti, then breathes a sigh of relief when Tugliani throws himself in the way of another attempt from the same striker – who appeals for a penalty for a possible handball. La Fiorita resume control of proceedings, but Venturini has clearly decided his net will not be breached. And when the goalkeeper cannot intervene, the crossbar comes to his rescue to keep out Semprini’s header. With the same skill Mularoni comes within centimetres of snatching it at the death, glancing a header onto the support post of the goal frame – with just a handful of seconds remaining in the fifth minute of added time. A full-blooded finale yields no reward for La Fiorita, who are unable to break down a well-organised Faetano side, bolstered by a superb display from Venturini.

Below is the full schedule for matchday six of the 2026-27 Campionato Sammarinese: