League: Tre Fiori fight back to go top, first win for Libertas

Comeback victory for Tre Fiori, who beat the Academy and, while waiting for tomorrow’s fixtures, temporarily move to the top of the league. On this afternoon’s fourth matchday, Libertas also win, with a Morelli penalty – the Granata’s first success – sinking San Giovanni. The only draw, goalless despite numerous chances, comes between Fiorentino and Domagnano.

Starting with the match in Domagnano between Tre Fiori and San Marino Academy. It is the Titani of Roberto Di Maio who get off to the better start, taking the lead after 10 minutes. A cross from the right by D’Addario finds Marco Gasperoni, who powers through Scarcella and then beats Nardi. Tre Fiori react and on 22 minutes they have the chance to level: Domeniconi brings down Bernardi in the box and Albani awards a penalty. Prandelli steps up but Borasco is decisive, denying him twice. Just before the half-hour mark, however, the Gialloblù striker makes amends by levelling the score. Former Academy player Mattia Sancisi delivers a perfect ball for Prandelli, who heads home with ease for 1-1. At the start of the second half Tre Fiori overtake with a right-footed strike from distance by Braschi, which catches Borasco out. The decisive break for the Gialloblù comes on the hour mark, when a right-footed effort by Mema – after a pass from Bernardi – finds a way past Borasco. The two-goal lead holds until the 90th minute and beyond, with Borasco again denying Sirri with another fine save. Tre Fiori thus win 3-1, remain unbeaten and maintain a 100% record while awaiting Tre Penne – in action tomorrow in the big match against La Fiorita.

No goals instead between Fiorentino and Domagnano, despite several opportunities at both ends. The first arrives midway through the half, when Gozzi’s header – from a Perazzini corner – is brilliantly kept out by Simone Benedettini. Fiorentino reply with a powerful effort from Dolcini that seems destined for the net, but there is a crucial clearance from Guglielmi just a few metres from the line. Costantini’s Rossoblù keep pushing and a driven cross-shot from Ben Kacem is so dangerous it crashes off the top of the crossbar. The match is then halted on 38 minutes because of hail, forcing the teams to take shelter in the dressing rooms for around ten minutes.

We move on to the second half, where it is Domagnano who have a double close-range chance on 74 minutes. Babboni feeds an unmarked Mingucci in the box, he picks his spot but fires at Benedettini. The Giallorossi midfielder has another go, but this time finds captain Molinari blocking on the goal line. A few minutes later, the chance falls to Fiorentino. On 77 minutes Ben Kacem comes together with Gozzi in the penalty area. Balzano has no doubts and points to the spot amid protests. Ben Kacem steps up himself but Filippo Papi pulls off a miracle, getting down to the corner. The Fiorentino keeper – Benedettini – matches him at the other end, saving everything from a last-gasp Bonetti free-kick. It finishes 0-0 in Acquaviva.

Libertas smile for the first time in the league, edging past San Giovanni by a single goal. The first half starts immediately with a chance for the Granata: a Morelli free-kick into the area finds Casotti, but Casadei responds with a superb reflex save. Midway through the half Quarta also tries his luck from distance, his right-footed effort flashing just wide of Casadei’s right-hand post. Libertas’ efforts are rewarded shortly before the break, when Fabio Tomassini is brought down in the box by Bianchi. Avoni points to the spot and captain Morelli converts.

San Giovanni’s reaction comes just after the hour mark, when Bianchi’s shot is blocked by Kane in the area but Manzaroli does brilliantly to come out quickly at the Rossoneri forward’s feet and clear the danger. Libertas look to kill the game off but Casadei – San Giovanni’s standout performer – is outstanding in thwarting a lovely outside-of-the-foot effort from substitute Fadel. San Giovanni hang in there and on 85 minutes they even have the chance to equalise when D’Angeli delivers an excellent cut-back from the by-line, with Kane unable to hit the target from a great position at the crucial moment. Tognacci’s side – facing his former club – seem to have more energy in the closing stages and a precise header from Tiraferri forces Manzaroli to turn it behind for a corner. Despite a good second-half display, San Giovanni cannot find the leveller and Libertas can therefore celebrate their first win of the season.

Another victory, their second of the campaign, for Juvenes-Dogana, who in the 18:30 kick-off see off Cailungo 2-0. Amati’s side take the lead on 20 minutes when Pedini pulls the ball back from the by-line for Gianmaria Borghini – on the scoresheet again after his midweek goal in the Coppa Titano.

Juvenes-Dogana could have doubled their lead at the end of the half, but Gallinetta produces a magnificent save to deny a point-blank header from Gianmaria Borghini. The Cailungo goalkeeper is decisive again on the hour mark to keep his team in the game: another Pedini cross, another Borghini header, and another superb intervention from Gallinetta. Juvenes-Dogana seem unable to put the match to bed, Cailungo push forward but are stopped shortly afterwards by two excellent interventions from Colonna, who is alert to the danger: first he flies to turn away Inzerauto’s thunderous strike, then he closes down Bua brilliantly. The Serravalle club sense they need to seal it and Nicola Sartini goes within centimetres of making it 2-0 on 80 minutes, missing what looked like a certain goal. The former San Giovanni player, however, redeems himself moments later, heading past Gallinetta, who this time has to give way. Juvenes-Dogana run out 2-0 winners.

Here is the partial schedule for Matchday 4 of the Campionato Sammarinese, ahead of tomorrow’s 15:00 kick-offs (all live on Titani.tv, with Cosmos-Virtus also on FIFA+):