League: Tre Fiori win and pull clear, first defeat for Tre Penne

Tre Fiori show no signs of slowing down. The Gialloblù edge Folgore in the big match of the sixth matchday of the Campionato Sammarinese, stay perfect and attempt the first breakaway of the season. In Dogana the game is lively from the off, with Tre Fiori already threatening on 7 minutes through a powerful long-range effort from Prandelli, beaten away by De Angelis. Midway through the half Girolomoni’s side make the breakthrough: a throw-in high up the pitch for the Gialloblù, the ball is worked into the box, Folgore fail to clear and Benedettini settles it with a bicycle kick to make it 1-0. Before the interval Tre Fiori go close to doubling their lead when Prandelli – a constant danger in the area – clips the outside of the post.

After the restart it is again Tre Fiori doing the damage. Early on it takes a superb save from De Angelis on Censoni to prevent the second goal. On the hour Folgore’s task becomes even tougher as they are reduced to ten men with a second yellow for Sartori. With the numerical advantage Tre Fiori know they have to finish the job and on 81 minutes the second arrives, all from the bench: Mema reaches the byline and cuts the ball back for Guerra, who makes no mistake from close range. Folgore, however, refuse to give in and two minutes later they pull one back: excellent work from De Nicolò, then a fine knockdown from Daidola for Jacopo Raschi, who makes it 2-1. The San Marino forward then takes centre stage deep into added time with the move that almost brings an incredible equaliser for Folgore: De Angelis swings in a free-kick from the halfway line, it drops perfectly for Raschi, who strikes first time, but Nardi produces a stunning reflex save to protect his goal and the win. Tre Fiori prevail 2-1 and move five points clear of their nearest challengers (with Virtus to play on Saturday at 18:15).

Alongside yet another win for Tre Fiori, the headline of the day is undoubtedly Tre Penne’s first league defeat – inflicted by a resurgent Cosmos. The Gialloverdi run out 3-0 winners, inspired by an outstanding Bojan Gjurchinoski. The contest in Acquaviva is unlocked on 26 minutes when Mularoni is brought down in the area: Islamaj steps up and converts from the spot. Less than a minute later Selva’s men double their advantage: Monceri finds Gjurchinoski, who meets it inside the box and arrows a right-footed strike across goal, leaving Migani with no chance. Cosmos’ third arrives at the start of the second half, again through Gjurchinoski, who from the corner of the area attempts a cross towards the far post that astonishingly drops in behind Migani. The goal seems truly bewitched for Tre Penne on this night: on 80 minutes Semprini is immense in denying Casadio, and on 87 minutes former Cosmos man Errico also hits the post. It finishes 3-0 to Cosmos in Acquaviva, their second win on the spin.

Climbing the table too are Domagnano, 3-1 winners over Juvenes-Dogana. In Montecchio the deadlock is broken immediately: Buda plays a neat one-two from the corner flag and then delivers to the far post, where Mengucci catches it on the volley and beats Battistini. The second is another fine goal on the night: Tommaso Famiglietti collects the ball between the lines, drives into the box, shifts it onto his right foot and picks out the far corner superbly. Juvenes-Dogana do not give up and at the start of the second half manage to pull one back with a powerful header from Nicola Sartini on a Pedini assist. But the decisive blow is landed by Domagnano, who shortly afterwards (54’) make it three: Santi’s shot is deflected into his own net by Bakalyar for a cruel own goal by the centre-back. Domagnano win 3-1, moving into double figures with 11 points in the standings.

The Campionato Sammarinese continues tomorrow with four more fixtures (three at 15:00 and one at 18:15, all live on Titani.tv). Here is the partial schedule for Matchday 6: