League: Virtus and Cosmos hit three, Tre Penne win it in stoppage time

Virtus hit three and respond to yesterday’s win by Tre Fiori. Bizzotto’s side beat Pennarossa 3-1 and draw level with Girolomoni’s Gialloblù at the top of the league. It’s a win – their second in a row – that was never really in doubt for the reigning champions, who break the deadlock in Domagnano after 18 minutes: Amati swings in a corner to the near post and Scappini heads home for 1-0. The Neroverdi keep pushing, especially through a lively Zenoni, who rattles the crossbar on 23 minutes. It doesn’t take long, though, for the winger – facing his former team – to leave his mark: on 35 minutes he robs Arlotti of the ball and then places it in the corner to double the lead.

Golinucci then applies the finishing touch just past the hour mark, capping off a fine team move from an Amati assist to seal the points. The only blot on Virtus’ performance is the goal conceded deep into added time, which slightly softens the blow for Pennarossa: an Angelini free-kick finds Martini’s head for the final 3-1. Virtus therefore join leaders Tre Fiori at the summit, awaiting Wednesday’s rearranged fixture between the Gialloblù and Cosmos.

Andy Selva’s Gialloverdi bounce back after two narrow defeats and claim a resounding 3-0 win in Montecchio against Domagnano. The match opens up almost immediately (8’) thanks to Gaita, who finds the far corner at the end of a good counter-attack. Cosmos pile on the pressure and twice go close to doubling their lead before the break, but it is at the start of the second half that the Serravalle side deliver the decisive burst. Two moments of brilliance in quick succession effectively wrap up the contest in Montecchio. The second goal arrives on 49 minutes, when Hamati beats Papi with a precise left-footed finish. The third bears the signature of Alex Ambrosini, a winter signing: on 51 minutes the former La Fiorita player spots Papi slightly off his line and lobs him from distance with a deadly chip to make it 3-0. After Cosmos’ one-two punch, Domagnano try to react but never really trouble Semprini and company. Cosmos take the victory and, from their current ninth place, close the gap on Juvenes-Dogana and Fiorentino.

Goals and drama abound in Fiorentino in the clash between Tre Penne and San Marino Academy. Bonini’s team prevail, earning their fourth win on the spin, as they run out 3-2 winners in stoppage time against an excellent Academy side. After Peluso hits the post on 7 minutes, the Città outfit manage to break through shortly afterwards (11’) thanks to a towering Badalassi header from a Pastorelli cross. Tre Penne keep pressing and on the quarter-hour mark it is Berardi who strikes the bar with a fine free-kick. The Titani hold firm and on 28 minutes they find the equaliser through Tamagnini, who turns the ball in during a scramble following a corner. A few minutes later Tre Penne step back in front, and a determined piece of play from Berardi – his third goal in as many games for the San Marino forward – on 35 minutes makes it 2-1. The entertaining first half still has more to give, because in stoppage time Enea Della Balda converts from the spot to make it 2-2. Far less happens after the restart, but the decisive moment comes in added time. Despite being down to ten men after Peluso’s injury – with all substitutions already made – Tre Penne manage, on 90+2 minutes, to win a penalty following contact between Federico Ciacci and Fabbri. Despite the Titani’s protests, Errico steps up and makes no mistake. The Biancoazzurri clinch a 3-2 victory.

Here is the updated picture of matchday 18 in the Campionato Sammarinese, which will be completed on Tuesday evening in Acquaviva – kick-off 20:45 – with the rearranged fixture Faetano-Folgore (postponed due to fog).