League: Virtus make no mistake and return to the top

After La Fiorita’s defeat yesterday, Virtus did not let the golden opportunity to return to the top slip away. Thanks to the tried and trusted Buonocunto–Tortori partnership – with major support from an Alex Passaniti in full superman mode – the Neroverdi beat an excellent Juvenes-Dogana 2-1 and climb back to first place in the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301. The clash in Fiorentino is thrilling from the very first exchanges. Amati’s side start better, also buoyed by their good run of form. After just five minutes Valentini tries a sumptuous back-heel following a corner, with the ball drifting just wide of Passaniti’s left-hand post. The Virtus goalkeeper is the absolute star a few minutes later: great move from Juvenes-Dogana ending with Stella’s close-range effort, but Passaniti produces a superb reflex save and denies the opener to the Serravalle club. The Neroverdi begin to shake themselves and at the end of the first half they have their first big chance to nose in front when Benincasa hits the post after a determined solo run. Virtus sense that it is the right moment to score. In added time Tortori’s cross strikes Pasolini’s arm: for referee Villa it is a penalty, which Buonocunto steps up to take. The Neroverdi playmaker makes no mistake, netting his 10th league goal – to match his shirt number. Juvenes-Dogana are having none of it and in the second half they again show up regularly around Passaniti’s area. And once more it is the Virtus goalkeeper, among the best on the pitch today, who takes centre stage on the hour: a pinpoint cross from Gianmaria Borghini finds Michele Cevoli’s head, his effort looks destined for goal but Passaniti flies again to deny him. Virtus want to kill the game off and shortly afterwards Tortori has the chance, but he fires over from a good position. The Neroverdi forward, however, knows how to redeem himself and on 70 minutes he puts his name to the second goal: a fine cross from substitute Mario Barone finds Tortori, who times his run to perfection on the offside line, brings it down and beats Gentilini for 2-0. Juvenes-Dogana don’t give up and on 82 minutes they reopen the contest: a brilliant ball from Federico Tumidei picks out Gianmaria Borghini, who controls and with a precise diagonal finish beats Passaniti. The drama is not over, because with almost no time left Amati’s team have the chance to equalise: from a corner, with Gentilini also up in the box, Manfroni climbs highest and heads for the corner, but Passaniti produces yet another miracle save worth a goal. Virtus take the win and move back to the top of the table with a two-point lead over La Fiorita. Looking to muscle in on the title race are also Cosmos, who by now in the league seem to do nothing but win. Berardi’s side, with their coach suspended today, also beat San Giovanni and close the gap on second-placed La Fiorita. The Gialloverdi are now third on 41 points, five behind the Montegiardino club (and seven behind Virtus). San Giovanni, however, are not mere spectators and early on could break the deadlock through Cocco, who strikes well from outside the area but Aldo Simoncini starts in the best possible way with a fine save. The goal that breaks the deadlock arrives on 25 minutes and it is yet another gem from Riccardo Zulli: the midfielder cuts in from the left, shifts the ball onto his right and with a delightful touch bends it inside the far post, where De Angelis has no chance. Tognacci’s side do not give in and Cosmos have Aldo Simoncini to thank again on two occasions. First, on the half-hour, when he parries Cocco’s turn and shot (with Santi then also hitting the post), then on 40 minutes when he palms away Corinti’s attempt straight from a corner. At the start of the second half the match could tilt even further in favour of the Serravalle club: after only 15 seconds Sapori goes down in the box after a challenge and it’s a penalty. Prandelli steps up, but Mirco De Angelis guesses right and with a great save prevents the second goal. San Giovanni throw themselves forward and on the hour go close to equalising with a long-range effort by Corinti that does not miss the target by much. But in the 77th minute Cosmos wrap it up for good. A perfect move – all Sammarinese – down the right flank between D’Addario and Berardi, the defender reaches the byline and plays it across, where Boldrini’s touch sends it into his own net for 2-0. The final exclamation mark is applied by Filippo Berardi, quickest to turn in the rebound after Zulli’s shot is parried by De Angelis. San Marino Academy return to a win that had been missing since 2 December, edging past Pennarossa by a single goal. The goal that decides the contest comes early on through Nicolò Sancisi, who pounces on the ball after Barbieri’s save from D’Addario’s shot and fires past the Biancorossi goalkeeper. The Chiesanuova side, still searching for their first joy of the league season, have a good chance just before the half-hour with Petricca, who exploits a defensive lapse from the Academy and plays it across for Marrone, but from a good position he fails to hit the target. Towards the end of the half Cecchetti’s men push again, but Valli Casadei’s right-footed effort from the edge of the area is off target. At the start of the second half it is instead Giocondi who creates two excellent chances for the Titans: first he misses the target from a promising position, then after a fine slalom he strikes accurately but sends the ball centimetres wide. The Academy are rarely threatened and manage their precious lead well until the final whistle. Cecchetti can thus celebrate a victory that brings the Academy closer to the play-off zone – now only six points away. Here is the updated and final schedule for the 18th matchday of the Campionato Sammarinese BKN301:

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