| Referee M.Rebaud, assistants M. Dussin & M. Beck - Attendance : 300. Goals : Van Kets (45), Rangdet (80) Bookings : Rangdet (33, kicking the ball away), Ferhaoui (44, feet first), Van Kets (62, kicking the ball away) – Hébras (30), James (90) |
Detractors might point out that it was only against the bottom club, a side with seven losses in seven away trips, but nevertheless they have to be still won, whether it be top or bottom.
And so Red Star finally got that elusive league win, no doubt bouyed by recent cup wins over Lorient and Noisy. Apart from a couple of periods midway through each half, Red Stars' dominance was total. Thouars' goalkeeper performed miracles to deny the home side - Van Kets after six minutes, Randget seconds after, a super twenty yarder from Aïchour turned away for a corner, a blast from Ferhaoui, a tidy one-two between Aïchour and Van Kets and a fingertip save of a rasping drive by Rangdet which was heading all the way for the top corner.
With Red Star preferring the left side for their attacks, the goal came as a surprise from the right flank, as Serreau created space, and fired over an inch-perfect cross met by the head of VAN KETS to open the scoring just before the interval. (1-0).
A goal to knock the stuffing out of Thouars, somewhat. But after the break they appeared to be the most dangerous, the substitute striker Sabourin taking the game to the home side. Oyaga tried his luck and Denuault went close with a free-kick. The referee spoiled affairs somewhat, with a number of free-kicks going against Red Star.
With twenty minutes remaining, a Thouars striker went down under a none-too-evident challenge by Busuttil in the penalty area, and M. Rebaud pointed to the spot to the astonishment of the Red Star supporters. However, all was not lost as Jean-Marc Branger guessed correctly going the right way to save the shot by Sabourin.
Red Star spurred back into action went on the attack, and dominted the final period, culminating in a fine goal by the youngster RANGDET. (2-0). It could have finshed at three had the visitors' keeper Astier not stopped a drive from substitute Milton.
So Red Star win the battle of the basement, and in doing so climb two places. With only one point separating them from the first non-relegable club, hope springs eternal, but an awkward trip to high-flying Clermont on Saturday hardly helps affairs.