MATCH REPORTS SEASON 2000-2001 RED STAR 93

RED STAR 93 - VALENCE, 13/4/2001 (National, Week 32)

Red Star 93 - Valence, 13/4/2001
Referee M. Sergeant, assistants M.Beck & M. Puzilewicz – Attendance 250
Goals : Saragaglia (35) – Saci (89) – Guei (10 pen)
Bookings : Saci (90) – Sanon (84)

THREE DESERVED POINTS

A pitifully small turn out at Marville for this one - lack of interest added to the Easter Holiday exodus hardle helped affairs. Still, those that made the effort were rewarded with a win, the fifth of the season and the third in a mini-run which has seen Red Star take ten points out of a possible fifteen.

But after only ten minutes of play, it appeared that the mini-revival had come to a halt when the referee pointed to the penalty spot for a hand ball against Red Star. From our vantage point it was hard to see if it was justified or not, but with the lack of protests from the home defence, maybe Monsieur Sergeant got it right. Valences' Marc Eric Gueï made no mistake, sending Bayhia the wrong way.

Despite going one behind, Red Star didn't lose heart, and started to make life uncomfortable for the visitors' defence. Patrick Van Kets did all but score after some good work from Saci, placing his header narrowly wide. The pressure paid off, and it took a piece of inspiration from the much-maligned Olivier Saragaglia to equalise. Ten minute before the break, a ball was only half cleared by Valence, and it fell to SARAGAGLIA who lobbed Fabrice Bruneau with a fine shot (1-1).

The second half was one-way traffic, with the occasional foray into the Red Star half by Valence. A series of injuries slowed the pace of the game but it was the introduction of Thierry Saxemard which changed the outcome of the game. A slide rule pass to Hakim Saci presented the latter with a face-to-face with the visitors' goalkeeper, and SACI rifled a firm low shot into the net to send the few loyal fans wild. (2-1). A deserved victory, full of character and self-belief. It may be a little too late, but whatever, Red Star might just go down fighting.

ALL THE REPORTS FROM MATCHS 2000-2001

Back to the Home Page