Attendance : 150 – Referee : M. Biton, assistants M. Lissorgue & M. Barthier
Goals : Dagnogo (60), Sabin (68 et 90), Soumare (75) – Truchon (40)
Booked : Guérin (37), Perron (55), N'Goma (63) - Vandewalle (10)
RED STAR : Bruneau, Moreau (Santos 87), Guidali, N'Goma (Anderson 89), Perron, Guerin, Gomes Varela, Soumare, Sabin, Sissoko (Dagnogo 57) Saïti. Coach: J.L. Girard
DUNKERQUE : Vandewalle, Brunet ( Huysman 72), Saint- Louis, Damman, Deswarte, Colinet, Rigaux (Némorin 74), Baygo, Truchon, Dabach, Bellatreche. N.E. Bolima; Coach : G. Vesterlynnck.
FIRST DOUBLE
It took Red Star until the penultimate match of the season to record their first double, and at half time it appeared that they were never going to do it. One nil down, thanks to a fine free-kirk by Dunkerques' Truchon following a foul by Franck Guidali. It could have been a damn sight worse too, with the posts saving Red Star on two other occasions.
Perhaps the turning point came on the hour, with Red Star lacking inspiration and all too often, Sisskho and Sabin getting in each others way. Sissokho limped off, and was replaced by Moussa Dagnogo, returning from injury. Straight away, he made his presence felt. Despite a lack of match practice, the burly forward took advantage of tiring legs and waning concentration of the under-employed Dunkerque defence. He confidently beat the visitors goalie from close range much to the relief of the home supporters.
The goal came at the perfect moment, from a breakaway after Red Star had been put under enormous pressure. A lob from Brygo with Bruneau miles out of his area and only the open goal in front sailed wide, much to the disgust of the visitors' coach, head in hands. He had reason, for not only did Red Star equalise on the break, they took control of the game, and from a Saïti corner Sabin made in 2-1. Minutes later, perhaps the goal of the season, as Gomes Varela, switching wings to be on the left hand side, raced away, beating defenders, exchanged a one-two with Soumare, was blocked by the goalkeeper but Soumare had kept on going and was on hand to slot in the rebound. A magnificent goal well received by yhe home crowd.
In the dying seconds Sabin tapped in from close range, the Dunkerque players were left on their knees, exhausted and despondent, knowing that relegation stares them in the face.
So, in what could be the last match at Marville Red Stars' fans stayed away - perhaps the France v Belgium match on the telly was a cause, but nevertheless, the last thirty minutes at Marville was worth it. Red Star took one hour to show what they are capable of and what they should have done on numerous occasions in the season. Vince Guérin made his comeback, as a defender, Soumare was excellent, Dagnogo, as AllezRedStar.com rightly pointed out was the only one likely to make a difference; and our AllezRedStar.com banner stayed up all throughout the game. Oh, and the sun shone. A good day.
© AllezRedStar.com 2002