RED STAR 0 SAINT-QUENTIN 1
Saturday 29th March 2003
Goal : Tassé (90)
Referee : M. Charrier assistants M. Chavereau & M Joubert - attendance 150
Booked : Fissirou (55) - Accort (12), Lefebvre (37), Mahu (67)
RED STAR : Néret, Wilfried, Kébé, Yessad, Kor (Ribeiro 60), Carles, Lakrout (M'Boungou-Matondo 54), Hamdane, Delaneuville, Mongin, Fissirou. Coach: M. Ousfane.
SAINT-QUENTIN : Delahaye, Mahu, Deligny, Lefebvre, Accart, Dobrzynski, Name, Forgon, Lebescon (Tasse 25), Mortreux, Lalou (Canedo 62). Coach: P. Pesin
LAST MINUTE SICKENER
A last-gasp goal from supersub Tasse probably condemns Red Star to DH football next season. With Chartres, Chaumont and Chantilly all winning, the gap between Red Star and their rivals starts to open.
Had it not been for a stroke of bad luck, the tale could have been all-too different. Firstly, a stroke of good luck for the visitors' substitute Tasse, who entered the fray after twenty five minutes following an injury to Lebescon. Once in the action, the sub was virtually everywhere on the park, even clearing off his line at one point. It was appropriate therefore, that if the visitors were going to score, then he would be the man to do it.
The last ten minutes were the best of the game, as Red Star pressed forwards against a tiring defence. Captain Hamdane should have won the points for Red Star, but his stinging shot rattled the crossbar and the hopeless Fissirou should really have put the rebound away. Earlier Joël Ribeiro thumped one against the upright in a bid to continue his scoring run from last week.
As Red Star looked the likeliest to break the deadlock, with the clock ticking away Saint Quentin staged a counter attack. A ball floated across to the right and Tasse on hand to lash the ball on the volley past the outstanding Néret.
Disappointment for Red Star and their fans, but that's just the way it is at the moment. A reasonable performance that deserved at least a draw. A couple of interesting substitutions, firstly Lakrout giving way for M'Boungou-Matondo - one wonders why he didn't start the game as he was again one of Red Stars' most threatening forwards. Lakrout must have been tired as prior to that he had himself been a handful for the visitors' defence. Secondly, Anderson Kor, playing in no-mans land again came off to be replaced by Ribeiro. Korr is still one of Red Stars' best players, looks comfortable on the ball and is creative. One presumes that he too must have been struggling with an injury. Otherwise why withdraw one of your best players ?
Elsewhere Néret was outstanding in goal in the second half, Yessad and Kébé marshalled their defence well, and Mongin is a strong runner in attack. Disappointing performance again from Fissirou, but he is still the only attacker with height for Red Star.
© AllezRedStar.com 2003