CHARTRES 2 RED STAR 1 (0-1)
Saturday 24th May 2003
Attendance : 200 - Referee : Mr Gildas Quiniou
Goals : Red Star : Hamdane ( 45); Chartres : Procureur ( 58), Desseigne ( 84).
Chartres : Gourcy, Machefert, Prevost, Desseigne, Annon, Boudjemil ( cap.), Serreau, Procureur, Aïd, El Yousfi, Courenco.
Subs: Hurault, Tartaglia, Lecacheur.
Red Star : Neret, Diomande, Carles, Hammami, Fourneuf, Handane ( cap.), Yessad, Kor (Lakrout), Fissirou, Marques, Priso Yaya.
Subs : Tliha, Tounkara
LET'S LOSE AGAIN
One year ago, almost to the day, Red Stars' supporters witnessed an end-of-season celebration. Twelve months later and once again joy and scenes of delirium abound. However, in both cases it isn't the Saint-Ouen supporters with something to shout about. Last year Viry Châtillon won promotion to the National (at the expense of Red Star); this season Chartres managed to avoid relegation from the CFA 2.
Things started reasonably well for a scratch Red Star outfit, missing several key figures (Yoann Delaneuville, Fodé Kébé amongst others injured, Joël Ribeiro and Dave M'Boungou-Matondo no doubt having incurred the wrath of the Red Star coaching staff following revelations of their links with Les Lilas). A corner won on the right, lofted over the Chartres defence and captain Djamel HAMDANE on hand to fire the ball home (0-1). Some spirited play by the visitors enabled them to hold out until the pause, but just thirteen minutes after the break Chartres drew level, as a mazy dribble down the left to the dead ball line produced a centre from the tightest of angles and somehow Procureur managed to force the ball over the line and into Fred Nérets' net. (1-1). Disappointment for Red Star, and further agony came minutes later as Nabile Yessad was obliged to go and warm the showers for his team mates following a second yellow card. A harsh decision by the referee, considering that both ofences were not dangerous, and the second could be merely described as a tussle. Either way, heads dropped and with the seconds ticking away, Chartres won a corner where Desseigne rose free, unmarked to plant the ball firmly home (2-1). Red Stars' Diomande became the second player to walk after a rather rash challenge produced a direct red card. Despite the handicap, in injury time Red Star had a great occasion to draw level, a corner sailing harmlessly out of play.
Final score 2-1, another defeat, Chartres pull themselves out of trouble for the second season consecutive on the last day. Red Star were rubbish up front, never really threatened and on the balance of play between two very poor sides, the best team won. Glad it's all over, roll on next season (that's if there is one...)
© AllezRedStar.com 2003