COSMO 0 RED STAR 1 (0-1)
Division Honneur - Week 25
Stade de Boissy, 2/05/04
Attendance : 120 - referee : M. Jourda
Goal : Desmarets (43 pen)
Booked : Chabourel (69), Jacob (87)
COSMO ERMONT-TAVERNY : Mondon, Chabourel, Oucif, Jean-Marie, Annicette, Lubino, Kanouté, Abdallah, Jacob, Da Veiga (Mézaguer 60), Montadour. Subs: Hodent, Correïa. Coach: C. Jean
RED STAR : Benhamou, Hammami (Diomande 74), Dao, Yessad, Fourneuf, N’Simba, Delaneuville, Cuervo, Gueï, Desmarets (Fellahi 84), Baldé (Benmesmoudi 63). Coach: J.L. Girard
L-r: Abdallah, Lubino, Cuervo & Delaneuville
SAFE !
Red Star have finally booked their place (barring extra-sporting disasters) in the DH for next season. For the Red Star faithful who had travelled in relatively large numbers into the Val d'Oise they were treated to a very rare bird - a penalty awarded to Red Star. The statisticians are as we speak digging into their volumes to find out when Red Star were last awarded a penalty. Certainly the first time this season, that is for sure.
The scoreline really fails to show the true balance of play, especially a penalty. Red Star overwhelmed their opponents, and really Cosmo only had a corner deep into injury time to threaten Salim Benhamou. The home side never got to grips with Red Star, and with Fourneuf outstanding in defence alongside Yessad and Hammami, Red Star appeared to be invincible. Red Star ought to have doubled the lead when Reevis N'Simbas fine shot crashed against the crossbar, but bounced back into play rather than crossing the line. In the first half Philippe Cuervo, playing on the flank in midfield proved to be a real handful for the overstreched Cosmo defence. Franck Gueď put in a phenomenal workrate and with Alhaji Baldé prowling in front of goal, Cosmo can think themselves lucky to have avoided a thrashing.
Considering that Red Star also had a bench made up of Diomande, Riad Fellahi and Benmesmoudi, Saint-Ouen now have a formidable team capable of going further. If one looks back and thinks of the wasted opportunites for victory against Evry (away), Meaux (away), Brétigny (home), the two-goal lead squandered at home last week to Orly, the four points lost on a technicality to Aubervilliers, then instead of celebrating having avoided the drop this week, then Red Star could have been looking forwards to a play-off spot, and why not straight promotion ?
The unexpected came just before half time. Red Star had dominated for long periods of the game, and from yet another attack,
Chabourel was adjudged to have controlled the ball with his hand in the penalty area, and Red Star were awarded a penalty. Fortunately they had not forgotten how to take a spot kick, and Yves DESMARETS did the necessary from twelve yards out. (0-1).
So the celebrations started, Red Star deservedly walk away with the points, and walk to safety. Objective for the season duly achieved. There are still two games to go, the chance to prove just what they are capable of. Hopefully the club will take the Coupe de Paris seriously, it would be nice for the fans, the players and all at the club to have some silverware to show for their efforts this season. As for next season, given the squad that they have built, hopefully the youngsters won't be tempted away from Red Star, and that they will stay on to continue the adventure with the club. Onwards to the CFA 2 ?
© AllezRedStar.com 2004