RED STAR 3 BAGNEAUX-NEMOURS 2 (1-0)
Coupe de Paris Quarter Finals
Stade Bauer, 4/05/04
Attendance : 100
Goals : Benmesmoudi, Desmarets, Gueï
RED STAR : Benhamou, Hammami, Dao, Yessad, Fourneuf, N’Simba (Desmarets), Delaneuville, Cuervo, Gueï, Fellahi, Benmesmoudi. Subs: Diomande, Baldé. Coach: J.L. Girard
HERE WE GO, HERE WE GO....
A pitifully low turn-out on a dreadful evening weather-wise saw Red Star progress into the semi-finals of the Coupe de Paris, after an entertaining game against an enthusiastic opposition.
The scoreline would indicate a closely-fought encounter, but in reality Red Star dominated procedings and really should have won by a much larger margin. Credit where it is due to a gameful Bagneaux-Nemours outfit, who have romped their division and have already secured promotion to a superior level. Although a few divisions separate the clubs, Red Star didn't have everything their way, and some excellent goalkeeping from the Lionel Charbonnier-lookalike in the visitors goal aided by some poor refereeing decisions kept the home side at bay. Until just before the pause, that is, when Red Star were awarded a free-kick just outside the visitors' penalty area. Floated over by Yoann Delaneuville, Azzedine BENMESMOUDI rose above the defence to deviate the ball sufficient for the goalkeeper to fumble the ball just over the line. (1-0).
After the half-time interval spent in the relative warmth of the car parked outside (free to get in this evening !), more of the same, with Red Star pressing forwards, frustrated often by a well-marshalled offside trap. Reevis N'Simba, who had earlier been booked for dissent was withdrawn by Jean-Luc Girard, more to avoid a further yellow than anything else, was replaced by the lively Yves Desmarets. It was Red Stars' sub who doubled the lead just after the hour mark. A through ball from the outstanding Vincent Fourneuf was controlled beautifully by Benmesmoudi, and the run of both Gueï and Desmarets was timed to perfection. The ball was played across to DESMARETS whose cool finish was reminiscent of the goal he scored against Meaux earlier in the season (2-0).
As Red Stars' fans settled back to enjoy a potential goal romp, the visitors hit back. Red Stars' defence reverted back to some of the sloppier play seen earlier this season, and despite having several chances to clear their lines, the ball fell to a Bagneaux player who drove the ball past Benhamou from the edge of the penalty area. (2-1).
The goal only spurred Red Star on and from a break away, Delaneuville set up Franck GUEI to score Red Stars' third, the burly striker doing well to fend off a challenge and drive a low shot past the beaten keeper. (3-1).
The scoring was not yet over however, and with around seven minutes remaining, the visitors posed doubts in the minds of the home supporters with a long ball pumped into Red Stars' penalty area. Benhamou appeared to have been obstructed in his attempt to collect the ball, but the referee saw no foul as the ball bounced into the empty net to the joy of the large-ish group of travelling supporters. (3-2).
Red Star played out the last five or so minutes virtually camped in the visitors' half, Delaneuville, Benmesmoudi and Gueï all had good chances to bury the game but the score remained at 3-2. Fair dinkum to Bagneaux, who tried hard against superior opposition and gave a very good account of themselves, in particular the nippy number eight, who distributed the ball well at set up some good moves. In the style of Sochauxs' Isabey, somewhat. Red Star progress to the semi-finals and a tricky trip to Montrouge. Girards' boys are on a roll at the moment, confidence is on a high, but hopefully lessons will have been learned from the two goals that were given away this evening.
© AllezRedStar.com 2004