Football: Barclays league division one-Maria punishes Anse Reunion with late goals |19 September 2011
On Saturday at Stad Linite, St Roch and LightStars shared the points in a 10-goal thriller, La Digue-based La Passe beat visitors The Lions 5-1 and Côte d’Or edged St Louis Suns 2-1 on Praslin.
Anse Reunion v/s Northern Dynamo
La Digue-based Anse Reunion were the more industrious side in their match against Northern Dynamo as they aimed to maintain their wining streak.
However, in the 20th minute, Anse Reunion goalkeeper Ricky Rose had to race out of his goal to head clear a long ball with Dynamo’s Asman Todisoa closing in on him.
Three minutes later at the other end, Anse Reunion should have opened the score as Malagasy Jean Estel Baransuice glided past a couple of tackles but instead of firing at goal, he squared the ball and fluffed a good chance.
In the 28th minute, Anse Reunion again went close as Pierre-Luigi Nibourette floated a free-kick which dropped invitingly to Norvil Gaspard at the far post. Gaspard’s goal-bound shot was deflected into corner at the last minute.
Twelve minutes later, Malagasy Jocelyn shot straight at goalie Jules Monnaie after meeting Julius Adrienne’s cross.
In the 41st minute, Anse Reunion were inches away from breaking the deadlock as Baransuice chased a long ball and held off a defender but hooked the ball over the crossbar from an awkward angle.
Anse Reunion upped the tempo and on the hour mark, Gaspard combined with Baransuice who slipped a pass to Jocelyn whose fierce shot was blocked by Monnaie’s legs as Dynamo rode their luck.
In the 62nd minute, Dynamo had a rare opportunity as Marcus Maria flashed a teasing centre across goal but Elvis Julius failed to connect.
Two minutes later, Anse Reunion’s pressure almost brought a goal as Andy Ernesta let fly a strong ground level shot which brought a good save out of Monnaie.
In the 71st minute, Malagasy Jocelyn thought he had found the breakthrough as his sweet volley crashed against the crossbar.
Anse Reunion brought on Malagasy Jean Del’Or Tsaralaza for Baransuice and in the 78th minute, he released Ahmed Adrienne who looked odds to score but delayed his shot and his attempt was eventually blocked into corner.
Six minutes later, Anse Reunion were furious with referee Keirens Yocette who disallowed a goal from Jocelyn’s corner which was headed by Malagasy defender Eddy Randrianaja to Adrienne who guided his header into the net.
The official alleged Malagasy Eddy had fouled a Dynamo as he climbed for the ball.
Seconds later, Anse Reunion were made to pay for their misses as Maria pounced on a poor clearance by goalie Ricky Rose and he fired past the same custodian for a 1-0 lead against the run of play.
In the 88th minute, Gaspard had a gilt-edged opportunity to level matters but he fired over the crossbar.
Dynamo added a second in the 89th minute to secure all the points from another goalkeeping error. Maria lobbed Rose who was out of his goal as he tried to correct his mistake to bring the final score to 2-0.
St Roch v LightStars
There were goals galore at Stad Linite on Saturday as these two teams shared a 10-goal thriller to bring the number of goals for the weekend to 21 in three matches.
St Roch opened the floodgates in the 18th minute as Klaus Pragassen fired past goalie Denis Fideria for a 1-0 lead.
However, Lightstars were more threatening as they pressed for an equaliser with both Andrew Jean and Malagasy Mario Ravo going close.
The second half though was explosive as goals flooded in and it was LightStars who levelled matters in the 48th minute with Ravo releasing Jean and his fierce shot flew past goalie Terence Lesperance to make it 1-1.
Two minutes later though St Roch regained the lead as Malagasy Nestor Benahovy’s low free-kick beat Fideria for a 2-1 score.
Seven minutes on, LightStars had pulled back to level terms as Ravo penetrated the St Roch defence to fire low past Lesperance to make it 2-2.
Once again St Roch went ahead as Pragassen’s curling corner kick deceived Fideria to find refuge in the net on the hour mark for a 3-2 lead.
Three minutes after, Jean nearly equalised as his dipping shot flew agonisingly wide.
St Roch stretched their advantage in the 68th minute as substitute Darrel Forte rifled a rasping shot past Fideria to make it 4-2.
In the 70th minute though, LightStars began their fightback as Malagasy Malamo Ducaud broke forward to shoot past Lesperance and the score stood at 4-3.
Amazingly LightStars drew level in the 85th minute as substitute Ernesto Doway cut inside a defender to score (4-4).
A minute later at the other end, St Roch regained their lead as Nerrick Athanase pounced on some defensive errors to drill his shot past Fideria to make it 5-4 as they celebrated wildly.
There was still to be more drama in this highly entertaining match as deep into injury time,
La Passe v The Lions
La Passe had dropped vital points on Praslin last weekend where they almost lost the match, while The Lions had registered only their second win in the league.
So there was a lot at stake for both teams but La Passe took the initiative and got the lead early in the first half through Yelvanny Rose.
Malagasy Valerie added a second goal before The Lions’ Randolph Lablache reduced the arrears for a 2-1 half-time score.
In the second period, Marcus Labiche scored a brace and Roderick Rose opened his La Passe account for a final scoreline of 5-1.
Côte d’Or v St Louis Suns
Côte d’Or had suffered an embarrassing defeat in the Land Marine Cup to minnows Beginners while St Louis Suns had also relinquished their title in midweek matches.
However, Côte d’Or were the better side as they opened the scoring through Rick Bibi in the second half from the penalty spot. Bibi made it 2-0 as referee Gonzague Boniface awarded them another penalty.
St Louis Suns though scored a consolation courtesy of Mervin Mathiot to make it 2-1.
R. J-L.