FOOTBALL: FIRST DIVISION |05 May 2018
Foresters falter against ten men the Lions
Foresters faltered against ten men the Lions in a 0-0 draw at StadLinite on Thursday afternoon in a first division league fixture.
Foresters were left to rue a missed opportunity to add to the woes of bottom club the Lions who had lost their last seven matches on the trot.
The Lions showed purpose in this match despite missing, some key players through injury and suspension as they went close in the 16th minute from Malagasy EstelRandrina but Liberian striker Mohamed Varney failed to head over goalie Kitson Cecile.
Two minutes later at the other end, Laurence Leon played a throw in to striker Ryan Henriette who shot across the face of Lions’ goal.
Foresters should have broken the deadlock in the 25th minute from Nigerian midfielder Nasser Muzamir’s lofted pass to Ugandan striker Tony Kizito but he failed with his attempted lob of goalie Randolph Bijoux.
The Lions then had two gilt edge opportunities to take the lead firstly in the 37th minute from Randrina’s curling corner which was met by Darren Payet’s glancing header which flashed across the Foresters’ goalmouth.
Yannick Charlette had the best chance of this half when Foresters defenders gave the ball cheaply to Varney who tied up the former Foresters’ midfielder who was denied by a fantastic save by goalie Kitson Cecile for a goalless first half.
Foresters raised their game after the interval and in the 47th minute, Ryan Henriette rifled a low shot at goalie Bijoux who parried the ball to safety.
Foresters then made a double substitution as they brought on Tanzanian Hussein Bakary and Martin William for Brandon Labrosse and Muzamir.
However it was the Lions that almost went ahead in the 57th minute from Randrina’s deep freekick to Varney at the back post but he could not hit the target.
A minute later, Foresters went mighty close after some good build up involving William who released Francis Nourrice whose superb cross fell to Kizito but he could not direct it on goal.
The Lions though were reduced to ten men in the 75th minute when Darren Payet inadvertently stamped on Nourrice who was on the floor after being fouled by the same player.
Referee Alistair Barra dished out a straight red card to the apologetic Payet to leave his team with a man short.
Foresters had a great opportunity to claim all three points in the 83rd minute from Laurence Leon’s pinpoint cross to Nourrice whose diving header flew wider as the two teams shared the spoils.
It was the Lions’ first point this season which pleased their coach March Mathiot when he spoke to Sports Nation.
“We had chances to win this match though we are satisfied with a point as the players showed plenty of determination and now we hope to win our next match,” the lions coach said.
As for the Foresters head coach, Bryan Bastienne, he was not happy with his team’s approach to this match.
“I’m very disappointed with my players’ performance and more so as they did not follow instructions but played individually as they underestimated our opponent,” coach Bastienne claimed.
SPONSORSHIP
Athletes receive sponsorship from Xerox
A group of top athletes have received a donation of equipment from Xerox, which forms part of the VCS group in a small ceremony at the VCS Head office at Le Chantier on Thursday afternoon.
This sponsorship which had been scheduled for the Commonwealth Games bound athletes, took place on Thursday where powerlifting coach Zaher Hamden received the donation on behalf of the athletes who are made up of Clementina Agricole, Mervin Dugasse, Janet Georges and ZiadMeckdachi.
It was the Xerox General Manager Mr Stephen Faure who handed over the colour printer to coach Zaher Hamden in the presence of Miss Rose-Marie Henriette, the Xerox Sales Manager.
Mr Faure said that it was a pleasure for Xerox to get this opportunity to assist sportsmen though in a small way.
“We thank you for giving us this opportunity to support sports albeit in a small gesture but we hope to grow in our support to envisage our population to be engaged in physical activity. This ceremony is also a chance for us to show our appreciation for the work and sacrifices the coaches and athletes do for our country,” Mr Faure told the audience.
As for coach Zaher, he was very thankful in receiving this donation on behalf of this group of athletes.
“I would like to thank Xerox and VCS for their support to athletes who are in need of such assistance and we will surely make good use of it and we are really appreciative of all the contribution we receive from private companies and other stakeholders,” coach Zaher said.