Football: Sunkiss'd division one-Julius gives Red Star win over St Michel |17 July 2004

The game's sole goal was scored by Elvis Julius in the opening minute following a mêlée inside St Michel's penalty area to open his league account. Jeffrey Brutus' in-swinging corner was headed towards goal by Malagasy midfielder Taly and St Michel's goalie Egbert Havelock, who was deputising for Seychelles' international custodian Nelson Sopha, spilled the ball.

Red Star's deadly Malagasy striker René-Yves Raonizory tried his luck with a low shot which was blocked by a defender. The loose ball rolled straight at Julius' feet and his first-time outside-of-the-boot shot beat a bemused goalie Havelock to silence the St Michel supporters.

After the goal, the Saints, still without Kenyan central defender Zablon Amanaka who is overseas, injured midfielder Don Anacoura and goalie Sopha, upped the tempo to force Mosa's Red Star on the defensive.

Kenyan defender Moses Gikenyi should have levelled matters in the seventh minute but his close-range effort from an Isaiah Onyango assist was easily dealt with by Red Star's goalie Joel Lesperance.

The same Onyango stole a ball from Red Star's Desiré Ramsamymanana in the 17th minute, went on a darting run, but was tackled in the nick of time by the same Malagasy defender.
Red Star should have gone two goals up in the 25th minute, but the hardworking Taly shot wide an Elvis Julius square pass with the goal begging.

The second half lacked intensity and goal-mouth actions, but the best chances fell to Red Star and they could not convert for a much bigger victory.

Industrious Julius received a through ball from substitute Bernard St Ange in the 76th minute but to his own disbelief and that of the Red Star supporters, he shot over the cross-bar with the goal at his mercy. 

In the 85th minute, goalie Havelock, who worked tirelessly all evening, pulled off a good save to deny substitute Tony Morel whose diving header looked like heading into goal.
A jubilant coach Mosa told Sports Nation after the match that he was happy with the win and that his team could have done much better.

"I expected my team to grab victory today (Thursday) but by a much bigger margin because we were well-prepared for the encounter. There is still more room for improvement and I hope we continue in the same vein in our future matches," he said.
Red Star are leading the standings with 15 points after having remained unbeaten in five outings.

As for St Michel, who went down 0-1 to Sunshine last Saturday, they are presently fourth with five points after one win, two draws and two losses.
Red Star have scored 19 goals and leaked in just two, while St Michel have found the back of their opponent's net 10 times and have conceded six goals.