Football: Barclays league division one |11 June 2007

St Louis Suns share the spoils with St Roch

St Louis Suns shared the spoils with St Roch in a 0-0 draw in a Barclays league division one match at Stad Linite on Thursday afternoon.

However, this match will be remembered as it was the first time in the local football history that a match was played behind closed doors.

St Louis Suns fans had been penalised for allegedly causing havoc to the infrastructure at this venue last Saturday after their team’s controversial loss to St Francis who were gifted a penalty by referee Elzea Michel

This is a rather harsh decision although some kind of investigation was undertaken, but the accused team were not given the opportunity to appeal this decision.
On Thursday, the police had come down in force as the gates remained locked to turn away the few St Louis Suns supporters who had come in an attempt to watch the match. This was rather ironic as for some time now police officers had not been seen at Stad linite during football matches

As for the match itself, it was a major disappointment as St Louis Suns, despite enjoying plenty of possession, found it hard to create decent opportunities.

St Louis Suns had a gilt-edge chance in the 12th minute when Malagasy Clariel collected Nigel Freminot’s glorious pass but he shot across the face of goal.

In the 23rd minute, Fabien Cadeau could not direct his header on target after Malagasy Falinirina and Damien Maria had combined for a short corner.
Falinirina also went close on the half hour mark but his shot was deflected into corner following a good passing move by St Louis Suns.

The second half was a more closely fought affair but St Louis Suns thought they had broken the deadlock in the 55th minute when captain Mervin Mathiot’s strong shot was spilled by goalkeeper Randolph Bijoux to the lurking Clariel who rammed home the rebound. Assistant referee Darnsley Télémaque though had correctly signaled for an offside.

St Roch threatened in the 61st minute from Leeroy Gomme’s free-kick which Malvin Pierre headed over from a good scoring position.
In the 77th minute, Gomme tested goalkeeper Joel Lesperance with a driving free-kick which he saved well.

As the game grew older, both teams pushed for a goal and in the 80th minute St Louis Suns countered swiftly through captain Mathiot but in a four against one situation, Mathiot allowed Malagasy Nestor Benahovy to block his cross.

St Roch then pushed forward as St Louis Suns were caught out in defence and Dan Pharce lofted a pass to Gerick Vidot who sprung their opponents’ offside trap. However, goalkeeper Joel Lesperance was quick off his line to divert Vidot’s shot into corner.

In the 83rd minute, St Roch’s substitute Gino Tirant fired at goalkeeper Lesperance as he was given space but the St Louis Suns custodian tipped over the shot.

Four minutes later at the other end, St Louis Suns threatened from goalkeeper Lesperance’s long goal-kick to Clariel who hassled with his countryman Benahovy who threw himself to charge down Clariel’s goal-bound shot as the match ended in a stalemate.

R. J-L.