Football: Sunkiss'd league division one Anse Reunion bring Plaisance back to reality |30 August 2004
The match was a one sided affair as Plaisance never reached the heights they did the week before last when they shocked St Michel.
The dream was short lived as they had their backs to the wall as a result of relentless pressure from Anse Reunion.
Anse Reunion though kept on missing the target which really infuriated their bench. In the 15th minute, Yelvanny Rose headed against the cross-bar when it looked easier to score from a Dominique Kiyambu's teasing cross.
Anse Reunion finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute as the impressive Kiyambu centred to the unmarked Joel Ah-Kong who scored his second goal in as many matches.
The inclusion of Malagasy striker Firinga Fahindany in the 66th minute bolstered Anse Reunion's attack. Four minutes later, Firinga made space on the right to cross but the ball was deflected past goalie Benjamin Kench by the rugged defender Gavin Jeanne for an own goal.
Plaisance's cause was further hampered five minutes later when Dave Marengo was sent off for his second bookable offence by referee Bernard Mellon.
Anse Reunion also had a player expelled in goalscorer Ah-Kong who got his marching orders for swearing after being the victim of a bone crushing tackle by defender Jeanne.
Anse Reunion extended their lead in the 80th minute as Fahindany wrestled his way through a crowd of players before firing low in the far corner for a 3-0 lead. On the stroke of full-time, Fahindany was brought down by Dave Dufrèsne in the penalty box.
Referee Mellon pointed to the spot and goalie Ricky Rose rammed the spot kick past goalie Kench to seal Plaisance's fate.
La Passe add to St Michel’s woes
La Passe kept pace with league leaders, Red Star following a 2-1 win over St Michel at Stad Linite on Saturday whilst on La Digue the same day, Red Star crushed Light Stars 3-0.
The match between St Michel and La Passe developed into a physical contest and the two main culprits, St Michel’s Kenny Rath and La Passe’s goalkeeper Vincent Euphrasie were shown the red card by referee Eddie Maillet to try and restore some calm.
After the match fans from the two sides were involved in confrontation and windows were smashed at the sporting venue on a day of shame for football.
The tone was set from the first minute when Garry Robert was booked for a reckless foul on La Passe's Malagasy import, Amisy Voavy. The quality of football though was of a high calibre as St Michel, who had coach Brian Uranie back at the helm, looked highly motivated.
In the fifth minute, Salum Kinje’s corner dropped to an unmarked Voavy who headed inches wide. St Michel stunned La Passe three minutes later as their Kenyan import Moses Gikenyi embarrassed goalie Euphrasie with a long range effort which went through his legs to give his team the lead.
La Passe levelled matters in the 16th minute after Kenyan Kinje was fouled by Roddy Victor on the edge of the penalty area. The diminutive Kinje picked himself up to curl a superb free-kick past a bemused goalie Nelson Sopha.
The goal rattled St Michel’s confidence and in the 33rd minute Gikenyi gave the ball away too easily and the magnificent Kinje centred to Voavy who headed against the cross-bar with St Michel’s defence caught napping.
La Passe pounced on a poor clearance by goalie Sopha in the 41st minute to go ahead. Kinje combined with Malagasy Eric Rajaobery to release Verna Rose who had all the time in the world to pick out Voavy who headed in the bottom corner off the net for a 2-1 score at half-time.
St-Michel came out for the second half determined to regain the initiative. In the 52nd minute, goalie Euphrasie was quick off his line to deny Kenyan Isaiah Onyango, back from injury, connecting to substitute Joel Barbe’s cross.
Malagasy Bruno Saindini who had suffered a shoulder injury a month ago was brought in for La Passe in the 80th minute but he failed to make an impact.
In the 86th minute, Victor intelligently threaded a pass to Onyango who allowed the ball to roll away from him in a clear scoring position.
Red Star march on
Victory also went to Red Star on Saturday when they thrash Light Stars 3-0 on La Digue.
Red Star opened the scoring in the first half from a spot-kick through Ted Radegonde. Light Stars' trouble was worsened in the second half as Roy Bill scored in his own net.
The league’s top scorer Wilnes Brutus made it a miserable afternoon for the Praslin side as he scored a third to keep his team in first position in the standings.