Football: Sunkiss'd division one-SMB and St Michel in stalemate |19 October 2004

St Michel, who had thrashed lowly Plaisance 7-1 in a mid-week Land Marine Cup fixture, took the right option in the 14th minute when veteran defender Brian Gill, playing his second match after a long lay-off, put them in the lead with a powerful header from an Alex Nibourette deep cross from the left flank.

SMB's Cyril Edmond came close in the 24th minute after being released by Rodney Stravens but his shot on goal was too weak and was easily dealt with by St Michel's custodian Nelson Sopha.   

In the 39th minute, the same Edmond went on a slalom run after having received a long pass from midfield. The striker, while running towards goal, was brought down in his stride on the edge of the penalty area by the outrushing keeper Sopha. The St Michel keeper was red-carded by referee Jean-Claude Labrosse who awarded SMB a free-kick.
Before SMB were allowed to play the free-kick, St Michel took off diminutive Malagasy attacking midfielder Clovis for substitute goalie Egbert Havelock.

Collin Laporte gave keeper Havelock no chance with a ground-level shot at the far post.
Edmond, who was a handful for the St Michel defence on Sunday, wasted SMB's best chance of grabbing all three points in the 63rd minute. After defender Gill missed his clearance, Edmond unleashed a powerful volley which keeper Havelock palmed into corner.

Had Edmond netted the winner, SMB would have collected their fifth win of the season.
With 19 points to their name after 18 matches, SMB are currently in seventh position with four wins, seven defeats and seven draws. St Michel, who are left with another game to play against Light Stars on La Digue on Saturday October 23, are in sixth place with 20 points from a possible 51.

C. J.