Football: Barclays League division one-Foresters claim Light Stars’ scalp |28 September 2007

Foresters started brightly and in the second minute Norvil Gaspard sprung Light Stars’ offside trap to centre to Kevin Quatre whose shot was deflected into corner.

Renick Esther responded for Light Stars in the seventh minute on a counter but his shot was turned away.
In the 13th minute, Foresters’ debutant striker, Ghanaian Ibrahim Danjumah, showed his potential as he set up Quatre and it required a brave challenge by Light Stars’ captain Bertrand Esther to deny him.

The two teams showed plenty of enterprise early on and in the 17th minute, Renick Esther created havoc in Foresters’ defence to flash a cross to Kevin Prosper who could not direct his shot into a gaping goal.

In the 21st minute, Ghanaian Danjumah picked up a poor Light Stars’ clearance to send a glorious pass to Patrick Bonne who lobbed goalie Patrick Battin to give his team a 1-0 lead.

Foresters could have increased their advantage in the 32nd minute as Danjumah raced forward eluding two defenders but instead of squaring the ball to his teammates he went for glory and fluffed a great chance.

In the 53rd minute, Light Stars’ Kenyan player Moses Wanyoike released Renick Esther whose low shot was well stopped by goalie Christopher Bibi.

Four minutes later, Light Stars deservedly drew level as Congolese Magnifique Ndikumana produced a magnificent 35-metre free-kick which crashed into the roof of the net to make it 1-1.

Coach James Barra decided to make a double substitution, pulling off the lively Renick Esther and central defender Marcus Freminot. Renick Esther’s replacement, Kenyan Charles Otundu, had a fantastic chance to give Light Stars the lead four minutes later as he pounced on a miscued Jason Fred clearance. But Otundu in the clear hurried his shot and goalie Bibi saved his team’s blushes.

In the 62nd minute, Foresters regained their advantage as substitute Francis Nourrice’s downward header sent Gaspard free and he fired low to make it 2-1.

Gaspard though was lucky not to concede a penalty in the 67th minute as he clearly pushed Prosper in the back as he prepared to meet Senky Vidot's deep cross. Prosper went sprawling down in the penalty box but referee Jacques André turned a blind eye.

Light Stars kept up the pressure and in the 72nd minute Kenyan Wanyoike’s volley from a twice taken corner was smothered by goalie Bibi who had a good game on Wednesday.

As Light Stars pressed to level matters, they twice went close to conceding a killer blow.
In the 75th minute, substitute Colin Stravens combined with Danjumah to pull the ball to Gaspard whose goal-bound shot was somehow cleared on the goal-line.

In the 87th minute, Nourrice exchanged passes with Andy Sarah to carve open Light Stars’ defence but the former’s fierce shot was blocked by goalie Battin.

Foresters though had done enough to claim their second league victory as they fight for survival.

R. J-L.