Football: Barclays League division one-Foresters and Northern Dynamo still fighting relegation |19 October 2007

Northern Dynamo started the stronger as they needed all three points which would have improved their chances of at least making it to the play-offs.

In the 18th minute, Jules Désir forced a good save out of Foresters’ goalie Christopher Bibi.

Foresters responded in the 24th minute as Jeffrey Larue threaded a pass to Norvil Gaspard who out-sped the Northern Dynamo defenders but in a one-on-one situation he allowed Northern Dynamo’s goalie Jules Monnaie to block his shot.

Just past the half hour mark, Evans Télémaque curled a superb cross which was met by Désir with a header but goalie Bibi saved at the second attempt.

In the 33rd minute, Northern Dynamo’s captain Ronny Hoareau played a glorious pass over the Foresters defence to Malagasy Asman Abdou whose control let him down at a crucial moment as the Mont Fleuri-based team rode their luck.

Three minutes later, Northern Dynamo deservedly took the lead as Evans Télémaque floated the ball behind Foresters’ defence to Malagasy Asman Todisoa who rounded Derick Figaro to fire past goalie Bibi (1-0).

Foresters re-organised in the second period as Malagasy captain Robert Edmond was pushed into midfield to stern the threat of Abdou. Edmond almost made an immediate impact in the 46th minute as he raced onto a through pass but he blazed wide in a good scoring position.

Foresters levelled matters in the 59th minute as Norvil Gaspard weaved his way past a couple of defenders before he was tripped by Steven Henriette.  Referee Wesson Joubert did not hesitate to point to the penalty spot much to the fury of the Northern Dynamo bench. Jeffrey Larue, who scored the winner against St Michel, stepped up to shoot at goalie Monnaie who got a touch to the ball but could not stop it from crossing the goal-line for a 1-1 score.

The goal spurred Northern Dynamo into action and in the 76th minute, Ronny Maringo released Abdou after a stray pass by Edmond. Abdou’s drive was met by Todisoa’s diving header which crashed against the foot of a post.

On the counter, Gaspard twisted and turned captain Ronny Hoareau before unleashing a powerful shot which hit the far post with goalie Monnaie well beaten.

Northern Dynamo threw everything at Foresters as they packed their defence. In the 82nd minute, Désir picked up a flick from a long ball from defence but his strong shot was charged down by goalie Bibi into corner.

Coach Cliff Nolin’s team wanted a penalty late in the match after Todisoa, who had eluded substitute Leeroy Gomme, was apparently brought down by Larue, but the officials were not convinced.

Foresters remain in seventh position with 13 points whilst Northern Dynamo are in eighth place with 10 points, three more than bottom club Red Star who have three games remaining.

R. J-L.