Football: Land Marine Cup semifinals-St Michel floor 10-man SMB |12 November 2007
St Michel got off to flying start as they scored in the fourth minute as Don Anacoura held
The goal really upset SMB who had set their stall to defend and they hit St Michel on the counter.
In the 10th minute, they almost conceded a second goal as captain Godfrey Denis drifted into the penalty box for a free-kick but in the clear, he failed to connect.
SMB had a decent opportunity to level matters in the 16th minute as Ahmed Adrienne crossed to the unmarked Terry Chang-Tak-Hue but he headed over.
SMB continued to carry the fight to St Michel and in the 21st minute, Adrienne floated a corner to Michel-Ange Tall but his downward header sailed over with goalie Nelson Sopha relieved as he had missed the cross.
Two minutes later, Joseph Marcellin should have punished a poor back pass by Neddy Rose to goalie Sopha but St Michel managed to clear the danger.
In the 24th minute, Adrienne set up Brian Dorby whose half volley was easily saved by goalie Sopha.
SMB sent on Colin Laporte and Roddy César for the second half but in the 53rd minute they suffered a cruel blow as St Michel scored a second goal from a clearly offside position. It all began as Anacoura received the ball in an offside position which was not signaled by assistant referee Walter Spiro. Anacoura played the ball to substitute Trevor Vidot who was miles offside but he was allowed to score which really infuriated the SMB players. Even referee Jean-Claude Labrosse had his doubts as he consulted with assistant referee Spiro who was adamant that the goal should stand which further annoyed SMB whose protest fell on deaf ears.
In the 57th minute, Philip Zialor burst through but his low shot flew agonisingly wide.
SMB kept attacking and in the 64th minute, Laporte released Marcellin but goalie Sopha was quick off his line to deny the SMB forward.
Five minutes later, SMB’s Brian Asba was shown his second yellow card which resulted in a red card for a late tackle on Anacoura and was sent off.
As SMB pressed to reduce the arrears, St Michel almost added a third goal as Zialor threaded a pass to Malagasy Pascal but goalie Lesperance was out in a flash to thwart the danger.
Two minutes later, goalie Lesperance again denied St Michel as he tackled Anacoura who had latched onto Zialor’s through pass.
SMB’s last chance to score a consolation goal came in the 91st minute but Laporte’s glancing header from Brian Dorby’s centre was tipped over by goalie Sopha.
St Michel’s manager Brian Uranie was just pleased his team had won as he complained of tiredness of his players
R. J-L.