Football: Barclays league division one-St Louis Suns tear apart 10-man LightStars, La Passe win, SMB and Dynamo draw |23 March 2009

St Louis Suns v LightStars

St Louis Suns took time to settle into their stride as LightStars tried to make life difficult for them. It took St Louis Suns 20 minutes to get their act together and they opened the scoring in the 24th minute. It started with a long ball from defence to Yannick Charlette on the left. He cut inside to feed Alpha Baldé, who intelligently let the ball roll to Malagasy Rajaniaina Hasinarivola on the edge of the penalty area and he fired a low shot past LightStars goalkeeper Denis Fideria (1-0).

LightStars responded a minute later with a speculative shot by Rennick Esther which flew agonisingly wide.
St Louis Suns increased their lead in the 33rd minute following a quick break from defence. Goalkeeper Eugene Valentin rolled the ball to Charlette who played a lofted pass to Baldé and he in turn flicked the ball into the path of Andy Mougal. The former Plaisance striker raced clear to round the out-rushing Fideria and score (2-0).

St Louis Suns almost added a third goal in the 39th minute as Baldé played a corner to Hasinarivola, who blazed his shot wide from a good scoring position.

LightStars, who had to reorganise their defence as Shaun Barbé had to be replaced after clashing with Baldé, should have reduced the deficit with the last kick of the first half. Ramsamimanana turned St Louis Suns Malagasy captain Jimmy Radafison to centre to Andrew Jean, who flashed a clear header wide.

LightStars were reduced to 10 men in the 52nd minute when Mervin Bristol, who had already been yellow-carded in the first half, brought down Baldé who was clean through on goal. He was given a second yellow card and his marching order.
Two minutes later, captain Esther tripped Trevor Poiret who had dispossessed him and it resulted in a penalty converted by Baldé (3-0).

In the 64th minute, the game almost turned on its head as LightStars substitute Basil Hoareau committed a dirty foul from behind on Poiret and referee Jean-Claude Labrosse only awarded a freekick. The normally cool Poiret lashed out at Hoareau who had caught his ankle and a mêlée resulted before calm was restored. At this point many feared Poiret would be sent off for retaliation but referee Labrosse only showed a yellow card and this infuriated the LightStars bench. An injured Poiret was replaced.

Charlette was rewarded for his hard work by netting St Louis Suns’ fourth goal. Captain Radafison played a long ball forward and LightStars substitute Hendrick Quatre seemed to have it covered, but Charlette robbed him of the ball to race clear and slot home (4-0).

LightStars did score a consolation goal from the penalty spot late in the match. Goalkeeper Valentin juggled the ball and was challenged by Kenneth Radegonde. He kicked out at the LightStars player and referee Labrosse awarded the Praslin side a penalty and yellow-carded Valentin. Captain Bertrand Esther converted the penalty (4-1).

St Louis Suns Malagasy coach Henri Rakotomavo said his team were slow out of the blocks.
“I’ve changed the team’s playing strategy and I’m certain the team will progress,” he added.
As for LightStars coach James Barra, he was not too happy with the level of officiating and noted that they will take their revenge on home soil.

SMB v Northern Dynamo

SMB will rue themselves for not winning this match as they created many opportunities only for some wayward finishing.
SMB made a great start as Collin Laporte opened the scoring in the sixth minute, but Dynamo levelled the score in the 16th minute when Malagasy Asman Todisoa beat goalie Trevor Bill.

SMB still had the better chances as they dominated proceedings. In the 36th minute, Andy Samedi restored SMB’s lead when he rifled a shot past goalie Jules Monnaie.

Northern Dynamo reorganised themselves in the second half and they drew level in the 49th minute as Evans Télémaque chased a long ball which he controlled before firing a shot into the far corner.

SMB created many chances to win the match but Samedi, Yannick Julie, Laporte and Gerard Basset all failed to score.
SMB manager George Toussaint said his team were too wasteful in front of goal, but is hopeful that they will improve in the next match.

Northern Dynamo’s coach Cliff Nolin said his team made too many mistakes in the first half and had to change things in the second.

La Passe v Anse Réunion

Malagasy striker Asman Abdou got the only goal of the match in the first half to give La Passe a 1-0 win over neighbours Anse Réunion in the La Digue derby on Saturday.

R. J-L.