Football: Land Marine Cup-St Roch seal Anse Reunion’s fate |14 September 2010

It was Anse Reunion’s second defeat in a week after losing 2-4 to Northern Dynamo in the league on Thursday.

As for St Roch, it was a deserved victory for them after their courageous performance against St Michel last Wednesday.

Anse Reunion looked dangerous in attack, though, with Malagasy Milison Niasere leading the line.

In the third minute, Milison did well to create space to cut the ball back to Norvil Gaspard, who controlled it but shot wide.

St Roch responded three minutes later as Steve Savy fed Steven Télémaque, but he flashed his shot across the face of goal.

Just past the half hour mark, Anse Reunion had a decent chance as Malagasy Jean Eddie Randriamihaja released Jean-François Dora, who had replaced the injured Roger Uranie. Dora’s shot was well saved by goalie Eugene Valentin.

St Roch stunned Anse Reunion in the 55th minute as Nerick Athanase pounced on a defensive error by goalie Wilfred Ally to slot the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.

In the 62nd minute, St Roch’s Denis Belle and Valentin produced great tackles to deny Ricky Rose after Milison had set him up.

Anse Reunion were given a reprieve in the 72nd minute as St Roch’s captain Daven Belle inexplicably tackled Milison from behind in the penalty area and referee Bernard Camille quite rightly pointed to the spot.

Malagasy substitute Jean Del’Or Tsaralaza stepped up but his shot came off a post. The ball rebounded to Roderick Rose, who played it to Jean Del’Or but he volleyed wide.

Three minutes later, Anse Reunion’s Gaspard played a delightful ball to Jean Del’Or, who sent in a teasing cross to Milison but he rifled across the goalmouth with the goal begging.

St Roch almost added a second in the 87th minute from Télémaque’s corner, but Denis Belle failed to connect properly with a free header.

St Roch, though, held on to dump Anse Reunion and move to the quarterfinals where they await the winner of yesterday’s clash between cup holders St Michel and Northern Dynamo.

Meanwhile, St Louis were the first team to reach the quarterfinals with a 6-0 thumping of second divisioners Mont Buxton.

R. J-L.