Football: Sunkiss'd division one-St Louis win to finish second, Anse Réunion floor Northern Dynamo |18 October 2004

St Louis needed to win the match at all cost if they were to finish in second position, but Sunshine never made things easy for them.

Sunshine's industrious captain Denis Barbé shocked St Louis in the 14th minute with a long range effort past a bemused goalkeeper Dominic Chang-Waye from a Steven Constance assist.

The early goal did not dampen St Louis' fighting spirit and they got their due reward five minutes later (19th) through marksman Philip Zialor who accepted an Alpha Baldé through ball to beat a diving keeper Philip Battin.

Philip's younger brother, Denis Zialor, gave St Louis the lead in the 30th minute, escaping Sunshine's offside trap to score in an empty goal.

The goal shook off Sunshine who pressured their opponents inside their own half. On the stroke of half-time, Jude Ally unleashed a powerful shot way outside the penalty area and the ball found refuge at the back of goalie Chang-Waye's net to equalise at 2-2.
Both teams came out roaring after the breather in search of the winning goal but they squandered most of their chances depriving the game of more spectacles.

St Louis were more ambitious than Sunshine and in the 71st minute, league top scorer Philip Zialor combined well with substitute Roy Julie before chipping home the winner.

St Louis have 36 points to their account, one less than newly crowned champions La Passe who are left with two games to play at home against Plaisance on October 30 and Northern Dynamo on November 7.

In another match played last Saturday, this time at the La Digue playing field, home side Anse Réunion floored Northern Dynamo 3-1 to consolidate fourth position in the standings with 28 points from 17 matches.

All four goals were scored in the first period. Anse Réunion broke the deadlock through Roderick Rose but soon after Ronny Hoareau tied the score at 1-1.

Northern Dynamo could not keep up the momentum and they leaked in another two goals before the end of the first 45-minute spell. The other Anse Réunion's scorers were Malagasy Firinga Fahidany and Stephen Morel.

C. J.