Football: Barclays league division one-St Louis Suns cruise past The Lions |26 February 2011
St Louis Suns were given a helping hand as they were awarded a penalty when a defender handled Mervin Mathiot’s cross. Referee Gonzague Boniface pointed to the spot and Jonathan Bibi stepped up to beat goalie Jerome Dingwall for a 1-0 lead.
However, the rest of this half was a dull and mundane affair as St Louis Suns were more than happy to pass the ball around. As for The Lions, they struggled to find their rhythm.
Goalscoring chances were also very few with The Lions’ captain, former St Louis Suns defender Jones Joubert, hitting the side-netting with a free-kick in the 19th minute.
St Louis Suns also had a half chance in the 38th minute as Jean Paul Aglaé centred to debutant Daniel Maillet, whose volley was easily saved by Dingwall.
In the second half, both teams improved their level of play, especially St Louis Suns, who played with more speed.
But the first chance in this period fell to The Lions from a St Louis Suns mistake; Michel Joubert pounced on the loose ball but fired over the crossbar in the 48th minute.
Five minutes later, St Louis Suns produced a superb move as Bibi flicked a pass to the overlapping Serge Asba, whose teasing cross across the goal was missed by Maillet.
Maillet, though, made amends seconds later as he chased a long ball, beating the outrushing Dingwall to centre to Ryan Antat, who headed into an empty net to make it 2-0, leaving The Lions’ custodian embarrassed over this error of judgment.
The Lions again went close with a free-kick in the 59th minute as Darrel Lesperance curled his effort goalwards, bringing a good save out of goalie Joel Lesperance.
For their part, St Louis Suns’ swift attacks opened up The Lions on several occasions.
In the 62nd minute, Denis Barbé floated a crossfield pass to captain Trevor Poiret, who
Three minutes later, substitute Eddie Bistoé picked out Mathiot with a glorious pass but with the goal at his mercy and Poiret begging for the ball, he went for glory and saw his effort come back off the post.
The Lions’ Randolph Lablache had a gilt-edged opportunity in the 77th minute to reduce the deficit as he picked up a loose ball in the St Louis Suns defence, but his low shot was smothered by Lesperance.
In the 79th minute, St Louis Suns sealed their victory as Asba threaded a pass to captain Poiret, who fed Barbé and then raced into the box to collect the return pass to round Dingwall and shoot home for a 3-0 win.
The Lions were unlucky not to score a consolation goal in the 86th minute from Jules Constance’s dipping free-kick as Lesperance produced a great save to tip over the danger to ensure a clean sheet and three vital points.
R. J-L.