Football: Division one league - Ten-man St Louis leave it late against Foresters |10 March 2018

Playing with 10 men, defending division one league champions St Louis left it late against Foresters to claim a narrow 1-0 win on Thursday afternoon in their opening match in the defence of their title.

It was once again a far from convincing performance from the reigning league champions who made hard work of Foresters who had welcomed back their Ugandan striker, Tony Kizito, who had left last year for trials in Thailand.

In fact, the Mont Fleuri-based side had a half chance in the 17th minute when Martin Williams burst through but he shot tamely at St Louis’ Malagasy goalkeeper Michel.

St Louis won a penalty in the 24th minute when Gervais Waye-Hive floated a corner kick to the far post and it was met by his captain Bertrand Esther’s header which came off the arm of Williams for a penalty awarded by referee Emile Fred.

St Louis’ usual penalty taker, Malagasy Tahiry stepped up for the spot kick but his low shot was stopped by goalkeeper Kitson Cecile but there was some confusion as the official blew his whistle before awarding a free kick to Foresters.

Referee Fred then explained to Sports NATION at half-time that the penalty had been disallowed as the taker (Tahiry) had feigned to shoot which is an offence and he was lucky not to receive a yellow card for his action.

Four minutes later, the league champions were awarded a second penalty from a similar corner kick from Waye-Hive but this time Malagasy Herve hooked a hanging ball in the box and as Foresters’ skipper, Malagasy Leonard Besabotsy, battled for the ball with Karl Hall, he handled it and the official pointed to the spot.

Waye-Hive assumed responsibility of the penalty but his shot was well turned away by goalkeeper Cecile for his second stop from the spot.

Foresters then should have put the cats among the pigeon in the 40th minute when Ryan Henriette and Brandon Labrosse exchanged passes to open up the St Louis defence before the former laid the ball on a plate to Kizito but he miscued his shot from inside the penalty area.

In the 42nd minute, St Louis won a third penalty when Tahiry released Hall who was brought down by goalkeeper Cecile who was booked as he conceded the spot kick but the former La Passe and Glacis goalkeeper redeemed himself as he saved his third penalty in this half as he turned away Danny Madeleine’s spot kick to establish a record in local football for saving three penalties in one half.

Foresters had another glorious chance to break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when Labrosse lofted a pass to Kizito and with goalkeeper Michel way off his line, he delayed to lob the St Louis custodian and wasted a good opportunity for a 0-0 first half scoreline.

St Louis’ level of play dropped in the second half as Foresters had handled them well and kept them at bay and they only had a gilt-edge opportunity in the 67th minute when Juninho Mathiot, who was making his debut, linked up with Tahiry who fed Hall whose half volley was smothered by goalkeeper Cecile.

In the 72nd minute, Foresters went foraging forward as Kizito hassled for the ball with Damien Maria and won but when he should have squared to Labrosse, he went for glory and fired wide.

St Louis were reduced to 10 men in the 84th minute when Juninho Mathiot lashed out at substitute Francis Nourrice who had fouled him and he retaliated when the Foresters player was on the floor.

Referee Fred consulted with fourth official Damoo before calling both players to issue a yellow card and as Mathiot had been booked earlier, he had to leave the pitch leaving his team a man short.

St Louis though were offered a final lifeline on the stroke of full time as Hall was scythed down by defender Marlon Sophola in full flight for a fourth penalty in this match as the official pointed to the penalty spot.

This time goalkeeper Michel moved forward to take the penalty and just managed to score as the ball cannoned off the crossbar and rolled over the line for a final 1-0 score much to the relief of the St Louis camp.

The St Louis manager Davis Khan admitted after the match that his team had found the going tough in this match.

“We had numerous chances to score from the penalties but surprisingly we failed to score which made things difficult for us especially in the second half when we did not play well but were just lucky to win. But we will have to raise our level for our next match,” manager Khan told Sports NATION.

For his part, Foresters coach Bryan Bastienne said his team deserved a share of the spoils in this match.

“I feel we at least deserved a share of the points as we try to assemble a team after we lost a few players to other teams and started pre-season late and our two new foreign recruits only arrived in the country this week, but overall we are not disappointed with our performance,” coach Bastienne explained to Sports NATION.

R. J-L.