Unable to find the fault against a harmless DFCO, the VAFC settled for a draw in front of their home crowd (0-0). However, the Dijonnais played half an hour outnumbered following the expulsion of Coulibaly, but VA never knew how to crack the defensive block.
Festival of Warnings
However, the first period started with a bang. Barely three minutes into the game, and Gaëtan Robail had fun in midfield before serving Bonnet in depth. Unfortunately the strike from the Valenciennes striker lacked accuracy and went over the goals kept by Reynet (3′). After this brisk start, calm quickly returned to Hainaut. It will almost be necessary to wait for half an hour of play to finally see attempts on target. First on the Valenciennes side, with the powerful strike from the right of Robail, boxed by Reynet (28′), then by Le Bihan for the Dijonnais, but Chevalier intervenes without trembling (29′). Not much else to report in terms of the game, except for a central referee clearly determined to punish at the slightest fault. No less than six yellow cards will be distributed in 45 minutes.
At the hour mark, Senou Coulibaly, the Dijon captain, was expelled by Mr. Vernice for having stopped Ugo Bonnet who was going alone on goal (61′). On the free kick that follows, Baptiste Guillaume is close to opening the scoring, but his header goes a few centimeters from Reynet’s frame (63′). Yet on the power play for thirty minutes, the VAFC will never really worry Baptiste Reynet. Mr. Vernice ends the game after three minutes of additional time. Valenciennes and Dijonnais leave with a goalless draw.
Arthur LASSERON
VAFC – DIJON: 0-0 (0-0)
Twenty-eighth day of Ligue 2 BKT
Saturday March 12, 7 p.m.
Hainaut Stadium, Valenciennes
Referee: M. Vernice
Buts : /
Warnings: Lecoeuche (13′), Ntim (22′), Masson (30′), Linguet (39′), Cuffaut (82′) for Valenciennes; Traoré (12′), Pi (42′) for Dijon
Expulsion: Coulibaly (61′) for Dijon
VAFC : Chevalier – Debuchy, Ntim, Cuffaut (c.) – Linguet, Kaba, Robail (Boutoutaou, 73′), Masson (Yatabaré, 84′), Lecoeuche – Bonnet (Timité, 84′), Ayité (Guillaume, 50′)
Substitutes : Konaté (left), Abeid, Dos Santos, Boutoutatou, Guillaume, Yatabaré, Timité
Coach: Christophe Delmotte
DIJON : Reynet – Traoré, Coulibaly (c.), Ecuele Manga, Fofana – Pi (Married, 72′) – Ngouyamsa, Le Bihan (Jacob, 64′), Deaux – Scheidler, Philippoteaux (Benchaa, 64′)
Substitutes : Roche (l.), Benchaa, Arli, Jacob, Married, Sammaritano, Younoussa
Coach: Patrice Garande
