Show, talent, suspense… We undoubtedly witnessed the best National match since the start of the season this Monday evening during the Ile-de-France derby counting for the 16th day. In an intense encounter, Versailles and the Red Star produced a good performance without a winner (2-2) during the 16th day in a Jean-Bouin stadium (Paris 16th arrondissement) which brought together 5,000 spectators.
The good operation is to the credit of Red Star who finished the match at 10 against 11. One day before the first leg, the Seine-Saint-Denis club continues to lead the National with 9 lengths of ahead of dauphin Niort and above all 10 points more than Martigues (3rd) (The DNCG took 5 points from Rouen and Villefranche has seven points less and three matches to replay). The ticket for a return to Ligue 2 is, of course, not yet validated but it will not be far away by maintaining such quality in the second part of the first period.
For his 3rd match at the head of Versailles, coach Grégory Vignal this time did not manage to win but his results with 7 points taken out of 9 and 12 goals scored is positive. Ninth (with one game in hand), the Yvelines team can look forward to the second part of the season with optimism.
In a very pleasant first act, the two teams go blow for blow. After an attempt by Versailles player Hend (5th), Habib Beye’s men controlled the game and missed two very good opportunities to open the score. A volley from Botella is superbly repelled by Renot (10th) then Hachem finds the post (13th).
Two goals just before halftime, two goals just after
Dominated, the Versailles showed themselves sharp on their counterattack. Kouagba slightly unbalances Baaloudj in the area but the referee does not flinch (31st) then a strike from Nadje is repelled by Beunardeau (36th). On a final corner before the break, Durand places his ball on the head of Kougba who catapults the ball into the top corner (0-1, 45th). A short-lived lead since on the start, a cross from Baaloudj is taken at the 2nd post by Jeremain Lens (1-1, 45th + 1).
The break does not dampen the enthusiasm of the Ile-de-France teams. Quite the contrary. When we return from the locker room, the game gets crazy. The Red Star regained the advantage after only around thirty seconds following a strike from more than 30 m into the top corner from Renot (1-2, 46th).
The Versaillais immediately responded by competing in aesthetics with their opponent. A ball poorly cleared by the Audon defense is volleyed at 25 m by Basque into Beunardeau’s lens (2-2, 48th).
Red Star at 10 to finish
No question of calculating, both teams want to win. A new volley from Audonien Cissé is repelled by the left post (61st). On the following action, Gozzi receives a second warning for a foul on Leborgne.
Red Star finished the last half hour outnumbered. Versailles is growing. A powerful strike from the excellent Baaloudj hits the crossbar (85th) then a volley from Prunier is repelled by Beunardeau (88th).
It was said that the two teams would not be able to stand out after such a match. Now time for a mini-truce before the resumption of the championship scheduled for January 12 during the 17th and final day of the first leg. Red Star will host Orléans while Versailles will travel to Goal FC.
The match sheet
VERSAILLES – RED STAR : 2-2 (1-1)
Spectators: 5000.
Referee: Mr. Roffet.
Buts. Versailles : Lens (45e + 1), Basque (48e) ; Red Star : Kouagba (45e), Eickmayer (46e).
Warnings. Versailles: Altikulac (31st); Red Star: Gozzi (31st).
Expulsion. Red Star : Gozzi (62e).
Versailles: Renot – Leborgne, Jaques (cap.), Akueson, Altikulac – Basque (Bngoura, 90th + 1), Nadje, Lens (Mbala, 79th) – Baaloudj, Prunier, Hend (Duku Mbenga, 74th). Entr. : Vignal.
Red Star: Beunardeau – Meyapya, Kouagba (cap.), Gozzi – Cissé, Eickmayer, Hachem, Durand (Seridor, 90th + 2) – Botella (Doucoure, 67th), Anani (Fall, 90th + 2), Benali (El Hriti , 67th). Enter. :Beye.
