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DOWN WE GO Red Star start the month of June knowing that next season they will be competing in the CFA 2, the fifth level of French football from which they "escaped" in May 2006 with a famous win at Bauer against Valenciennes.
However, with five minutes or so remaining in the game on Sturday at Bauer, all was looking rosy in the garden until a certain Romain Ouéhi spoilt the afternoon for Red Star. Romain whom ? Former Paris FC player Ouéhi, now plying his trade with Quimper FC rose to head home an equaliser for his side at Villemomble, just a few kilometres down the road from Saint-Ouen. This meant that Red Star were now in the final relegation spot, despite their heroics against Rennes.
The day started with Vitré already relegated on 61 points, Red Star 68, Pontivy 68 but ahead of Red Star thanks to having beaten them 2-0 in Brittany a couple of weeks ago, Le Havre 69, Guingamp 70 and Quimper 71. Perm any two from the last fie names. Red Star faced Rennes reserves at home; Pontivy were also in the Paris suburbs at Alfortville (nothing for Alfortville to play for except pride); Le Havre were at home to Viry (also nothing at stake); Guingamp travelled to Quevilly (nothing at stake but hoping for a top three finish) whilst Quimper just had to draw at Villemomble to avoid the drop.
Just after the half hour Villemomble looked to have done Red Star a big favour by opening the scoring. seven minutes later Red Stars' Samuel Ojong scored to give real hope for Red Star. News came through that Quevilly were in front against Guingamp, tempered only by Le Havre and Pontivy running riot against their respective opponents.
The dream lasted fourty-eight minutes until Quimper drew level - with only minutes remaining and the holidays beckoning it seemed unlikely that Villemomble would throw everything including the kitchen sink forwards in the hope of saving their neighbours. The game ended 1-1, Red Star held on their lead and won 1-0, their third straight win in a row. Meanwile Red Star are joined in the CFA 2 by Guingamp, 3-2 losers at Quevilly. Pontivy and Le Havre will be hosting CFA football again next season thanks to 4-0 and 5-0 wins over their respective opponents. Pontivy with an awful away record this season turn on the style in the last game with a hammering on their travls of a club not particularly fans of Red Star. Hum.
Samuel Ojong scores Red Stars' winner
CFA RESULTS
Le Havre B - Viry-Châtillon : 5-0
Alfortville - Pontivy : 0-4
Quevilly - Guingamp B : 3-2
Rouen - Caen B : 1-1
La Vitréenne - Paris SG B : 2-0
Villemomble - Quimper : 1-1
Racing - Vitré : 4-1
RED STAR FC 93 - Rennes B : 1-0
Plabennec - Orléans : 3-1
APPEAL After the game, Red Stars' president Patrice Haddad announced that the club is to appeal against the decision that cost Red Star one point (and ultimately relegation) following various crowd incidents throughout the season. However, given recent events (bottle thrown even during the behind-closed-doors game against PSG, another bottle last week at Viry) this could be difficult for the club.
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