ARMENIENNE 1 RED STAR 2 (ht 1-1)
DIVISION HONNEUR
Parc des Sports 10/04/2005
Attendance : 160 - referee Benoît Millot assisted by Franck Armougon & Jérôme Lanier
Goals : Konate (38) - Ouattara (34), Benmesmoudi (89)
Booked : Cissoko (11), Davidson (28), Rahou (77), Masseron (80) - Hammami (38), Cuervo (75), Benmesmoudi (90), Yessad (92)
Subs : Cissoko by Koloka (54), Davidson by Doucouré (63), Same by Murat (87), Cuervo by Hamme (76)
ARMENIENNE : Cabouret (1), Dickenson (2), Rahou (3), Masseron (4), Konaté (5), Elzaltiyi (6), Chalqi (7), Davidson (8), Cissoko (9), Mosesian (10), Same (11), Doucouré (12), Murat (13), Koloka (14). Coach : Jean-Pierre Orts
RED STAR : Bell (1), Hammami (2), Diomande (3), Yessad (4), Fourneuf (5), N’Simba (6), Ouattara (7), Abdallah (8), Tandia (9), Cuervo (10), Benmesmoudi (11), Gueï (12), Baldé (13), Hamme (14). Coach: Jean-Luc Girard
Bilal Hammami piles in where it hurts in order to win the corner leading to Red Stars' first goal
RED STAR RED STAR TOP OF THE LEAGUE !
A typical DH encounter, and one which will go down in history as the day that Red Star reached the top spot in the Division d'Honneur. But it was a gruelling battle against a physical Arménienne outfit, well rehearsed in defence and spoiling tactics. From the outset Red Star looked the better outfit technically, and the classy Taïeb Abdallah was at the centre of most things, creating food openings a plenty. Up front, however, it appeared that the hosts has done their homework on the dangerous Tandia, well shackled throughout ninety minutes, and at times even the in-form Azzedine Benmesmoudi was quiet. Reevis N'Simba was having one of his best games so far in midfield, and at the back the duo Yessad-Fourneuf kept the lively Davidson at bay.
The massed Red Star supporters had to wait just iver half an hour for the breakthrough. A spell of pressure on Cabourets' goal led to Bilal Hammami forcing the defence into conceding another corner, from which Bourama OUATTARA floated the ball directly into the net. (1-0). Cue the by-now habitual scenes of chaos on the terraces, flares let off and celebrations.
The joy was to last only four minutes, however, as Arménienne managed to get into Red Star territory and win a disputed fre kick in a good position. The defence failed to get a head onto the kick, leaving Konaté the big centre half and captain to rise up and plant the ball past Yann Bell. Unfortunately the burly defended blotted his copybook somewhat in deciding to perform the celebrations tight in front of the massed Saint-Ouen fans. He did escape a booking from the referee, which would have been justified for provocation.
Red Star didn't panic, still held all the keys to the game and to the supporters the question was "when" rather than "if".
But it was a very long wait, despite good efforts for Tandia, Benmesmoudi and Ouattara. Philippe Cuervo had given his all, received a needless booking and was substituted. His replacement Jimmy Hamme proved to be a real handful for the tiring home defence, and indeed it was from a foul on Hamme that Red Star got their just rewards. From the free kick not far from the goal line, Abdallah found the head of BENMESMOUDI and the ball was in the net, accompanied by pandemonium amidst the travelling supporters. (1-2). Only one minute left on the clock, could Red Star hold out. Some anguished moments deep into injury time as the referee awarded a free kick in a very dangerous position, but the ball was fired high and wide of Yann Bells' goal. So Red Star held out, news filtered through that Meaux had beaten Morangis Chilly, so Red Star were second, an information later to be amended when a 0-0 draw was the true result and the Audoniens had gone top.
Bravo Red Star, a bit of luck, much skill and a deserved win. Next weeks' clash at Sannois-Saint-Gratien also promises to be a tough encounter, although this time the opponents are more of a footballing side. Full markds anyway to Jean-Luc Girards' men, the hard work has been done in achieving top spot; the harder job of staying their now follows !
Some match photos from todays' game
89th minute: Abdallah floats over a free kick
...Azzedine Benmesmoudi gets his head on the end of it...
..and Red Star celebrate, and go top of the league
Genuine emotion at the end of the game
© AllezRedStar.com 2005