The opportunity was great but Sochaux did not seize it. A few hours after the defeat of Bordeaux in Metz (0-3), the FCSM could have come back to within a point of the Girondins (2nd) in case of success on Pau. Only, it was the Pau who behaved as the leading team in the Championship. Didier Tholot’s players snatched a precious success for the maintenance (3-2)strong from a controlled first period where they led by two goals, by Eddy Sylvestre (10th) and Yanis Begraoui (32nd).
The rest was less so and the Doubistes, led by their public, snatched what they thought was the equalizer thanks to a header from young Skelly Alvero in additional time (90th + 3), which imitated that of Tony Mauricio, also scorer (58th). The problem was that Alvero, perhaps still hilarious, conceded an avoidable penalty in stride. And despite his request (totally lucky since there is none in L2) to call on the VAR, Begraoui took advantage of the windfall (90th + 11). Thanks to this achievement, Pau takes 6 points ahead of the red zone. A comfortable lead which was also taken by Rodezwinner of Laval(1-0)who was able to count on the reliability of his striker Killian Corredor (36th).
Higher, much higher in the standings, Le Havre continues its journey to the heights of the Championship. Coming with great difficulty – post on a free kick from Pagis in the 90th +2 – at the end of Nimes(1-0), the HAC secured a 29th match in a row without defeat in L2 at the cost of a penalty on which Victor Lekhal did not tremble (45th + 4) after a foul by Benoit Poulain on Jamal Thiaré. He keeps 9 points ahead of 3rd place seven days before the end of the Championship. The operation is good, therefore, for Luka Elsner, but the Slovenian coach will perhaps have to do without Quentin Cornette, Nolan Mbemba and Thiaré, all affected in the Gard.
Bastia and Caen don’t give up
If Bordeaux and Sochaux are the big losers in the first part of the table, this Saturday, Bastia (5th) and Caen (6th) are still giving themselves every chance to hope for a breathtaking end to the season. The Corsicans wandered against Annecy(3-0), in the wake of a 6th goal in 7 matches by their striker Frank Magri, named among the three best players of the month for April. The Normans, themselves, did not experience more difficulties in the face of a pale Paris FC(3-1), who reduced the gap at the end of the match with a csc from Emmanuel Ntim (81st). Achievements from Alexandre Mendy (16th), Samir Sophian Chergui also against his camp (45th) and Godson Kyeremeh (75th) had already made the difference.
13
The PFC conceded in Caen (1-3) its 13th defeat of the season. A worrying record that he had not experienced since the 2015-2016 season when he finished 20th.
If his former team won this Saturday, Pascal Dupraz was not far from achieving a nice coup too. One week after a first success for his debut at the head of Dijonagainst Rodez (1-0), the technician could have experienced such an emotion on the lawn of Quevilly-Rouen but the Norman team snatched a point (2-2)Louis Mafouta equalizing from the penalty spot (76th) despite goals from Matthéo Ahlinvi, magnificent (49th), and Mickaël Le Bihan (53rd).
A little further west, Guingamp won its duel between soft center teams, against Amiens(3-1). Gaëtan Courtet, Jérémy Livolant, author of his first goal since December, and Baptiste Guillaume put their names on the scoreboard against the only Iron Gomis on the Picard side.
71
Author of the opener against Amiens, Gaëtan Courtet reinforced his position as the second top scorer in Ligue 2 activity by scoring the 71st goal of his career at this level.
Finally, in a sulphurous atmosphere, Valenciennes and Niort parted ways in the only goalless match of the day. (0-0). Ahmed Kantari, the neo-technician of VA, can always console himself by saying that he keeps 3 points ahead of the first relegation. But not beating the red lantern is never a good sign.
