ESGSR will play the Aveyron Cup final for the first time in its history at the Paul-Lignon stadium. Beyond the flag team, the whole village is already vibrating.
At the end of March, the agreement between Saint-Georges-de-Luzençon and Saint-Rome-de-Cernon won its ticket to the final of the Aveyron Cup, its first, against Espalion, defending champion. “We played them three times in the same month and they beat us twice in the league “smiles Lamine Diedhiou, the coach.
Since then, beyond the club, it is the two villages which are preparing this final “historical” at the Paul-Lignon stadium, where Rodez Aveyron Football (Raf) is having an equally historic season in Ligue 2. “This is also the particularity of this cup, it will be a first for everyoneenthuses Philippe Lepetit, co-president since 2018 alongside Eric Maury. Our best run is a semi-final in 2008. We had the pressure in the semi-final. There, we are sure to see Paul-Lignon and we are relaxed to bring the cup home.”
This will require a final victory against Naucelle, this Saturday, May 25. In the group of its D4 championship which the club finished in fourth position – better than last season – ESGSR has already crossed swords with its next opponent. Result: a victory at home and a draw there. Naucelle rather than Aguessac? “Opinions are divided within the club but personally, I would have preferred a final which would have the flavor of almost a derby, everyone knows each other”slides Philippe Lepetit, at the club for more than 20 years for “give a hand” after accompanying his children.
Preparations on and off the field
“All behind you”, “On the road to Paul-Lignon”….Since obtaining the precious ticket for this final, the banners have flourished in the village and the supporters have increased in number at the edge of the pitch on Sunday. Jérôme Bertrand, a former player of the club, has converted to events to organize this last trip of the season. Beyond a few surprises concocted by the supporters, a pack providing the journey and entry to the stadium has generated additional enthusiasm: three buses will be chartered. “All the families are making the trip, for me it will be around fifteen people”smiles Clement.
“It’s incredible to have gotten this far, we’ve almost all been playing together since we were little”, summarize the players a few days before this deadline. 5-0 against Foot Rouergue in the first round, 6-1 against Livinhac in the second round, 3-0 against Foot Vallon, a 2-0 success against Villecomtal in the quarter and the 3-1 victory against Espalion at the end of March: the course satisfies the coach Lamine Diedhiou, whose Aveyron Cup has been his goal since his first day on the bench: “They thought I was crazy.”
From now on, a whole club and the villages have started to dream behind it. “Whatever the outcome of the match, something is planned at the Saint-Georges village hall this Saturday at 11 p.m., confides Philippe Lepetit. We are proud of this team, of the group and we must dedicate this course and this final to the volunteers without whom nothing would be possible.”
The players see no other way out than to “bring the cup home”. A cut that would find a ready-made place in the small, brand new conviviality room. For the club, the supporters, and those who wore the captain’s armband, injured.
