After having already achieved the feat of taking out a formation hierarchically superior to it in the 5th round (Voltigeurs de Châteaubriant, N2), a new big challenge awaited US Changé (R1) on this Saturday, October 26, 2024. Indeed, for the 6th round, the Changéens pulled the biggest piece from the hat, the Sarthe neighbors of Le Mans FC, residents of National. But in front of their public, who came to explode the crowd at the Dalibard stadium, the Mayennais had every intention of defending their skin dearly.
But unsurprisingly, possession and the first chances went to Le Mans. However, it took ten minutes for USC goalkeeper Bordelet to be called upon. On a second ball which was lying around in the area after an aerial ball, Nonnenmacher tried to volley. But it lacked the power to shake USC's last bastion.
The danger seemed to come mainly from the Sarthe right wing, where Calodat was doing damage. With his speed and his calls from deep, the No. 8 from Le Mans created gaps. He even had a solo raid, at the end of which his shot hit the crossbar (19').
Except that it was at this moment that the Changéans released their crampons in a sublime collective action. With Legendre recovering in his half, and Lhuissier at the conclusion, at the penalty spot, the Mayennais opened the scoring (1-0, 19'). Dalibard's audience exploded with joy.
The perfect scenario was emerging for the Changéans. Especially since the little bit of luck and success was on the Mayennais side when Vula forgot to place his header out of Bordelet's reach (36'). The USC goalkeeper was at work again before the break, laying down a shot from Keita (42').
Returning to the pitch with this slight advantage was enough to galvanize the changed block positioned in 5-3-2. Even more so after 45 minutes where USC showed rigor, seriousness and lucidity also when they had the ball at their feet.
This is perhaps why Marc Deniau's players were able to quickly recover, while Le Mans equalized in the first moments of the second half. Captain Rabillard sounded the Lens revolt (1-1, 47'). But while Changé is at ten, Perrot being treated after a clash with Vula, the seesaw tilted again towards the Mayennais. Thanks to a long shot from Ernoux, deflected by the defender, the Changéens got back in front (2-1, 49').
Unfortunately, this was without counting on Rabillard's realism. Discreet in the game, the captain of Le Mans was still there to revive his team, taking a cross from the untenable Calodat (2-2, 64').
After that, the rain and the lush lawn of Dalibard began to weigh heavily on the legs of the Mayennais. Logical, despite their valiant attitude. Rabillard, who had decidedly set his alarm for half-time, took the opportunity to escape on the left wing, and crossed. Another decisive action from the Sarthe captain who saw Leroy push the ball into his own goal while trying to defend on Oggad (72', 2-3).
The hierarchy was finally respected in this poster which offered enjoyable football. But the great adventure of the Changéens, residents of R1, ends here. In this 6th round and this more than honorable defeat against the Sarthois club National.
Highlights:
2’- After Vula's strike was slightly muddled by Changé's defense, Oggad took his chance with first intention at the edge of the area. But his shot flew well above.
10’- The first shot on target of the match was for Le Mans. But Nonnenmacher's volley is too weak to shake the nets.
16’- Le Mans found the bar of the cage changed! after an individual breakthrough from Calodat, who left his right wing to enter the axis, his nice shot was repelled by the crossbar.
19' – 1-0: GOAL FOR CHANGED!! During a superb collective movement, US Changé opened the scoring with its essential scorer, Lhuissier. But at the start of the action, he can thank the incredible work of his teammates: Legendre first, Salmon then, then Ernoux, for the overflow in depth and the decisive ground cross.
26’- Hatfout prevents US Changé from making the break! While Keita completely fails in his defensive intervention, Messager finds himself in perfect position in the penalty area. The Mayennais takes the time to control and connects a powerful shot, but the Le Mans goalkeeper diverts it for a corner.
36’- Just after Perrier was able to find a shooting position, without catching the target, Le Mans almost equalized. Perfectly served by Calodat, Vula places his head on Bordelet. Alone against the Sarthe attacker, the Mayenne goalkeeper won his duel.
42’- New important stop for Changé. At the start of the action, Bordelet kicks out a cross from Calodat. But the ball is still hanging around the edge of the area, and Keita unleashes a low shot from 20 meters. The Mayenne goalkeeper relaxes perfectly to intervene.
45+ 2’- On a cross from Oggad, Vula decides to control the ball, which gives time for Lemarié to deflect the volley from the Le Mans center forward out of the goal.
47' – 1-1: LE MANS EQUALIZER! On yet another cross from Calodat, Vula hit Perrot at the reception. A shock which benefited Rabillard. The Le Mans captain applied the flat of his foot to send his volley deep.
49' – 2-1: CHANGÉ TAKES THE ADVANTAGE BACK! Having just restarted the game, the Changéans battle to recover the leather in the heart of the game and succeed. Ernoux then inherits it at 25 meters and takes a shot. Deflected, the floating ball deceives Hatfout and falls into the net.
62' – Oggad, on a combination from a corner, unleashed a half-volley from distance, but Bordelet was not deceived by the rebound and warded off the danger.
64' – 2-2: RABILLARD EQUALIZES AGAIN! In a fairly similar action, where the Sarthe captain is alone at the far post after a fleeing cross, his first intention recovery ends up in the back of the net.
72' – 2-3: RABILLARD AGAIN DECISIVE! The captain of Le Mans opens the entire left wing thanks to a large bridge on Messager, and crosses to the ground. In the fight with Oggad, Leroy sends the ball into his own goal.
77’- From a corner, Messager's header at the near post brought the crowd to its feet. But the Changéen finds the small outside net of the Le Mans cage.
87' – 2-4: GUEYE SEALS THE LE MANS VICTORY! Well served by Calodat, Gueye goes deep and calmly fixes Bordelet before opening his foot to seal the victory at Le Mans with these two lengths in advance.
The technical sheet:
CHANGED (R1) – LE MANS (N1): 2-4 (1-0)
Referee: Mr. Cochais.
BUTS. Changed: Lhuissier (19'), Ernoux (49'); Le Mans: Rabillard (47', 64'), Leroy (72'csc), Gueye (87').
WARNINGS. Changed: ; Le Mans: Lamgahez (55'), Ouchen (55').
EXCLUSIONS. Changed: ; Le Mans: .
EXCHANGE : Bordelet – Messager, Perrot, Choplin, Lemarié, Leroy – Salmon (Bailleul, 76'), Legendre (Bouzaiene, 90'), Perrier (cap.) (Couvry, 90') – Lhuissier, Ernoux (Lambrouin, 56 '). Not entered: Quercy (g.).Coach : Marc Deniau.
LE MANS: Hatfout – Matumona Makanga, Lamgahez, Dekoke, Keita – Rabillard (cap.) (Yohou, 82'), Nonnenmacher (Bernardeau, 73'), Rossignol (Ouchen, 46') – Calodat, Vula (Gueye, Vula 61'), Oggad. Not entered: Delbecque (g.). Coach : Patrick Videira.
