CO Le Puy almost looked like a bête noire for Montpellier in the mid-1980s. While the two teams had faced each other four times in the space of a year (from November 1984 to November 1985), the Ponots presented a record of two wins for two draws against this ogre of the second division.
Lafayette is full
In November 1984, Le Puy had just been promoted to D2, when it was to host Montpellier at the Lafayette stadium. In its ranks, the Hérault club could count on Jean-Pierre Orts, scorer more than 180 times in D2. Above all, there was a certain Laurent Blanc. Long before becoming world champion or coach of the Blues, he had just celebrated his 19th birthday and was emerging as a great hope in French Football. The arrival of these talented players had aroused the curiosity of Vellave supporters. The COP recorded 104,930 francs in revenue, representing more than 3,500 spectators.
Led by a great Jean-Jacques N’Domba, the Ponots won by the smallest of margins (1-0). Hugo Bargas converted a penalty caused by Jean-Luc Lemonnier in the 25th minute. During the return match, in April 1985, the Ponots came close to the feat, at the Mosson stadium. Despite the opener from Jean-Pierre Orts (17th), they took control of this match at the start of the second half, thanks to a double from Carlos Acosta (47th and 66th).
In front of a great colony of copyist supporters, Pierre-Yves Thomas’ partners have long thought of becoming the first to win at Mosson during this 1984-1985 season. It was without counting on the equalizer (2-2) from Laurent Blanc, at the last minute, from a corner.
A ponot success on the snow
A few months later, at the end of July 1985, Altiligériens and Héraultais met again at the Mosson stadium. Here again, the two teams could not decide between themselves and the match ended with a score of 2-2.
It was especially the return match, at the end of November 1985, which had left its mark. That day, Lafayette Stadium was covered in a thick layer of snow. In these difficult conditions, the COP got the better of Montpellier (2-1), thanks to goals from Jean-Jacques Corroyer (22nd) and Carlos Acosta (50th), despite the reduction in the gap from Kader (65th) , served on a platter by Laurent Blanc.
The paths of the two clubs have separated
During this 1985-1986 season, Ponot football reached its peak with a seventh place in D2, after a resounding start to the season and a leading position during the first days. But the paths to Puy and Montpellier quickly separated. The club chaired by Louis Nicollin, at the time, returned to the elite the following season, in 1987, while the COP was relegated to D3 in 1989.
Three divisions now separate Le Puy from Montpellier, but the hierarchy could well be called into question on Saturday evening, during the 32nd final of the Coupe de France between the two teams.
Le Puy played a 32nd in Montpellier in 1967
At the start of 1967, Le Puy played in the 32nd final of the Coupe de France in Montpellier, losing 2-0 against Sète.
In January 1967, the Ponots seemed to have a great opportunity to qualify for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. They had to face Sète, residents of the fifth division, while they were playing at the higher level.
In front of 8,000 people
But the Vellaves were surprised by the atmosphere of this 32nd final which was played in Montpellier in front of 8,000 people. Some Ponot supporters were present and recognizable thanks to their red and black caps. They were also called “lentil merchants” by their Hérault counterparts.
But on the field as in the stands, the Sétois won the match quite easily. They won with a score of 2-0, with a goal at the start of each half. After the victory, Moreno, defender of Sète, declared: “Le Puy did not impress me. Here, he would not be leader, even in the fifth division. The level of football must be lower in your region.”
Montpellier has already played a round of 32 at the Massot stadium
On March 13, 1988, Montpellier beat Aurillac 3-0, in the 32nd final of the Coupe de France, at Puy-en-Velay.
At the time, these rounds were played on neutral ground. It was therefore decided that this 32nd final would be played at the Massot du Puy stadium. Without shining too much, Montpellier (D1) had enforced logic, as the overwhelming favorite, against Aurillac (D4). The Héraultais opened the scoring through Thierry Laurey in the 25th minute. They then delayed taking shelter.
Finally, Cameroonian Roger Milla made the break in the 87th minute. Before Jean-Michel Guédé buried his neck, in the process, with the goal of 3-0. Thirty-six years later, Montpellier will play a new round of 32 of the Coupe de France, at the Massot stadium.
