Petit Poucet Marmandais falls from a height in front of Le Mans

The fairy tale did not have a “happy ending”. The Marmandais were defeated this Sunday, December 22, by the Manceaux. Without any discussion. The four divisions difference at kick-off were prohibitive between the amateurs of Regional 2 and the pros of National, the third French division. Already trailing by four goals at the break (0-4), the continuation confirmed the first 45 minutes with the Le Mans tip Arnold Vula who scored the hat-trick (36^e50^e54^e) extinguishing any hope of a comeback on the Marmandais side.

“You have to know how to show humility. Today the step was too high”

Beyond the physical gap, the quagmire of Dartiailh seemed to play very bad tricks on the Lot-et-Garonnais who were unable to tame the lush turf of their fellow rugby players. And who sign the biggest “card” (0-7) received by one of the 64 teams involved in these 32^es of final.

Marmande never gave up

“You have to know how to show humility. Today the step was too high. I spoke of an Everest, I spoke of David and Goliath, we saw it during this meeting played in conditions that were not easy, summarized the co-president of FC Marmande, Lyazid Bahlali. We came up against a very good team who respected us, who took the match seriously, and the score is clear. There is no bitterness, no disappointment for me. There is just pride in having reached this level. »

From the kick-off, the Manceaux demonstrated a technical mastery which would allow them to cut the Marmandais block in two. The two local arrows, Daouda Diallo and Unity Ewelike, found themselves too often alone in their races. Rushes (15^e23^e) who gave nothing while Le Mans “respected” his opponent by being realistic. 0-1 (5^e), 0-2 (10^e), 0-3 (33^e) et 0-4 (36^e): twice at the start and end of the first period, the Sarthois took care of making the game easy. Marmande conceded, in just over 30 minutes, as many goals as during his entire start to the championship in R2.

If it wasn't the evening of the defenders, that of the Congolese international goalkeeper Baba Tchagouni who, in the end, conceded 7 goals, could not have been easy. But his parades in the second act prevented the rout. Arnold Vula securing his hat-trick, the right piston Matumona was responsible for adding to the final score (0-7, 83^e). The FCM did not succeed in breaking the brand but still honored a Marmand audience who, with more than 3,500 fans, swept away the previous record established more than 20 years ago during the 8^ᵉ Coupe de France round in this same den.

“I continue to say that Marmande is a very good team, it has the level of N3”

Heading to R1?

Yesterday's heroes, Jérôme Lebouc, Basila Mokili-Yenga and Bertrand Tunica who stood up to the TFC pros (1-1) to lose on penalties (3-4), were able to appreciate the combativeness of a Daouda Diallo who, by switching to the right side with his counterpart Lother, disrupted the Le Mans defense. Its understanding with Unity Ewelike is no longer in doubt, enough to arouse the praise of the Sarthe coach, Patrick Videira: “I continue to say that Marmande is a very good team. It's a team that has the level of N3 with players who are capable of going very quickly. »

This capacity for projection, this desire to bounce back, the FCM will have to implement them after a well-deserved truce. The return to competition will take place on Saturday January 11 on the pitch of SU Agen Foot to defend its undefeated position in Regional 2. “We will continue to work to have a good run in the championship and try to get this rise to Regional 1,” concluded Lot-et-Garonnais captain and central defender, Mayverick Compper.