Blois Foot would have deserved better

Blois Foot 41: 1
Saint-Malo: 1

There was no early Christmas present for Blois Foot 41. Faced with a solid and disciplined Saint-Malo team, Blois nevertheless delivered a quality performance, particularly in the first half and could have win without a mistake after returning from the locker room.

Frustrating but also reassuring in view of the content proposed by the Blésois a week after the slap received in Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Hilaire.

“I don’t think there is a team that has moved Saint-Malo so much this season”

“I told the players I was proud of them. I don't think there is a team that has moved Saint-Malo so much this season. It was a high level match, soulignait Cédric Hengbart. Now, we are giving a gift and when we want to play for the top of the table, we must not give away a goal like that. We put so much effort into opening the brand and in the end, we waste everything on a single action. »

The act of play in question occurs shortly after the restart. On a Saint-Malo corner, Léopold Lemaitre comes out and deflects the ball. A mix-up between two defenders ensues and a poor clearance returns to the head of Guillaume Heinry who equalizes (48^e). Everything has to be done again for the BF who had nevertheless done what was necessary to take control.

After a first quarter of an hour of observation, the Reds had little by little got their hands on the match. A cross from Kryss Chapelle found Hugo Reulier whose shot was saved on the line by the Breton defense (17^e) ; Thibault Relange (28^e) then N'Famara Diaby (31^e) were also pressing while Saint-Malo tried in vain to find their striker Raphaël Gerbeaud (7 goals).

The deliverance came just before the break. Ideally launched by Hugo Reulier, N'Famara Diaby showed composure to twice hook a defender and the Saint-Malo goalkeeper before opening the scoring (44^e). A fair reward, unfortunately quickly thwarted upon returning from the locker room.

Blois finishes better

Hit but not sunk after the equalizer, the Blésois were going to prove dangerous again with volleys signed by Hugo Reulier (57^e) and David Lopez (82^e). Blois Foot finished better but without being able to find the opening again.

“In the end, given the state of the pitch, it was more long balls, but I find that overall, we respected the game plan which was to maintain possession down low with our defenders, to put the full-backs very high and finding balls behind the backs of their central defenders, which allowed us to have chances. I think that in this match, we are far ahead of them (in number of occasions). »

In the standings, however, Saint-Malo still has 32 points, 12 more than Blois Foot. But by repeating this type of performance in 2025, the Blésois club should quickly unlock its counter.

Referee: M. Gazon.
Half time: 1-0.
Buts : for Blois, Diaby (44^e) ; for Saint-Malo (49^ecsc).
Warnings: in Blois, Marie Louise (74^e) ; in Saint-Malo, Cillard (14^e) ;
Blois Foot 41: Lemaitre (cap.) – Relange, Mouniama Coupan, Marie Louise, Lopez, Chapelle, Ben Nasr, Sommer, Reulier (Belkaious, 76^e), Diaby (Ngassaki, 68^e), Fiquet (Mabekondiasson, 60^e). Ent. : C. Hengbart.
Saint-Malo: Cisse – Daury (Abasq, 87^e), Heinry (Barroug, 51^e), Gerbeaud, Duponchelle, Duclovel, Leroyer (Taipa, 63^e), Cottereau, Cillard, Daillet (cap.), Milon. Ent. : G. Corbin.