League Play-Off

Stade Montpellier
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Gilles Gravier made the kick off and thus started the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joris Barriere in the 2nd minute of play forced Montpellier's goalkeeper Thomas Galland to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 4th match minute, Villate was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Joel Bourret to maneuver through the defense. Francois-Xavier Alavoine's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Jeremy Rateau read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 10th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Montpellier's zone, Joris Barriere stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Thomas Galland came out of the goal and Joris Barriere tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 13th match minute, Villate was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Remi Massiot to maneuver through the defense. In the 15th minute of the match, Gilles Gravier tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Jeremy Rateau saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Francois-Xavier Alavoine's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 18thth minute, Jeremy Rateau skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Gilles Gravier was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 20th minute. Montpellier's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. If Joris Barriere had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 33 minutes into the match, Villate's goalkeeper Jeremy Rateau had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Francois-Xavier Alavoine. 35 minutes into the match, Joris Barriere notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Montpellier's Thomas Galland. Thomas Galland was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After recieving a nice pass, Montpellier's Reynald Negre tried to score from far away in the 40th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. After 43 minutes of play, Montpellier's Francois-Xavier Alavoine made it 1-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Jeremy Rateau was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 47th minute, Lionel Le Moigne ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Thomas Galland was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-2.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Lionel Le Moigne stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. The supporters of Villate booed when Montpellier was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 53 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gilles Gravier didn't get a good kick on the ball. Thomas Galland made an important save on a dangerous shot by Joris Barriere in the 57th minute. A collision led to Montpellier getting a freekick after 58 minutes play. Felicien Jouffroy hit a great ball. After having played for 59 minutes, Joris Barriere managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Villate's supporters crossed their fingers, but Joris Barriere was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Lionel Le Moigne recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 61st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If Francois-Xavier Alavoine had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 64th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Thomas Galland showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Lionel Le Moigne in the 69th minute of the match. Gilles Gravier received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 75th minute. Jeremy Rateau tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Montpellier's Thomas Galland played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lionel Le Moigne in the 82nd minute of play. When Felicien Jouffroy fell near the penalty area in the 86th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Montpellier's protests and gave Felicien Jouffroy a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Villate booed when Montpellier was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 86 match minutes in a wonderful position. Felicien Jouffroy didn't get a good kick on the ball. Montpellier's Thomas Galland played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lionel Le Moigne in the 88th minute of play. Lionel Le Moigne sent away a hard shot on goal in the 92nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The Villate supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Villate would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.