U23 League

XMAS park
Spectators: 158 (Terracing: 119, Seating: 36, VIP seats: 3) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Karim Cosme took the kick off in the first half of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Karim Cosme in the 6th minute of play forced XMAS's goalkeeper Dennis Urbani to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Rathmore Lime Tree were awarded a corner in the 7th minute after XMAS's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Jim Belloir took the corner. The corner ended in Jim Belloir almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but XMAS's Dennis Urbani did a great save. After 13 played minutes XMAS got a freekick which was hit by Alessandro Vettori. In the 14th minute, Adil Magaud got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. After some careless play in the XMAS defense, Karim Cosme kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Dennis Urbani. The XMAS fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Dennis Urbani should have stopped the shot. If Adil Magaud had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 23rd minute, Alessandro Vettori hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Rathmore Lime Tree's Adil Magaud in the 27th minute got a chance for a shot 27th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye XMAS's goalie prevented a goal. 28 minutes into the match, Rathmore Lime Tree's Adil Magaud sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Dennis Urbani narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 31 minutes, Adil Magaud made it 0-3 with a short kick to the right side. XMAS's Dennis Urbani tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Dennis Urbani showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Karim Cosme in the 35th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Enzo Alfonsi in the 37th minute of play forced Rathmore Lime Tree's goalkeeper Sofyane Valognes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 39th minute Karim Cosme shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dennis Urbani saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 45 minutes in the game Alessandro Vettori did a throw-in, and the ball was quickly in game thanks to Angelo Pallotta. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-3.

Rathmore Lime Tree made a substitution. Georges Labarthe replaced Paul-Henri Gayraud. The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Ennio De Nardis was the one to do the kick off. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ennio De Nardis in the 52nd minute of play forced Rathmore Lime Tree's goalkeeper Sofyane Valognes to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Karim Cosme in the 60th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dennis Urbani saved XMAS from getting behind. Sofyane Valognes came out of the goal in the 62nd minute to try and stop a shot by XMAS's Enzo Alfonsi. But to his dismay, Enzo Alfonsi quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-3. Rathmore Lime Tree made a substitution. Fernand Rouland replaced Karim Cosme. In the 67th match minute, XMAS was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Enzo Alfonsi to maneuver through the defense. Adil Magaud could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 68th minute of the match, but Dennis Urbani made a huge save. A collision led to XMAS getting a freekick after 68 minutes play. Fabrizio Eboli hit a great ball. Rathmore Lime Tree's Sofyane Valognes played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ennio De Nardis in the 73rd minute of play. Dennis Urbani showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Fernand Rouland, who was totally free with the ball in the 74th minute. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Bilal Hédin during the 76th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Rathmore Lime Tree getting a freekick after 76 minutes play. Bilal Hédin hit a great ball. After 77 played minutes Rathmore Lime Tree got a freekick which was hit by Hervé Annette. Alessandro Vettori recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 78th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Dennis Urbani made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Fernand Rouland in the 86th minute of play. 89 minutes into the game, Fernand Rouland was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Rathmore Lime Tree's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave XMAS the free kick. 93 minutes into the match, Rathmore Lime Tree's goal looked a bit too open when Ennio De Nardis came free, but Sofyane Valognes reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Rathmore Lime Tree had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.