U23 League

Dragons Nest
Spectators: 161 (Terracing: 121, Seating: 37, VIP seats: 3) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Ibrahim Chapalain started the match with the kick off. The audience thought a goal was coming when Martin Mangion got free with Régis Bastian in the 2nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Thanks to some nice moves Martin Mangion could shoot a difficult shot in the 3rd minute, which Régis Bastian however easily saved by the left post. In the 5th minute Rodrigue Davoust shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marcelo Severiano saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After some fancy dribbling in the 9th minute, Martin Mangion managed to get in a good position for a shot. Sliema Dragons FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Martin Mangion was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Régis Bastian breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. An unexpectedly hard shot by Yvan Sabathe in the 16th minute of play forced Sliema Dragons FC's goalkeeper Marcelo Severiano to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Yvan Sabathe took the ball and in the 17 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Marcelo Severiano. Marcelo Severiano dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. Marcelo Severiano showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ibrahim Chapalain in the 24th minute of the match. After 26 minutes Sliema Dragons FC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Jean-Pascal Berthelot who took care of the corner kick. After 28 minutes, Hugon Debowski mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Sliema Dragons FC and the Les Pionniers de Touraine players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 28th minute, Hugon Debowski hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Marcelo Severiano came out of the goal in the 29th minute to try and stop a shot by Les Pionniers de Touraine's Ibrahim Chapalain. But to his dismay, Ibrahim Chapalain quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-2. The supporters of Sliema Dragons FC booed when Les Pionniers de Touraine was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 32 match minutes in a wonderful position. Yvan Sabathe didn't get a good kick on the ball. Sliema Dragons FC's Julian Savona got a good chance for a goal in the 36th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Les Pionniers de Touraine's Régis Bastian played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Martin Mangion in the 38th minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Martin Mangion got free with Régis Bastian in the 40th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Régis Bastian made a fantastic save in the 43rd minute, when Martin Mangion sent off a good shot on target. Martin Mangion kicked well hit freekick during the 46th minute of the match. After the first half Les Pionniers de Touraine were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Martin Mangion made a kick off. In the 53rd minute Martin Mangion shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Régis Bastian saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 54 minutes into the game, Leo Scalpello was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Sliema Dragons FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Les Pionniers de Touraine the free kick. After 55 played minutes Sliema Dragons FC got a freekick which was hit by Leo Scalpello. 58 minutes into the match, Sliema Dragons FC's goal looked a bit too open when Rodrigue Davoust came free, but Marcelo Severiano reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Isaac Grimaud sent away a hard shot on goal in the 60th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Régis Bastian showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Julian Savona in the 67th minute of the match. When Sliema Dragons FC's Martin Mangion in the 67th minute got a chance for a shot 67th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Les Pionniers de Touraine's goalie prevented a goal. In the 69th minute Sliema Dragons FC were awarded a corner. Julian Savona went to the cornerflag to take it. A nice corner shot did that Julian Savona got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Régis Bastian quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. Régis Bastian took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Isaac Grimaud, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Martin Mangion in the 74th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Régis Bastian saved Les Pionniers de Touraine from getting behind. Rodrigue Davousts short, quick shot in the 82ndth minute got Marcelo Severiano to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. 87 minutes into the game, Rodrigue Davoust cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-3. Marcelo Severiano was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 95th minute, Martin Mangion left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Sliema Dragons FC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-3. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Les Pionniers de Touraine walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.