On the occasion of the third day of D1, VGA Saint-Maur received Nîmes at the Adolphe Chéron stadium, in a duel of promoted that was already essential for the maintenance. The Saint-Mauriennes clinched their first win of the season after a game dominated overall (3-1).

After two losses to OL (0-7) and Albi (4-2), Saint-Maur finally wanted to start from the front against another promoted, Nimes. The latter also had a difficult start to the season, with two defeats against Montpellier (0-7) and Lyon (9-0). In a meeting where both teams were looking for their first win of the season, the VGA is better in the game. Zouga by far (2nd), then Tizi on a nice action (6th) put pressure on the defense Nîmes. However, they do not find the fault and see the Nîmes react, Saulnier including seeking Delvallée, but the keeper remains flawless (10th). The VGA, which dominates since the kickoff, sees its domination pay. After a parade of Saez on a head of Moket (15th), Marlyse Ndoumbouk sends the ball deep in the net and allows his team to take the lead (17th, 1-0).

Moket even went close to doubling the lead in stride, his head ending on the crossbar (20th). The pace falls over the minutes but the VGA continues to manage and get opportunities 2-0, against Nîmes who struggle to get stock. At the half-hour mark, Ramos, playing at the edge of the offside, sees his shot go over (30th). Saint-Maur reacts on corner, but Saez remains solid on his line. We have to wait almost the break to see Nîmes get a ball of equalization. Part in the back of the defense, Ramos loses his face to face with Delvallée, well out (43). Solid, VGA Saint-Maur enters the locker room with only one goal in advance, despite a big domination and a plethora of opportunities.

The second period starts again as the first. The VGA dominates and even gets a huge opportunity to take off, but Marlyse Ndoumbouk fails to wrap up (50th). The Ile-de-France team is relaxing, however, leaving more space for the Nîmes. The latter will take the opportunity to pick up the score. On a corner, Marine Pervier deludes Delvallée after the latter has pushed his head (59th, 1-1). Trapped despite their grip on the match, the Saint-Mauriennes wake up and go forward.

The new entrant, Coralie Lenot, revitalizes the attack Yellow and Blue before allowing him to take the advantage. On a perfect service Ndoumbouk, who struggled to recover the ball, she cheats Saez closely (72nd, 2-1). Lenot even gets a huge 3-1 opportunity, but she misses a bit of volley (81st). Without consequence for the VGA against Nîmes exceeded. The latter concede even on the following action a penalty (82). Marlyse Ndoumbouk does not tremble to drive the nail in front of the 160 spectators stadium Chéron (83rd, 3-1). The hosts could have even aggravated the score at the end of the game but the Nîmes defense manages to repel the last assaults (90th).

The VGA Saint-Maur then wins 3-1 against Nîmes Métropole Gard and goes back to 8th place in the standings. The Saint-Mauriennes give themselves air after this win at home while Nîmes does not arrive and remains stuck at the bottom of the rankings with Roche and Guingamp, the only teams having conceded three defeats in three games. After the international break, the Nîmes will try to revive at home against Guingamp while Saint-Maur will want to confirm and get a result on the lawn of Juvisy.

Photo credit: Nelson Fatagraf