Penultimate day of the first leg, we are getting closer to the truce in D2, and the games seem largely open in both groups. The good series continues for Arras in the wake of FC Metz, while Yzeure wins in a group B still led by Dijon and Grenoble. Lorient has signed his first victory and is reviving for maintenance.


Group A - Reims gets on the podium


Arras confirmed its upward curve with a win over Saint-Malo. In a meeting between the second and third of the group, it was the Northerners who won, consolidating their second place and their series of unbeaten. A 4-0 win for Arras with two quarter-hour goals scored one after the other by Loreen Herbet (15th) and Amélie Coquet (17th). An advantage to the score that will be accentuated with the return of the locker room with goals from Audrey Tabary (64th) and Andréa Prette at the end of the game (90th).

This victory also brings Saint-Malo out of the podium, the Breton players who see the Stade de Reims take third place. The Rémoises also won this weekend on the lawn of Le Mans (0-2), a game where the difference was made after the break thanks to goals from Melissa Gomes (62) and Margaux Dautun who finds the way of the nets a few moments after its entry into play (76th).

Reims has a second good result on the outside after a draw on FC Metz's pitch the previous weekend. The Messines well installed at the head of this group A have found the victory on the lawn of Angers. A game played, where the victory is slow to emerge for the leaders, a pattern that is found from week to week despite the lead in the ranking.

FC Metz finally won (0-2) thanks to two goals scored by Valerie Sanderson in the last ten minutes of play. Entered in the second half, the Canadian striker allows the Lorraines to take advantage with the complicity of Ipek Kaya (81st) and Justine Rougemont (88th), she also entered the break. Following this success, Metz keeps four points ahead of Arras, and seven at Stade de Reims, third.


A good dynamic for Brest and Lorient


In the bottom of the table, the trend is confirmed for Stade Brestois who won (0-1) on the lawn of La Roche-sur-Yon. A time in the red zone, the players of Finistère chained their second victory after that obtained at home against Angers. It was Anaïs Ribeyra who made the Yonnais nets tremble on a counter in the 71st minute, a goal and three points that allowed Brest to temporarily move away from the relegation zone.

Another team to look up, FC Lorient who won his first victory this season at the expense of FF Issy (1-0). The goal Lorient was scored from the first moments of the match by Catherine Mbengono, a center Oceane Ezano (2nd). A goal enough to win, even if Lorient hit several times on the amounts in the second half. And if they remain last in the standings, Morbihan players have scored four of their five points on the last two games and now return to Le Mans and three points FF Issy.

Lorient and Brest will meet again early December for the last day before the truce. A match that could be important in the race to maintain.

Also this weekend, the VGA Saint-Maur won in Normandy on the lawn of FC Rouen (1-3). A meeting where the Rouennaises opened the score early in the game by Marie Desplanques (13th) before being raised to the score.

The Val-de-Marne players managed to equalize by Océane Albon in the 25th minute before taking the lead in the second half. It is first Assia Gayme who gives the advantage to Saint-Maur's head on corner (55th). Then in the last quarter of an hour, it is the three players coming into play on the side of the VGA who contribute to the victory of their team, with the conclusion of a center of Audrey Duranty for Fiona Le Callet which allows the women of break (79th). With this victory, Saint-Maur is now sixth in the standings, just ahead of their opponents of the day.


Group B - Yzeure (slightly) off the table


The cards continue to redistribute in Group B, where Yzeure probably did the wrong thing at the weekend. Co-leader, two days ago, the players of the Allier are now six points behind the leaders after their defeat at home against Nancy (0-3). A top-of-the-table duel that promised a stall to the team that would bow Saturday night in Yzeure.

And in this game, it is Nancy who pulled out with a new double of Marlyse Ngo Ndoumbouk in the first period. Nancy who imposed a physical challenge at all times, not hesitating to be rough in the duels, but who also knew Still undefeated, Potsdam remains four points behind the leading quartet, and tied for points with Hoffenheim, the next opponent of Svenja Huth's team-mates.