The Val d'Orge team finished the season at the top of group B of the D2 after their 3-1 win over Toulouse. A result synonymous with rising to the next level for the club of Essonne, which will discover the D1 for the first time in its history.


A few weeks ago, the Val d'Orge seemed already in position to ensure the rise, but three defeats in a row, two against direct opponents for the climb (Dijon, Grenoble) has questioned everything. Before entering this last game of the season, Val d'Orge only counted one point ahead of Dijon, and two Grenoble, who could mathematically hope to still seek the climb.


And if everything had been played in Metz ...


This little point ahead, it may be at this stop Pauline Benoist penalty, two weeks ago against ESAP Metz, while the Val d'Orge was led 1-0. A real turning point in this match finally won 2-1 by the players of the Essonne and perhaps in this season, because without these three points, it is probably Dijon who would be mounted in D1.


This is the kind of reversal of situation that make their effect on a team and a group because on this meeting against Toulouse, the doubts and wanderings of these last matches did not have their place on the ground. A last game of the season played in heavy heat, but that did not prevent the two teams to produce the game on the lawn of the stadium Auguste Gentelet Fleury.


From the first seconds, Camille Pecharman must come out of his area to intervene before Julie Machart part in the back of the defense on a ball deep. Moments later it is Marie-Pierre Castera who alerts Pauline Benoist. Served in the depth by Margot Robinne, Castera places a cross shot in the area that passes close to the right post of goal Essonne (3rd).


But in this first part of the game, it is the Val d'Orge that carries the danger in the opposite camp. Charlotte Fernandes twice tries her luck at the 20/25 meters (7th and 9th), attempts framed but which can seize Camille Pecharman. Julie Machart on her side sees her head close to the right corner of the TFC on a center coming from the right (8th).


Val d'Orge deploys its game


The Val d'Orge is more at ease in the construction of the game and it is logical that the opportunities are multiplying in the image of this powerful shot at 20 meters Julie Machart, fisted by the guardian of the TFC ( 21st).


It is on a new attempt at the edge of the surface that the attacker of Val d'Orge opens the score in the 28th minute. This time, she is slightly eccentric right side and places a cross shot that misleads Pecharman with the rebound and will lodge in the small opposite net. The counters are unlocked and the advantage is logically on the side of the leaders of the group B who put a first toe in D1.


A trend that is confirmed less than ten minutes later with a second goal in favor of Val d'Orge. A collective movement with the baton Danae Dunord who comes to rely on Julie Machart near the surface. The volley of the center forward Essonnienne in the race of Danae Dunord who appears in the surface against Camille Pecharman. The Val d'Orge midfielder then scored with a slightly stung ball to avoid the exit of the Toulouse goalkeeper (37th).


A goal that illustrates the role of Danae Dunord in this team, with this ability to accelerate the game in the middle by passing or accelerating the ball behind the attack trio with Céline Chatelain, Julie Machart and Charlotte Fernandes. More generally, the Val d'Orge midfielder was in control on this first period with Corinne Lebailly in front of the defense and Marine Coudon alongside Danae Dunord.


Despite a first period under control, the Val d'Orge sees Toulouse make up part of its delay before the break. It is Marie-Pierre Castera, best scorer of this group B who reduces the gap, managing to score a header. It extends in the surface a center of Margot Robinne came from the right, with a head lobe Pauline Benoist and ends in the small right net (44th).The quarter-hour Machart


Back in the locker room, the start of the second period is marked by the energy deployed by Julie Machart who repeatedly takes the game on his own and seek to quickly put his team away. It is also she who causes a free kick ideally placed at the entrance of the surface right side. She takes charge herself of the shoot and finds the head of Céline Chatelain at the second post which propels the ball in the nets Toulouse (52e).


With this goal, it is a highlight of the Val d'Orge opening. In the 56th minute, Céline Chatelain sees her volley in the deflected area of ​​the hand by Chloé Mouly, and the referee finally whistles. It is then Julie Machart who realizes a number of tightrope walker in the middle of the Toulouse defense, but the strike to follow of Danaé Dunord ends up in the arms of Camille Pecharman (60th). That of Marine Coudon two minutes later is she deviated for a corner by Mathilde Pilou.


The end of the match is then more balanced. If Julie Machart is close to scoring in the 73rd minute free-kick, Toulouse ends the meeting better. Pauline Benoist must push back a shooting center Soriana Constant (84) and Emilie Gonssollin sees his recovery of the head on a corner to hit the crossbar (86th). But the two goals of difference are there to reassure the players of Val d'Orge who manage to preserve their advantage until the end.


The Val d'Orge will discover the D1


At the final whistle, the joy invades the field and the stands for a club that will discover the D1 next season, alongside the neighbor Juvisy, a club by which they are many to be spent in the membership of the Val Barley. Personal stories like the sisters Butel, with Gwenaëlle author of a solid match in central defense with the Val d'Orge and Annaïg, player of the Juv 'who followed the meeting from the stands.


A climb that will go with changes for the Val d'Orge that will merge with the Fleury-Merogis club and be able to have a fixed stadium while until now, the team was training and playing these matches on different stages of the department. A reality that recalls the modesty of the club and the real feat constituted by this rise in the first division.


photo: Nelson Fatagraf