For this 6th day of D1, Nîmes lost at home against Saint-Etienne (1-2) and sinks a little more in the relegation zone. After being neutralized for 45 minutes, both teams scored in the second period and it is in favor of the Vertes that the wind has definitely turned.

A victory, to catch his breath
Do you know what was the common point between Nîmes and Saint-Etienne before this meeting? These 2 teams had not won a single match since the beginning of the season, result they were painfully pointing to the last 2 places in the standings. If a draw could have fixed everyone, a victory would have done the business of only one of the two formations!

Before the kickoff, Gilles Agniel, co-coach of Nîmes, confided to us that the absence of some key players, part with the military selection in South Korea, would be an additional handicap. Add to that the many difficulties of a club promoted to find its place among the elite and you have a glimpse of the state of mind in which the Nimes were before the kickoff. Since the surprise draw against Juvisy (J1), the Amazons would like to find the road to success after his short defeats against Rodez, Soyaux and Montpellier ...

From the first minutes of play, the Stephanoises will talk about their experience and test the opposing defense, but not very dangerous around the cages of Noémie Cuberes. The heart of the battle is in the midfield, with a slight advantage for the ASSE. Contrary to what one could fear, Nîmes resisted the assaults and even ended up obtaining opportunities. However, at the end of the first 45 minutes, the score is still 0-0 and the teams return to the locker room with the desire to do much better in the 2nd period.

It is also the same desire that will really make the difference between the 2 formations! A few minutes from the end of half-time, the players from Saint-Etienne meet in the middle of the field to discuss. If this wind of revolt is not immediately noticeable at the kickoff, it is at 73 'when Rose Lavaud opens the scoring on an error of the goalkeeper Nîmes (0-1). It's cruel, the latter crosses the line trying to stop the shot of the attacking Stephanoise ... What wake up "Sabrina Oumeur's" killer instinct, which ideally placed on a corner, allows his team to return to the score (1-1). Yes, but ... Some decisions of the referee body will annoy the 22 actresses of the meeting and the mistakes multiply.
A simple mistake of vigilance in the last seconds of the match allows Maéva Clemaron to score (90 '- 1-2) and offer a 1st win to ASSE.

Photo credit: ASSE