As part of the Coupe de France 32nd finals, VGA Saint-Maur hosted Nancy for their first match of the year 2016. A meeting that turned in favor of the hosts, who find the smile at the beginning of the year.

We had left them badly in the hard after their defeat at home against Albi (1-3). Those who occupy for the moment the 11th place of the championship have moreover seen three of their players leave during this transfer window of winter: Cindy Ferreira, on loan at West Ham, Francine Zouga, but also Marlyse Ngo Ndoumbouk, the best scorer of the club since the beginning of the season. At home, the Saint-Mauriennes have however enjoy the Coupe de France to restore health. Against Nancy, whom they had beaten twice last season in D2 (3-2), as well as friendly early in the season (6-1), they showed mental resources that could prove valuable for the rest of the season. In the beginning, the Yellow and Blue impose their superiority.

They put pressure on the Nancy cages but the defense is long very solid, as well as the guardian, Romane Munich, author of a beautiful performance today. She made a first stop on a shot in the area of ​​Coralie Lenot (12th). Dominated, Nancy tries to find spaces in against but butte also on the defense Saint-Maurienne. The match remains disputed, the VGA procuring the best opportunities. Lenot still places two beautiful strikes, but each time sees Munich intervene, the latter slamming including a clear shot that went into the left corner (25th). In the wake, Lilia Boumrar also gets a huge opportunity to open the scoring, his lob passing just above the cages (27th). By dint of spoiling, Saint-Maur exposes itself to a goal of the visitors. The latter put a cold in the defense when the shot without control of Leokombo flirting with the amount of Melody Square (35th). The score remains there however at the break, the VGA failing to break the lock and to deceive the vigilance of Munich.

The second period starts again as the first. Nancy resists the assaults of Franciliennes, who are getting closer and closer to the goal over the minutes. And if the shot of Tizi does not fly, the next will be good. On an overflow left side, Boumrar leaves no chance in Munich by placing a magnificent lob that the goalkeeper can only touch, unable to divert (62nd, 1-0). A goal that finally releases the Saint-Mauriennes, who are quick to double the stake. Following a strike by Melissa Gomes, just back, Munich pushes the ball but sees Lenot, who had followed, finish the job closely (64th, 2-0). Two goals in a row that stun the Nancéiennes. The latter had just seen their new recruit, Marlyse Ngo Ndoumbouk, return to his former club.

But the Cameroonian international can not make the difference in this meeting, well muzzled by the central defense of the VGA. It is even the Ile-de-France club that comes to complete this success in the last quarter of an hour. On a corner from the right, Céline Chatelain, returned to the place of Lenot following the second goal, resumed the volley ball after a surrender of the head of Leila Meflah (76th, 3-0). A volley that drives a little more Lorraines, the latter still suffering in the last minutes. Munich, however, continues to make a great match, stopping reflexively foot on a head of Meflah (82), before slamming a shot from Boumrar (84). It prevents a larger disappointment, the score does not move until the final whistle.

Victory 3-0 so for the VGA Saint-Maur against the AS Nancy-Lorraine, the second this season for the Franciliennes in official match. The latter have, for the first time this season, conceded no goal. A convincing success that will give morale to the Saint-Mauriennes, in addition to qualifying them for the 16th round of the Coupe de France. The crisis and the difficulties of December seem to be behind them if we had their match and their declarations. It will however confirm this good performance next week in the league, Nimes. Nancy sees her road stop here and will have to quickly focus on the championship as the club is looking for support. New decisive step to get Sunday against Rouvroy.

The post-match reactions:

Frédéric Biancalani (Nancy coach): "I am disappointed with the result, even though the deadline has been delayed, there has been too much complacency and mistakes that are costing us a lot, so it is difficult to pass this round. We need to use this first period to improve teamwork, which is a good preparation for next week's match. "

Photo credit: Nelson Fatagraf