U18 World League

Claude François
Spectators: 7733 (Terracing: 5801, Seating: 1778, VIP seats: 154) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Bart Lyon made the kick off which started today's match. A collision led to Rathmore Lime Tree getting a freekick after 10 minutes play. Gabin Lièvin hit a great ball. 16 minutes into the match, Alexandrie CF's goal looked a bit too open when Ramzi Roulleau came free, but Renaud Berthier reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Flavian Garcon during the 22nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Flavian Garcon hit a great freekick 22 minutes into the match. When Léon Renouard came up free with the goalie in the 24th minute, the Alexandrie CF fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Léon Renouard couldn't finish the play. Rathmore Lime Tree's Alix Geoffray played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Modeste Buisine in the 28th minute of play. After some careless play in the Alexandrie CF defense, Ramzi Roulleau kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Renaud Berthier. The Alexandrie CF fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Renaud Berthier should have stopped the shot. Alix Geoffray made a fantastic save in the 38th minute, when Léon Renouard sent off a good shot on target. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Gabin Lièvin during the 40th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 40 played minutes Rathmore Lime Tree got a freekick which was hit by Gabin Lièvin. In the 41st minute the ball was on its way in behind Rathmore Lime Tree's goalkeeper Alix Geoffray, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Alexandrie CF were awarded a corner in the 43th minute after Rathmore Lime Tree's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Frédéric Febvre took the corner. The corner led Alexandrie CF's Frédéric Febvre to fire away a dangerous shot which Alix Geoffray despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. When Léon Renouard fell near the penalty area in the 45th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Alexandrie CF's protests and gave Léon Renouard a yellow card for diving instead. Léon Renouard kicked well hit freekick during the 45th minute of the match. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 0-1.

Renaud Berthier came out of the goal in the 56th minute to try and stop a shot by Rathmore Lime Tree's Ramzi Roulleau. But to his dismay, Ramzi Roulleau quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-2. Gabin Lièvin was astounded when the referee showed him the red card after a seemingly innocent challenge, 60 minutes into the match. After 60 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Rathmore Lime Tree! In the 64th minute Alexandrie CF were awarded a corner. Frédéric Febvre went to the cornerflag to take it. A well-hit corner resulted in Modeste Buisine heading the ball towards the goal, but to his dismay he misdirected it and missed the goal completely. Renaud Berthier showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Flavian Garcon in the 67th minute of the match. Rathmore Lime Tree's Alix Geoffray played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Bakary Galet in the 71st minute of play. After 74 minutes, Bakary Galet made it 1-2 with a short kick to the right side. Rathmore Lime Tree's Alix Geoffray tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Modeste Buisine in the 80th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Alix Geoffray prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Alexandrie CF's Renaud Berthier proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 84th minute of the match, managed to save Alexandrie CF from getting a goal against them. The supporters of Alexandrie CF booed when Rathmore Lime Tree was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 84 match minutes in a wonderful position. Paul-Émile Brien didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 85 minutes, Bakary Galet made it 2-2 with a short kick to the right side. Rathmore Lime Tree's Alix Geoffray tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Renaud Berthier showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Flavian Garcon, who was totally free with the ball in the 89th minute. Alix Geoffray took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Bakary Galet, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 97th minute, Flavian Garcon ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Renaud Berthier was frozen by the shot and now it was 2-3. The Alexandrie CF manager could be seen shouting at his players as they walked down the tunnel after the match. He was clearly angry that they had squandered their superior possession, allowing Rathmore Lime Tree to win.