Ligue 2 Review #13: Lorient win Breton Derby to close in on Paris FC
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Lorient 3-1 Guingamp: Les Merlus win all-Breton clash
Promotion chasers Lorient earned the bragging rights in the latest edition of the Ligue 2 Breton Derby, this time against play-off chasers EAG Guingamp at Stade de la Moustoir. Panos Katseris opened the scoring with a poked volley from inside the box which nestled into the side-netting early on (8'). Aiyegun Tosin effectively doubled the lead for Les Merlus with a domineering header that rattled the cross-bar but bounced off Guingamp keeper Enzo Basilio into the back of the net for an own goal (41').
WATCH: Katseris scores sumptuous volley
L'EAG fought back in the game, scoring from the penalty spot via Dylian Louisere just before the hour mark (57'). But the hosts effectively killed off the game with a third goal, Sambou Soumano converting confidently via the penalty spot in the second half (68'). It's an important victory for Lorient, who now sit just three points behind league leaders Paris FC.
Rodez 5-1 Annecy: Rodez thrash 3rd-placed Annecy
Ligue 2 has once again shown it is a division full of surprises, and it was Rodez who were once again involved in a six-goal thriller. This time, as opposed to their draws against Paris FC and Laval, they fall on the right side of the result heavily in their favour.
Trévis Dago opened the scoring for the away side, as it was looking like another difficult game for the 15th-placed hosts (3'). But Ahmed Kashi's own goal saw RAF back into the game not too long later (35'), before Timothé Nkada's effort saw the home side turn the game on its head.
The second half saw three more goals to kill off the game for Rodez, with Ibrahima Balde being assisted by Noah Cadiou (68'). Timothé Nkada grabbed his brace with a goal only two minutes later (68'), before Mohamed Bouchouari's free-kick went straight in to cap-off a brilliant result for the Aveyron-based outfit.
MOMENT OF THE WEEK: METz-ball in full flow
Gauthier Hein's strike was enough to get all three points for Metz against Caen, and it was a well-worked move on the edge of the box with a stuning finish to match.
Elsewhere in Ligue 2:
- Metz grabbed a 1-0 win over Caen to solidify their spot in the Ligue 2 play-offs, Guathier Hein scoring the solitary goal for Les Grenats.
- Pau held Ligue 2 leaders Paris FC to a goalless draw at the Noust Camp which gave the opportunity for Lorient to go within three points in second place.
- Troyes dominated Red Star at Stade Bauer to claw themselves level with AC Ajaccio just outside the relegation spots. Ripart (45'+1), Assomou (89') and Dong (90'+3) grabbed the goals for l'ESTAC.
- Dunkerque secured their second win on the bounce to consolidate their play-off ambitions with Enzo Bardeli scoring the decisive goal (67').
Midtable Laval and Bastia played to a 2-2 draw which has put both sides four points away from the play-offs. Camara (30') and Tchokounté (65') scored for Laval, with a Kokolo own goal (14') and a last-gasp equaliser from Tomi (90+4) seeing Bastia grab a point.
After two losses, Martigues managed to grab a draw against Amiens, but they would see it as two points dropped after leading for most of the game after Amraoui's penalty (34'). Leautey grabbed the equaliser for Amiens (67').
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