Ligue 2 Review #16: Lorient new leaders after win over Paris FC
Match Reports
FC Lorient 2-0 Paris FC: Les Merlus beat league leaders to go top of Ligue 2
Olivier Pantaloni's FC Lorient grabbed a huge result this weekend, and one that has seen them lifted to the top of the league in the process. Les Merlus beat league leaders Paris FC convincingly at Stade de la Moustoir to earn a huge three points in the battle for promotion to Ligue 1. Julien Ponceau pounced with a tap-in after the 10-minute mark and was served brilliantly by Aiyegun to open the scoring for the Breton side (13'). PFC would struggle to get back into the game, as the hosts broke well on the counter-attack and almost doubled their lead just before half-time if it wasn't for an outstanding double-save from Obed Nkambadio.
It was Lorient who were good value for their lead, with a goalmouth scramble almost leading to their second of the game towards the hour-mark, but PFC's defence managed to clear their lines at the right moment. Nouh Dicko's strike then tested Mvogo, before Jean-Phillipe Krasso's header crashed on the crossbar in the closest chance for the away side in the second half. They wouldn't be helped when Vincent Marchetti was given his marching orders for a pull back on Katseris.
Les Merlus went on to double their lead in injury-time, this time it was substitute Sambou Soumano who stepped up to convert a penalty after Darlin Yongwa was fouled just inside the box. A vital three points which sees FCL go top of the league for the first time this season.
Dunkerque 3-1 Caen: Les Maritimes win to go back on the podium!
The feel-good story of the Ligue 2 BKT season continues to keep fighting at the top of the league. Dunkerque managed to see off a struggling Caen side to get themselves back in the promotion conversation with a 3-1 win at Stade Marcel Tribut on Monday evening. USLD's serial scorer Yacine Bammou managed to net following a goalless first half to put Dunkerque ahead in the contest (53'), before Vincent Sasso doubled the hosts' lead just over ten minutes later (65'). Caen managed to halve the deficit via Gabin Tomé (73'), but a penalty kick converted by Gaëtan Courdet late on (83') would kill-off the contest in favour of the side on the Northern coast of France.
WATCH: Yacine Bammou opens scoring for Dunkerque
Red Star 3-1 Grenoble: Les Audoniens climb out of the relegation zone
It was a celebration off the pitch between the two groups of supporters, but Red Star had no mercy on it, earning a vital win at Stade Bauer to climb outside the relegation zone ahead of the winter break. It took three goals in the first half for Red Star to see off the side from the Alps, despite a revolt led by former Red Star striker and Ligue 2 BKT top scorer Pape Meïssa Ba.
Hacène Benali opened the scoring with a sensational diving header (10'), as Grenoble keeper Mamadou Diop would be at fault six minutes later to flap at Kemo Cissé's rather tame shot as Red Star stormed to a two-goal lead (16'). Things got even better for L'Étoile Rouge, when Joachim Eickmayer popped up on the edge of the box with a sumptuous volley to score the hosts' third of the game. Former Red Star man and Ligue 2 BKT top scorer Pape Meïssa Ba would get one back in the second half for Grenoble (53'), but it wasn't enough as Red Star would go on to secure a vital victory in the race to stay in the division. For Grenoble it marked a fourth defeat in the last five games in Ligue 2, as GF38 fell to 12th in the table.
Elsewhere in Ligue 2:
- Troyes saw off bottom side Martigues 4-0 thanks to a brace from Irie and efforts from Adeline and Saïd. It's a vital win which has seen ESTAC rise to 13th in the league.
- Laval beat Amiens away from home to edge closer to those play-off spots. Titouan Thomas scored a stunner from range, whilst Mamadou Camara registered a brace for the Mayenne side.
- Clermont and Rodez played to a 1-1 draw, but the hosts dropped to 15th after wins for Troyes and Red Star.
Bastia got back to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Guingamp to rise to 9th in the table thanks to goals from Tomi, Cissé, and Maggiotti.
READ MORE:
>>Ligue 2 Review #15: Lorient, PFC, and Metz back to winning ways
