The Lions add to Plaisance’s woes |06 May 2016

Cascade-based The Lions added to Plaisance’s woes this season with a 3-0 victory over the 2015 Barclays league division two champions at Stad Linite on Wednesday afternoon in a top flight fixture.

The Lions had to re-adjust their defence as a result of suspension but they got off to a bright start as they broke the deadlock as early as the 5th minute.

The Lions won a free kick on the right side of Plaisance’s penalty area and Liberian midfielder James Soto curled the ball which surprised goalkeeper Jean-Yves Vardin as it went in at the near post for a 1-0 lead.

Plaisance had to react as they showed some good approach play but it was a game that lacked quality though the two sets of players showed a lot of effort.

Plaisance were gifted a decent chance to level the score in the 26th minute as Che Dorasamy stole a defender of the ball to fire at The Lions custodian and captain Jerome Dingwall but he made a good stop with his outstretched leg to deny an equaliser.

On the half hour mark, Plaisance were lucky not to concede again as they left Liberian striker Mohamed Varney unmarked as he collected a pass to leave defender Valdo Azemia in his wake but he tried to squeeze his shot at the near post and was stopped by goalkeeper Vardin who blocked his shot for a 1-0 score at the break.

Plaisance tried to redress the balance in the second period and in the 52nd minute Andy Mougal rifled a rasping shot which goalkeeper Dingwall spilled but both Jake Laval and Marthy Fanny failed to convert.

Three minutes later at the other end, some desperate defending after Soto’s corner helped Plaisance to thwart both Malagasy Clariel’s and young Darian Hoareau’s shots.

Just past the hour mark, Plaisance’s Tanzanian striker Chanai Ngate forced goalkeeper Dingwall to tip over the cross bar his dipping free kick.

After soaking the pressure, The Lions threatened in the later stages and in the 83rd minute substitute Abdul Jumaye fed another substitute, Ugandan David Makumbi’ who turned smartly to shoot at goalkeeper Vardin who pushed away his shot.

Makumbi though opened his account for The Lions in bizarre circumstances as Darrel Damoo’s throw-in in the 87th minute came off his shoulder and slipped through goalkeeper Vardin’s fingers to find refuge in the net for a 2-0 score.

The Lions sealed Plaisance’s fate on the stroke of full time as Clariel picked up a loose ball in his own half to dart into the Plaisance half and spread a pass to Makumbi whose return pass in the penalty area was stabbed home by Clariel to finish off a superb move to make it 3-0 the final score.

The Lions coach Gavin Jeanne was just pleased his team had registered a victory in difficult circumstances.

“We did not play too well as we had to make a few adjustments due to suspensions and though the performance was not good, the result was important,” coach Gavin told Sports Nation.

As for his counterpart coach Jeris Cesar whose team are still in search of their first point in six outings, he was not too disappointed.

“We showed some good signs as we are improving and passed the ball well but we need to improve in attack and we also gifted our opponents two goals which made it tough for us,” coach Cesar said.

R. J-L.

 Word count: 578

Published; 06-05-2016