Portnawak 6 - 0 Chapelle (370505583)

It had rained all day, but 14690 hardy fans still made it out to F.C Portnawak Arena. Recep Öktüzün was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Karl Karnebeek and Bronisław Lipowski. Portnawak tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. They fielded: Fonseca Cunha - Falconer, Mouille, Pasiński - Ganaberro, Iozzino, Aabye-Hansen, Peeters, Debrosse - Leguet, Geffray.

Chapelle started off with a 4-4-2 lineup. Lineup: Gonzalez - Barbarin, Macé, Milot, Virlouvet - Essediri, Laurencin, Chouchane, Oger - Poirier, Venier.

It was obvious that Portnawak were using their pressing skill as their primary tactic. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave M. Pasiński from Portnawak a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 4 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! A questionable penalty 15 minutes in gave the home side the lead, 1 - 0. The visitors' goalie didn't stand a chance as R. Iozzino knocked the ball home. G. Oger was uncomfortable with the soggy pitch as he couldn't move the ball around with his usual grace. Things were going to get worse for the visitors. D. Debrosse squirmed through their central defence after 25 minutes, increasing the lead to 2 - 0. Portnawak's J. Ganaberro increased the lead to 3 - 0, after he saw his shot go between the legs of the advancing goalkeeper following some good play down the right wing after 35 minutes. Cheers filled the stadium as M. Peeters broke through the visitors' central defence to put away the ball to increase the lead to 4 - 0 to Portnawak. By now, the players in Portnawak felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. Halftime score was 4 - 0. Possession in this half belonged to Portnawak, who controlled the ball 77 percent of the time.

A magnificent combination in the middle resulted in Portnawak's W. Falconer increasing the lead to 5 - 0. The pressing tactics used by Portnawak were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. 64 minutes into the match, the visitors' central line of defence had to look on as R. Iozzino broke through, making the score 6 - 0 for Portnawak. Thighs bulging, A. Laurencin charged past the weaker players, seemingly oblivious to the rain. M. Pasiński could have increased the lead after 73 minutes, but his shot hit the post after a nice combination in the middle of the park. Portnawak's M. Pasiński swung in a good chance from the left, but the visitors' defence were able to clear the ball. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Portnawak, with 75 percent of the ball.

R. Iozzino performed admirably for Portnawak. On the other hand, N. Leguet's play was disheartening. Chapelle's best player was F. Poirier. N. Gonzalez was a disappointment, however. The match ends 6 - 0.