Attack v. Defence [0-11]

As they took to the field against Regional Division 1 side Mérignac-Arlac, the Girondines were expecting a one-sided encounter. They weren't wrong. Bordeaux pushed forward from the get-go, and soon took the lead. Vanessa Gilles (5’), Ghoutia Karchouni (11’) and Camille Surdez gave the Girondines a healthy lead within barely ten minutes. The Swiss international rapidly completed a hat-trick (13’, 16’, 26’) to put Bordeaux 5-0 up. Charlotte Bilbault was on magnificent form in midfield, tracking back to retrieve the ball and relaunch the attack. Inès Jauréna provided the connecting balls, with Ghoutia Karchouni the playmaker. Bordeaux approached this match with total professional, delivering a performance which was serious, concentrated and respectful of their opponents.  Maëlle Garbino managed to sneak one more goal in just before half-time (44’). Eva Bachmann replaced Camille Surdez for the second half (46’), as the pace began to slow slightly. FCE Mérignac-Arlac seemed to have recovered some of their composure... temporarily. With an hour on the clock, Axelle Touzeau connected with a pass from Inès Jaurena to make it 7-0 (60’). It was to be the first goal in another hat-trick (71’, 81’).  And there was more to come, with Maëlle Garbino firing in two more goals (62’ and 86’). The final score could have been even heavier than 11-0 were it not for three shots which ricocheted off the crossbar (33’, 51’, 76’) and a plethora of half-chances and offside calls. But there were no complaints from the fans, after this masterful team performance. The two teams operate in very different leagues, but Pedro Martinez Losa will surely be delighted with the drive and concentration demonstrated by his team. The girls now have one more friendly against Bergerac this Saturday, before their league campaign officially gets underway in Fleury on 24th August.