Another masterclass against Le Havre [6-0]

Le Havre kicked off, but within a minute Bordeaux were on the attack and setting the scene for what was to come. Maëlle Garbinos first cross was caught by the Le Havre keeper, but it didn't take long for the Girondines to find the net. Inès Jaurena, already dominating the midfield, won the ball and picked out Khadija Shaw up front. Shaw shrugged off one defender, battled past a second and laid off the ball for Maëlle Garbino. Our No. 15 fired off an unstoppable shot which ricocheted in off the crossbar. 1 to Bordeaux after 6 minutes. Bordeaux barely had time to celebrate before they were back on the attack. Katja Snoeijs drew her marker wide before delivering an absolutely perfect pass for Maëlle Garbino who, unmarked on the penalty spot, smashed home her second. 2-0 with just 8 minutes played.

The Girondines were a constant threat going forward, forcing two good saves from the visiting keeper (11’, 17’) and one dramatic clearance off the line (23’). But it was only a matter of time. It started when Charlotte Bilbault recovered the ball in midfield, laying off for Katja Snoeijs who teed up Maëlle Garbino. The striker was unstoppable, smashing in her sixth goal of the season to complete a remarkable first-half hat trick. 3-0 on the scoreboard, after 27 minutes. Bordeaux showed no signs of stopping, and D1 top scorer Khadija Shaw had a string of near misses (32’, 36’, 41’, 45’). Her team-mates saw plenty more chances, all stopped by the keeper (37’,42’,45’) or the Le Havre defence (33’, 36’, 42’, 45’), who managed to see out the rest of the first period with no further goals.

Le Havre returned from the break determined to show a different side of their game, but despite dominating possession for a spell they could do nothing to break through Bordeaux's solid defensive line. After ten minutes of this, normal service resumed for the Girondines. The first big chance of the second half came in the 60th minute, when Maëlle Garbino carried the ball into the Le Havre half before finding Katja Snoeijs in the middle. Katja played the ball on to Ghoutia Karchouni, who cut inside and let loose a powerful strike from the edge of the box which the Le Havre keeper just about managed to punch away.

Khadija Shaw had been quiet so far this half, but that was not to last. When Ghoutia Karchouni had a shot blocked, Khadija pounced to smash home a volley from close range. 4-0 Bordeaux after 63 minutes. The Girondines made their first substitution a few minutes later, with Inès Jaurena making way for Ella Palis, the latter making her 60th career appearance in D1. A second change followed shortly afterwards, with Charlotte Bilbault going off for Claire Lavogez. Bordeaux kept on pushing forward, and when a well-placed cross fell to Vanessa Gilles she headed down for, Khadija Shaw who promptly fired in her second. 5-0 to the Girondines after 73 minutes.

The Girondines soon made their third and final change, with French international Ève Perisset coming on for Andréa Lardez. Shortly afterwards, sub Claire Lavogez  played a lovely one-two with Khadija Shaw which set her up for a one-on-one with the keeper - Claire came out on top, putting one more nail in the coffin of this game in the 81st minute (6-0). A fine goal, and Lavogez's tenth for the Girondins.

Le Havre kept on pushing for a consolation, drawing two decent saves from Anna Moorhouse late in the game.