An epic game, a narrow defeat [2-3]

The Girondines gave it their all this Friday evening, but Paris FC are a tough nut to crack. The Parisians created all sorts of problems for the Girondins, with their intense pressing style and aggressive tackling, not to mention their fluid passing game. Ultimately the visitors had the better of this top-of-the-table clash. And yet, it was Bordeaux who scored first. In the fifteenth minute, Eve Perisset picked out Khadija Shaw on the right wing. Shaw turned on the pace to burn past her marker and deliver a neat cross for Katja Snoeijs, who promptly slammed home her 7th goal of the season (1-0, 15’). Nonetheless, this goal was somewhat against the run of play. The Parisians created a number of chances early on, with Laplacette (3’), Matéo (17’ et 45’+1) and Corboz (22’) all threatening.

Sandrine Soubeyrand's side finally equalised from the penalty spot, a spot kick conceded by Julie Dufour. Gaëtane Thiney did the honours (1-1, 39’). The Girondines were being run ragged in midfield, and finding it increasingly difficult to push back. Still, when Khadija Shaw skipped past three players only to be hauled down by Greboval ,the blatant foul clearly called for a card and a well-placed free kick... But the referee was having none of it. The game kicked up a gear in the second half, with Bordeaux once again taking the lead. Out on the right wing, Eve Perisset floated in a great ball for Katja Snoeijs, who doubled her tally with a right-footed drive from close range (2-1, 53’).

The rest of the game was frantic, end-to-end stuff. Katja Snoeijs came tantalisingly close to a hat trick (55’, 59’) and Paris no longer seemed quite so in control of themselves. In fact it took a rare defensive error from the Girondines to offer them a way back into this game. Viens intercepted a misjudged back-pass and went charging down on Anna Moorhouse, who blocked the first shot but not the second (2-2, 72’). PFC were back in business and soon won another penalty, but this time Gaëtane Thiney blasted it over the bar (75’). Maybe Bordeaux's luck had changed... or maybe not. With little more than a minute left on the clock, Viens embarked on a solo run, shrugged off two defenders and fired in the winning goal (2-3, 89’).

A bitter disappointment for Bordeaux, even if Paris FC were deserving winners. The Girondines now have two weeks to prepare for their next game, an away trip to Fleury.