Girondins too strong for Niort ! [1-0]

This Saturday at 7pm, the Girondins de Bordeaux faced Chamois Niortais FC in their 3rd outing of the Ligue 2 season. Before kick-off, the stadium united for a minute of applause in honour of the late Fernando Chalana.  

Referee Gaël Angola soon got things underway, and Bordeaux had the best of the early chances. In just the second minute, Logan Delaurier-Chaubet tried his luck but could not quite keep his shot down. The first half was fairly evenly-matched, with opportunities for both sides. Danylo Ignatenko, Fransergio and Dilane Bakwa all had decent efforts for Bordeaux, but failed to find the net. Niort gave as good as they got, and came perilously close to taking the lead in the 27th minute. They had another chance just before the break, but a cross into the box found no takers. It was still Bordeaux 0 - 0 Niort when the half-time whistle sounded.  

Neither manager made any changes at the break, but Niort looked re-energised. Thankfully Gaëtan Poussin was on hand to repel their attacks (46’ and 53’) and boost his team-mates' confidence. Bordeaux were soon back on the front foot, and when Josh Maja picked out Logan Delaurier-Chaubet with a long ball, the young striker stared down the keeper and slotted the ball into the net. 1-0 to Bordeaux, with 61 minutes on the clock.  

David Guion's side had the upper hand now, and kept pushing forward in search of a second goal. Logan Delauriet-Chaubet soon found himself through on goal again, but this time the Niort keeper came off his line well to intercept his shot. Boutobba had perhaps the visitors' best chance of the game in the 70th minute, but Gaëtan Poussin was unbeatable today.  Ten minutes from the end Alberth Elis put the ball into the net, only to find that the linesman's flag was up. The fourth official signalled five minutes of added time, but the score remain resolutely fixed at 1-0. This victory puts the Girondins into second place in the league, awaiting late results, and makes us the only team in the league that is yet to concede a goal.