Youngsters bow out of the cup with their heads held high (2-4)

This weekend in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, the Reserves took on Pau in pursuit of a place in the final of the Coupe de Nouvelle-Aquitaine, hoping to build on the momentum of their quarter-final victory over Stade Bordelais (1-1, 7-6 after pens).  Bordeaux had by far the brighter start, but Pau held tight and eventually took the lead courtesy of Sonny Degert (0-1, 36').  Shortly after the break, substitute Henoc Lusweki capped off a rapid counter-attack with a goal which put the Girondins firmly back in the game (1-1, 53’). But that hope was to be short-lived, since man of the match Sonny Degert soon popped up again to score two goals in quick succession (1-2, 61’) ; (1-3, 65’). Tidjan Diaby then made it 4-1 to Pau with a scorcher of a shot from outside the box (1-4, 88’). 17-year-old Lusweki netted again in injury time to give Bordeaux some consolation, which was no more than they deserved after a very promising performance (2-4, 90’). Ultimately Pau's age and experience won out over the Girondins' youthful exuberance.