End of National season: in Martigues, Nîmes Olympique did not spoil the party

Après avoir vécu en direct les montées de Toulouse et Martigues ces dernières saisons, les Crocos espèrent revivre de telles scènes de liesse. La saison prochaine ? MIDI LIBRE – E. DZ.

National/34e et dernière journée. Les Martégaux montent, mais les Crocos leur ont mené la vie dure, samedi 18 mai.

Twenty-two years ago, Nîmes and Martigues, respectively penultimate and last of the 2001-2002 financial year, fell together in National. If, since then, the Crocos had come back (in 2008), even tasting three seasons in Ligue1, this was not the case for the Sang et Or, stuck at the amateur level and unable to extricate themselves. Until this Saturday, May 18, in a sold-out Francis-Turcan stadium and with an ex-Croco, Grégory Poirier (2009-2010), at their head. A coach who, by the way, really pleases sports director Sébastien Larcier…

With Ondoa and right side Camara

Saturday, the Nîmes did not spoil the party. It must be said that the Martégaux really wanted to do it. They had learned the lesson of last year, when, in a favorable position for accession, they were scuttled on the penultimate day, at the red lantern Borgo (3 -0).

The Provençaux entered the match full force and scored very quickly with a superb movement, concluded by a cross from Ipiélé for a diving header from Robin beyond the reach of Ondoa ( 1-0, 6th). An opening score which requires two clarifications.

First, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, under contract but whose future we do not know, had been aligned as a reward for his investment in the group, despite his status as a replacement. Then, NO did not have a right back available, it was Camara who stuck to it (rather well in fact), and the goal came from the left side…hellip;

Only five regular owners

Adil Hermach had only fielded five usual starters at the kick-off. He wanted to see some of them at work, in anticipation of next season. The Khalid, Thoumin or Paviot did not really seize their chance, the crocodile coach even taking out the first two at half-time, replaced by the two indisputable Mendy and Mbemba.

Proof that he did not want to lose and that he did not appreciate that "some play a bit like little seniors". The technician even ended up with two, even three central attackers (Mbina, Doucet, even Mbemba): "We had to play hard, for ethics ."

But nothing worked, despite two chances for Mbina (save from Aymes, 16th, and small net, 60th) and a free kick from Picouleau with rebound that Doucet missed little to extend (82nd). But Martigues held on, could have made the break (Ondoa decisive against Diawara, 79th) and deserves to see L2 again.

"Next season is for you"

As for NO, is the final eleventh place deserved ? "Well done, Crocos. Next season, the rise, it's for you,” said a Provençal leader to Nîmes, before they rise… hellip; in their bus, heading to the feria and the holidays. That’s all the harm we wish them.

Sébastien Larcier: “We will have to improve this last month, with Adil (Hermach), we hope…”

Adil Hermach, coach of Nîmes
"We could have returned to the score… This match makes me want to get back to it quickly and why not try to experience moments like those that Martigues is experiencing here. Wù I will be on July 8 for the resumption ? À the Bastide… "

Sébastien Larcier, sports director of Nîmes
"It’s a frustrating season, because there was room to do much better. We must accept that there are stages in a reconstruction. Now, we will have to improve this last month, with Adil, we hope…"

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