Nîmes Olympique wins tonight against Quevilly Rouen Métropole in Costières (2-1) for the first time since July 31, in an atmosphere weighed down by the boycott of supporters’ clubs.

There were probably more people at the NO fan club demonstration this afternoon than at Costières tonight, and the official attendance figure of 1,203 spectators seemed very optimistic. It is in this once again special context that Nîmes Olympique received QRM.

A team used to suffering, good against the big guys, with a victory in Ajaccio and draws in Sochaux and against Toulouse, but disappointing against less flashy teams, with slaps against Niort and Rodez (0-3 both times) . In view of these results, we would be almost reassured by telling ourselves that the NO is no longer really part of the big L2 this season.

marsson rewarded

In this opposition between a relegated and a promoted, it is the Nîmes Olympique which attacks the first, and Ómarsson, holder this evening in the absence of Koné, is agitated from the first minutes. Still, the match settles in a certain technical mediocrity which will not leave this first period linked to a cardiac rhythm and punctuated by passes in touch and failed raises.

Eliasson floats on the left and following a good cross from Ueda, send a good strike from the left put in a corner by Lemaître (8th). A few minutes later, the Swede is signaled again with a good cross. We say to ourselves that this encouraging start to the match, with a harmless QRM, is a good sign.

However, this season the NO is the specialist in goals conceded on the first unfavorable occasions, Sochaux having been an exception to this bad habit. Thus, Nazon opens the scoring closely after a strike at the corner of the surface place smashing the post of Bråtveit (0-1, 16th). We have only been playing for a quarter of an hour, and Pascal Plancque’s men are already behind the score: a very bad sign, the reds and whites have never won this season after conceding the opener (1 draw and 5 defeats). At least until tonight.

In the minutes which follow, the Crocs accuse the blow. It takes them ten minutes for Benrahou to take responsibility on the left and send a good cross after a superb dribble. Ómarsson is too short, the ball falls to Burner, who returns a powerful center that the Icelandic takes back from a heel to mark his first but of the season at Costières (1-1, 27th).

Three minutes later, Guessoum’s header narrowly misses the target on a corner well shot by Benrahou, then Ponceau misses his shot after a good one-two with Ómarsson, in all the good shots during the first forty-five minutes ( 34e). Delpech will put a strike from the left just above on a new deflection from the Icelandic (39th), before the Normans put their nose to the window and declared themselves dangerous by a vicious cross from Gbelle.

QRM will push at the end of the first period, but too rough and technically approximate, Bruno Irles’ men will not manage to score. Half-time is whistled on the score of one but everywhere, which faithfully reflects the physiognomy of this first act not unpleasant but of a footballing level that we will modestly qualify as not terrible.

Head Benrahou

The second period starts again on the same bases, with technical inaccuracies on each side. Jozefzoon stands out on the QRM side with a good strike in the 55th, prelude to a good second act for the player trained at Ajax Amsterdam, who will show off all the colors to Paquiez. Still, if QRM gives the impression of moving forward, it is indeed the NO that will gain the advantage.

We play ten minutes in the second half, Eliasson overflows once again on the left and addresses a love of center that Benrahou takes back from the head to the far post to give the advantage to Crocos (2-1, 54th) and score his sixth but of the season in Ligue 2. From there, Pascal Plancque’s men will no longer show great choice.

The Normans take matters into their own hands and push. Jozefzoon has fun on the right and several opportunities. He remains, like his team, too imprecise to really worry the Crocs, who fold, with a few questionable raises, but do not break, helped by a Cubas returned to the precious hour of play in the midfield, especially one evening when Fomba was a little below.

The last opportunity will be for the Norman captain Padovani, a recovery above in stoppage time. Nîmes Olympique connects a third consecutive victory, the second in the league, and regains air in the standings, being 11th tonight. From this match, we will remember more the result than the content, still limited against a modest team from Quevilly Rouen.

Thierry allard

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16th day of Ligue 2. Stade des Costières. Spectators: 1,203. Nîmes Olympique – Quevilly Rouen Métropole. 2-1. (half time: 1-1). Referee: M. Perreau-Niel. Goals for Nîmes: Ómarsson (27th), Benrahou (54th). But for Quevilly Rouen: Nazon (16th). Warnings in Nîmes: Ponceau (13th), Ueda (52nd), Fomba (74th), Paquiez (75th). Warning to Quevilly Rouen: Gbelle (65th).

Nîmes: Bråtveit – Paquiez, Ueda, Guessoum, Burner – Fomba (cap.), Ponceau (Valerio, 80th), Delpech (Cubas, 63rd), Benrahou, Eliasson – Ómarsson (Doucouré, 80th). Subs not used: Dias (left), Zaidan, Philibert, El-Ftouhi. Coach: Pascal Plancque.

Quevilly Rouen: Lemaître – Lambese (Bansais, 9th, Taillan, 80th), Boé-Kane (Sangaré, 61st), Cissokho, Dekoke – Padovani (cap.), Sidibé, Bahassa (Zabou, 61st), Jozefzoon, Gbelle (Ndilu, 80th) – Nazon. Subs not used: Lejeune (left), Haddad. Coach: Bruno Irles.