For the 24th day of National 2, on Saturday, April 4, the Crocodiles suffered greatly against Rousset but managed to win (1-2) and kept their first place, which was hanging by a thread.
Nîmes responded in Cannes. The Azuréens won on Friday evening against Bobigny (1-0). On the synthetic field of the last place team Rousset, during a match played behind closed doors on Saturday, April 4th, the Crocodiles also won (their 14th victory) and reclaimed the top spot in National 2 Group C. But it was tough and laborious!
The 24th day and the standings of National 2 Group C
Former Alès player Kich posed a threat to the Crocodiles
At half-time, the Nîmes players were more nervous than they had played. They were trailing against the Roussetains who had a better start and scored during their first strong build-up.
Passiveness from Dramé, Loubacky, and Martinez throughout the action did not help. After 469 minutes, Salamone’s invincibility came to an end.
The match details
Rousset Sainte-Victoire – Nîmes Olympique: 1-2. Stade de la Plaine sportive. Half-time: 1-0. Referee: Valentin Ougier. Rousset warning: Da Costa (79th minute). Goal for Rousset: Kich (7th minute). Goals for Nîmes: Depres (63rd minute pen), Touré (87th minute). ROUSSET: Salhi – K.Mohamed, Boitano, Peisson, Da Costa (Soudi, 83rd minute) – Gourdon (Chabrolle, 77th minute), Zerfaoui, Z.Mohamed (Mansouria, 88th minute) – Berkane (Tebib, 83rd minute), Kich (Gonçalves Pereira, 77th minute), Haddou (captain). NÎMES: Salamone – Loubacky, Dramé, Martinez (captain), Doucouré (Diallo, 53rd minute) – Coulibaly, Pirès (Orinel, 53rd minute), Benhamza – Bennour (Kubota, 76th minute), Sylla (Depres, 53rd minute), Touré.
Lack of rhythm and precision
Nîmes then took control of the ball, struggling to build up any momentum. There were too many inaccuracies in the passing to break down an opponent who was fighting hard on all fronts and now only played on the counter.
For a long time, the Crocodiles searched for a solution without success. Apart from Touré’s shot diverted by Salhi (10th minute) and the header that Bennour couldn’t redirect (16th minute), offensive opportunities were scarce.
Depres returns and scores
Another shot from Bennour blocked (49th minute). Nîmes immediately applied pressure on Rousset after the break but couldn’t find more solutions. Gas then substituted Orinel, Depres, and Diallo (53rd minute). Immediately, Depres equalized with a goal-line clearance (55th minute). Orinel, however, shot over the bar (57th minute).
The relief came with a penalty after a corner from Orinel and a handball in the Rousset box. Depres then equalized with power (1-1, 63rd minute). Phew!
Nîmes had equalized, Nîmes was more active than Rousset, who mostly defended, but Nîmes couldn’t control the game as the leader, struggling offensively.
Salhi’s saves, Rousset’s goalkeeper
Touré had a clear scoring opportunity but faced Salhi twice (68th minute). Salhi made fantastic saves, notably from a long-range effort (75th minute) and a powerful shot by Depres (78th minute). Just before, Kich missed a double chance for Rousset (73rd minute).
Touré, the savior once again
The pressure intensified. Rousset didn’t give up. But on a throw-in, Depres blind-sided a cross into the box, and Touré’s header found the net at the near post, finally beating Salhi (1-2, 87th minute). A goal, an assist, the winning return for Clément Depres, who missed the last eight matches. And Bissourou Touré, the liberator, just like in Saint-Priest.
Nîmes had fought hard, perhaps had a bit of luck, but Nîmes didn’t give up anything and, with character, eventually managed to beat Rousset and regain their two-point lead over Cannes at the top of Group C.
