JA Drancy 3* RC Strasbourg 3 – Coupe de France

by Andrew Gibney ( @AGibneyftbl )

With seconds to go this match looked like the start of a magical cup journey for Strasbourg. There must have been only seconds remaining at the Stade Charles Sage and Francois Keller’s side held a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately for Le Racing, Drancy hadn’t read the script.

Loic Ghili had not had the best game for the home side but with time ticking away he sent the home crowd crazy. Picking the ball up outside the box Ghili lined up his shot and from distance his shot flew past Ivorian ‘keeper Vauvenargues Kehi and gave JA Drancy a chance.

The game had started slowly, Abdelrani Bekka had a penalty claim turned down as the home side trouble Strasbourg. Drancy’s early tactic was to launch long high balls towards their opponents back line. Rarely did this trouble Keller’s disciplined defence.

After 33 minutes the away sides strong defending paid dividends as Gauthier Pinaud stunned the home fans. Full back Francisco Donzelot bombed forward, played in a teasing cross and Pinaud was there to met it with a acrobatic scissor kick. Jessy Rodrigues in the Drancy net had no chance.

Strasbourg would quickly make it two as Benjamin Genghini lashed a left footed shot past the rocked Rodrigues. The half time whistle didn’t come soon enough for Malik Hebber and his team. They had 45 minutes to save their cup campaign, and save it they would.

It would only take four minutes for Drancy to pull one back. Alassane Diomandé finally beating Kehi after Medhi Khalis shot was blocked by the defence. With the crowd urging their side on they would soon level the game. Djamel Boudjema did well to get down the line, he hung his cross up to the back post and Amat André Diedhiou was there to power the header into the net.

The game remained level until the dying few minutes. Strasbourg won a free-kick with three minutes to go. Thomas Martin beautifully placed his kick towards goal, Rodrigues was equal to it but he could only stop the shot and David Ledy was there to convert the chance and silence the home crowd.

Five minutes later it would be the away side that was stunned as Ghili’s strike found the net. The game would go to penalty kicks. During Extra-time Rodrigues the Drancy keeper would come off and Yann Bell took his place. The 37-yr old would become the hero.

It had been Bell who’s penalty saves had led Drancy to victory over Evry in the previous round and it would be the former Pau FC keeper that would see JAD move on to the last 32.

The Drancy players scored all of their penalties and Bell pulled out two saves to end Strasbourg’s hopes and keep the team from the Paris suburbs in the cup.

Their opponents in the next round will be fifth division side Limoges. Drancy will again be the favourites to reach the last 16.