Le Havre is a more than serious candidate for the rise in Ligue 1 after its success against Nîmes (3-1).
Led 1-0 at home, Le Havre consolidated its leading position by finally winning 3-1 against Nîmes on Friday during the 19th day of Ligue 2, while its runner-up Bordeaux was joined on the wire by Amiens (1-1), a direct competitor to the climb.
Faced with the penultimate of L2, the Le Havre first scared themselves by conceding the opener of Lamine Fomba (50th). But Quentin Cornette was the hero of the evening at the Océane stadium.
He first equalized with a superb long shot (61st), then on another long shot from the former Amiens player, Nîmes goalkeeper Axel Maraval caught the ball… Behind his line (csc, 84th) . In added time, Cornette added a third goal (90+2).
Now with a nine-point lead over second-placed Bordeaux, HAC has taken another step towards a return to Ligue 1. On the next day, January 28, Le Havre will travel to Amiens (6th). The opportunity for Cornette, but also coach Luka Elsner and sports director Mathieu Bodmer, to find their former club.
If the Amiens remain in the race for the climb, four points from Bordeaux, they owe it to their draw (1-1) snatched thanks to the young George Ilenikhena, 16, scorer on the wire (90 + 2) while the Bordelais thought they had the three points in their pocket.
As against Caen on Tuesday, where they had led 2-0, the Girondins were unable to maintain their lead after the opener in the 42nd penalty from Josh Maja, top scorer in L2 (11 goals).
David Guion’s players are closely followed by Metz (3rd), two points away and Grenoble (5th) three points away. They are also under threat from Sochaux, whose home match against Caen, originally scheduled for this Saturday, has been postponed to Friday January 20 to allow Norman coach Stéphane Moulin to attend his wife’s funeral.
Metz, the best attack in L2 (31 goals) won at home 2-0 against Quevilly-Rouen thanks to a very nice cross shot from Ablie Jallow (72nd) and a goal from Georges Mikautadze (90 + 2).
The Grenoble residents brought back a precious success from Guingamp in a game with twists and turns, concluded 4-2 by the Isérois thanks in particular to a double from Jordan Tell.
At the bottom of the standings, Dijon, winner of Valenciennes 2-1, takes 16th place in Rodez, beaten in Laval 3-1. The red lantern, Saint-Etienne will move on Monday to a competitor in the fight to maintain Niort (18th).
