Fleury Can Still Dream of Ligue 2, Versailles Remains in Contention
Fleury Merogis U.S. Kept their Ligue 2 promotion hopes alive with a 2-0 victory at Châteauroux on Friday evening, maintaining third place in the Championnat National standings after the 31st matchday. The result leaves the promoted Essonne side within striking distance of the automatic promotion spots, while Versailles 78 secured a crucial 2-2 draw at Le Puy to remain firmly in the playoff race.
The win for Fleury came through goals from Loup Hervieu and Jonathan Rivas, with Hervieu opening the scoring early in the third minute after a assist from Kevin Farade. Farade, who had scored in nine of his last eight matches before this game, did not locate the net himself but contributed his sixth assist of the season to set up the opener. Rivas then doubled the lead later in the first half with a fine finish, securing Fleury’s eighth consecutive match without defeat (six wins, two draws).
This result leaves Fleury tied with Rouen on 51 points, both occupying the podium positions that qualify for the Ligue 2 promotion playoffs at season’s end. The top two teams in National earn automatic promotion to Ligue 2, while the third through sixth-place teams enter a playoff tournament for the final promotion spot.
Meanwhile, Versailles 78 battled back from two-goal deficits to claim a point at Le Puy, keeping their own promotion aspirations intact. Cédric Odzoumo scored his ninth goal of the season in the 29th minute to pull one back, before Romain Basque converted a penalty in the 80th minute to complete the comeback. The draw leaves Versailles in fifth place with 48 points, just three points behind the playoff positions.
Both teams face challenging fixtures in the final stretch of the season. Fleury will take on three direct competitors in their last three matches: Le Puy (currently seventh), Orléans (sixth), and Rouen (fourth). Versailles has two crucial games against Orléans and Rouen before concluding their season at already-relegated Saint-Brieuc.
The race for Ligue 2 promotion remains intensely competitive as the season enters its decisive phase. With multiple clubs separated by just a few points, every match carries significant implications for the final standings and promotion outcomes.
The next official update on the National league standings will reach after the completion of the 32nd matchday fixtures.
What are your thoughts on Fleury’s promotion push and Versailles’ playoff hopes? Share your predictions for how the National season will conclude in the comments below.
