Val-d'Oise edge past Angers in friendly
Val-d'Oise secured a 29-25 victory over Angers in a club friendly on Friday evening at the Stade Jean-Bouin. The away side took control early and never looked back, managing to see the game out despite Angers' attempts to close the gap in the final minutes. to be fair, the result was somewhat expected given both sides' recent form.
Angers' results have been concerning of late. They lost 31-37 to Massy Essonne in their most recent outing on August 8th, and since then have lost three more matches while managing just one win against UC Créteil. The hosts were clearly not at their best, conceding 29 goals in what was their first competitive fixture of the new season.
Val-d'Oise arrived with mixed momentum. They had beaten Ivry 15-14 on August 19th, but that came after a heavy 28-31 defeat to Pontoise-Compiègne. The away team's defence was tighter than usual, which allowed them to protect their lead when it mattered most. and here's the thing, they showed enough composure to handle the pressure in the closing stages.
The match was played in typical late-summer conditions, with neither side able to impose their preferred style for the full duration. Angers dominated possession in patches but struggled to convert opportunities into goals. Val-d'Oise took their chances more efficiently, particularly in the second half when they extended their advantage.
This result adds to Angers' growing list of defeats. They now have four losses from their last five matches, with only the victory over Créteil breaking the run. The coaching staff will need to address the defensive frailties before the competitive season begins in earnest.
For Val-d'Oise, the win provides some confidence after their previous result against Pontoise-Compiègne. They demonstrated they can compete against higher-ranked opposition and come away with something positive. by then, they'll be hoping to build on this performance.
The friendly concluded with Val-d'Oise earning four points from their last two matches, while Angers' tally remains at just two wins from five games played this season. The result means little in terms of any table position, but the gap in quality was evident throughout.