France round up: Rare away win for Sochaux

FC Sochaux-Montbéliard claimed only their second away win of the season in Ligue 1 with a single-goal victory at FC Nantes Atlantique.

Well-worked goal
The game between the two mid-table sides was decided by Sochaux’s Jérémy Mathieu’s goal nine minutes after half-time, as fellow midfield player Wilson Oruma cleverly left a pass from Benoït Pedretti and Mathieu beat Nantes goalkeeper Michael Landreau with a powerful shot into the far corner of the net.

Moldovan denied
The home side began the game positively, and created a number of clear chances in the first half. Viorel Moldovan’s 17th minute header struck the post, before the Romanian striker almost capitalised on a short back pass from Mathieu, only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle from Ibrahim Tall.

Sochaux pressure
Sochaux had several corners at the end of the half yet failed to create any meaningful goalscoring opportunities before Mathieu’s strike early in the second period. Nantes tried to find a way back into the game, but the closest they came was when Sochaux goalkeeper Teddy Richert’s clearance was blocked by Marama Vahirua and Stéphane Ziani put the ball into the empty net, only to see his effort ruled out for offside.

Sochaux up to sixth
The win moves Sochaux four places up the table to sixth position with 41 points, while Nantes stay eleventh.

Auxerre recovery
Meanwhile, in the fourth round of the Coupe de France, AJ Auxerre ended the hopes of fourth-division amateur side FC Bourg-Péronnas with a 3-1 win. The home team, who reached the quarter-finals of this competition in 1998, took a shock lead after 25 minutes when Jean-Christophe Durand’s shot was deflected into the net, but Lionel Mathis equalised nine minutes later, before Benjamin Mwaruwari and Yann Lachuer added second half goals to seal the win.

Late action
In tonight's games, Stade Rennais FC made light work of a potentially difficult away trip to FC Libourne Saint-Seurin, with goals from Alexander Frei and Toifilou Maoulida either side of a Davy Merabti own goal sealing a 3-0 win for the top-flight team. However, there was success for lower division sides as AS Angoulême-Charente 92 defeated En Avant Guingamp 3-1 on penalties after the game had finished goalless after 120 minutes.

Giantkilling exploits
Fifth division side Sporting Club Schiltingheim won 3-0 at home against Toulouse FC, their third victory over professional opponents in this season's competition, while FC Martigues also enjoyed a home victory, 2-0 against FC Metz.

Sunday action
In Sunday's cup games, Lille OSC visit FC Lorient, Paris Saint-Germain FC travel to Stade Lavallois-Mayenne FCand FC Girondins de Bordeaux are at home to ES Wasquehal.