Valenciennes vs. Boulogne

Philippe Montanier, the former Boulogne coach, saw his new club make a strong start to proceedings, but they lacked in penetration and would take quarter of the match to manage a truly notable effort on goal.

A Gael Danic corner flew over the head of the visiting goaltender, but Carlos Sanchez and Johan Audel appeared to hamper each other, the net result being the ball travelling over the top of the bar.

Raiding forward on occasion, Boulogne certainly threatened, Gregory Thil sending one rather meek effort over the top. However, Guy Ndy Assembe would be called into action on 25 minutes, punching away a sweetly struck Thil drive.

When Thil limped off for treatment on 35 minutes, VA tried to take advantage through Johan Audel, whose shot was brilliantly blocked by Mathieu Valverde. The visitors’ star man would have to be replaced, and the hosts would control the remainder of the period without looking particularly menacing.

But Alexandre Cuvillier cracked a home post immediately after the break, reminding them that there was still a match to be won. Two minutes later the home side had hit the post, albeit via the fingertips of Valverde, who turned Audel’s effort onto the upright.

And VA would go similarly close on 68 minutes, Audel again finding his luck out as he lashed against the woodwork.

The home side had all the momentum, and Boulogne could not withstand this push. Some sloppy defending allowed Gregory Pujol, playing his first game of the season, to batter home between Valverde.

That goal should’ve been good enough to win all three points but a lapse in concentration from Gaetan Bong presented Daniel Moreira with a relatively simple chance late on, which the former Grenoble striker buried.

VA might have won the game late on, but Audel again came up short, Valverde turning his dipping effort over.