Football: end of suspense in Regional 3, except for one detail, for the Dordogne

This Sunday's derby, in Group D of Regional 3, held major stakes for only one of the two teams. A victory away to a Thibérien team that had already been relegated, La Tour-Mareuil-Verteillac could definitively secure their survival.

And the match couldn't have gotten off to a better start for the visitors. Valentin Nadaud's shot, deflected by goalkeeper Ludovic Pigeassou, bounced off home defender Quentin Madehors (0-1, 4').

Missed equalizers

But this goal surprisingly made the visitors tense throughout the first half. Following a corner, the Mareuil goalkeeper needed a save to prevent François Mery-Galet from equalizing with a header (11th). And Jordan Lapouge was again on hand to save a powerful strike from Romain Dumas (17th). A minute later, it was Hugo Charriéras' turn to lose his one-on-one with Lapouge.

The goalkeeper was even assisted by his defenders twice, on the line, before the break (22nd and 37th).

Thiviers-Nord Dordogne had let their chance slip away as, after the break, the visitors got back on track. In two minutes, Noé Mariaud, with a flat foot, and Jordan Massoubre, with a low shot, removed all suspense (0-3, 51st). And FCLTMV put the nail in the coffin with a through ball that Alexis Marcadier exploited masterfully (0-4, 67th).

Thibérienne saved their honor at the very end of the match through Abdoulaye Diallo (1-4). It was only fair given their fine first half. But, as is too often the case this season, the bottom team failed to deliver.

Sarlat-Marcillac has lost its touch

If Sarlat-sur-Vienne hadn't won 8-1 in the first leg against Aixe-sur-Vienne, there would have been nothing left at stake on the final day for the ten Périgord teams in Regional 3. Having conceded two goals (42nd and 55th) during the top of Group F, FCSM still lost control at the worst possible time, handing first place to the Haute-Vienne players, who have a three-point lead. Sarlat-Marcillac, on Sunday, May 18, will therefore have to beat the Brive reserve team (4th) while hoping that Aixe loses to Tulle (3rd). Otherwise, Sarlat-sur-Vienne will miss out on promotion to R2 by a whisker for the second time in a row.

For the rest, besides La Tour-Mareuil-Verteillac, the Boulazac reserve team (Group F), 2-1 against Donzenac, and Coulounieix-Chamiers (Group H), 3-1 against TFC C, won one more victory, just in case, to be sure not to finish lower than 8th place. Despite this mission accomplished with a drafted Cocc, coach Rudy Gérard learned in the process that he will not be renewed next season.