Valenciennes cruise to victory

Valenciennes picked up their first home Ligue 1 victory of the season with a convincing 3-0 win over Ajaccio.

Valenciennes picked up their first home Ligue 1 victory of the season with a convincing win over Ajaccio at the Stade du Hainaut. Mamadou Samassa, Loris Nery and a David Oberhauser own goal were enough to see off the challenge of the visitors, who had Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi sent off in the first half for a two-footed challenge. The home side started strongly and just two minutes in Mathieu Dossevi hit a shot wide from outside the area before Gael Danic headed over when well placed six minutes later. They went ahead in the 16th minute as Samassa headed in from 12 yards following a Danic cross. The goalscorer had a great chance to double both his and Valenciennes' tally after 35 minutes but, from inside the area, could not find the target, shooting wide of the left post. Ajaccio, who had failed to create any opportunities up until that point, were reduced to 10 men two minutes later when Pierazzi was shown a straight red card for a two-footed tackle on Danic. The visitors had their first shot on target into first-half stoppage time, but Sigamary Diarra's shot from outside the area was easily saved by Nicolas Penneteau. Ajaccio, who ground out a goalless draw with big-spending Paris St Germain last weekend, found themselves two down after 56 minutes as Nery scored from close range. Diarra could have reduced the arrears after 69 minutes but he could not convert a Richard Faty cross from 12 yards, heading wide. The visitors were made to rue that missed opportunity as VA extended their lead after 81 minutes when Oberhauser put through his own net.