Football, Regional 3: Dordogne clubs at half mast, already movement on the benches

It was the last hope of promotion this season for a club from Périgord. But Sarlat-Marcillac's chances had diminished since their defeat on the penultimate day at Aixe-sur-Vienne, which saw them move up in the Group F standings. There were no miracles this Sunday, as the top two teams won 2-1 against the reserves of Tulle and Brive, who were behind them. For the second year in a row, FCSM thus missed out on promotion by a hair's breadth.

In the same group, the Boulazac reserve team, promoted and finishing sixth, had a relatively serene season under the leadership of Assan Hammouti. Unlike Montpon-Ménesplet, who had a crisis in the fall with a change of coach, finishing a good third in Group G.

Another highly ranked team (4th in Group D), Limens JSA ended up disappointed, after a brilliant start with a polished game that then disintegrated, causing chronic inconsistency. Next season, the team will be led by Mathieu De Matos, who was landed by Boulazac last fall, who will replace Pascal Guillaume.

In the same group, Ribérac had a good season in mid-table. Gaël Jourdain's players, who finished poorly on Sunday (0-5 against Isle B), could have finished higher than 7th place with more consistency. Still better than the three other Périgord representatives in the group. Although La Tour-Mareuil-Verteillac, where coach Paul Charron will be handing over, saved themselves thanks to seven points taken in their last three matches.

Three relegations to the district

On the other hand, Thiviers-Nord Dordogne and Sanilhac are relegated. Thiviers, weighed down by the long absence of its starting goalkeeper, won only one match. Another victory for SAS, which saw too many players leave or retire last summer. A tough road ahead for Karim Azizou, the new coach, as Didier Praxo has decided to step aside.

Mussidan-Saint-Médard's third relegation to the district for the Dordogne, despite a slight improvement after the mid-season coaching change. A third relegation in a row for USMSM. Drafted last summer, Coc Chamiers, meanwhile, saved itself after an up-and-down season. But Rudy Gérard, who was not retained, leaves his place on the bench to Axel Esnault.

The bottom two teams in Group H didn't waver. Coteaux Pécharmant, in their second season in the league, even finished on the podium with a successful season. And the much-rejuvenated Trélissac C team finished just behind, despite a fluctuating squad.