Amateur Teams Defy League Struggles with Deep coupe de France Runs
LE CELLIER, FRANCE – Two French amateur football clubs, Le Cellier Mauves FC and Aire sur la lys, are experiencing a stark contrast in fortunes: consistent defeats in league play alongside surprising success in the Coupe de France, France’s premier domestic cup competition. Both teams recently secured qualification for the seventh round of the tournament despite currently holding zero points in their respective regional leagues.
Le cellier Mauves FC (Regional 3) advanced on penalties after a 2-2 draw against Essarts, followed by a 2-0 loss to Saint-Denis Chevasse. They face upcoming league matches against Bouaye (November 2) and Sainte-Cécile Saint-Mar (November 9) as they seek their first points of the season. Prior to hosting Stade Lavallois (L2), these games represent key opportunities for enhancement.
Meanwhile, Aire sur la Lys (Regional 2) also progressed to the seventh round, set to play Olympique Marcquois (R1) on November 16. Their league form has been particularly challenging, with four consecutive defeats to start the season. They lost 4-3 to Esquelbecq, were defeated by OSA Football in Dunkerque, and later lost at home to Bruay Labuissière and Loon Plage.
Despite the challenging start in Regional 2,Aire sur la Lys’s Coupe de France run has garnered attention,showcasing their ability to compete against higher-ranked opposition.The draw for the seventh and eighth rounds of the Coupe de France recently took place, solidifying the paths of these two underdog clubs.
