Hearts SC faced U20 in a thrilling cup encounter at Baie Aux Huitres on 22 September 2024, with the match concluding in a 2-1 victory for the visitors. The match, which kicked off at 3:30 pm, saw Hearts SC display resilience and skill against their opponents, securing their place in the next round of the competition.
Hearts SC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a setup that emphasises both defensive solidity and attacking flexibility. The back four consisted of Harik Yoan Speville-Hortense at right back, Markley Begue and Jean Nataniel Leopold as central defenders, with Jean Guetan Stephan Ravina occupying the left back position. In front of them, Samuel Milazar and George Stephen Leopold formed a robust double pivot in central midfield, tasked with both breaking up play and initiating attacks. The trio of Michael Erwin Pierre Louis on the right, Joseph Nicolas Allas in the central attacking role, and Louis Damien Raboude on the left provided creative support to lone striker John Hansley Agathe, who was expected to lead the line and convert chances into goals.
The substitutes for Hearts SC included Jean Fabrino Albert and Louis Darrel Leopold, who would later come into play as tactical changes were made.
The match began with both teams probing for an early advantage, but it was Hearts SC who struck first. In the 18th minute, Michael Erwin Pierre Louis found the back of the net with a well-placed left-footed shot from inside the box, assisted by a precise cross from John Hansley Agathe. This goal set the tone for a competitive first half.
However, Hearts SC's momentum was somewhat dampened when Jean Guetan Stephan Ravina received a yellow card in the 28th minute for a bad tackle, a decision that reflected the physical nature of the contest.
As the first half drew to a close, Hearts SC maintained their lead, heading into halftime with a 1-0 advantage. The referee signalled for the break at 48.5 minutes, leaving both teams to regroup and reassess their strategies.
The second half saw an immediate response from Hearts SC, who doubled their lead in the 57th minute. John Hansley Agathe scored with a right-footed effort from inside the box, assisted by Michael Erwin Pierre Louis, showcasing the attacking prowess of Hearts SC's forward line.
In the 60th minute, tensions flared as Louis Damien Raboude received a yellow card for a deliberate handball, further adding to the match's competitive edge. Shortly after, U20 managed to pull one back in the 71st minute with a penalty, narrowing the score to 2-1.
The excitement continued as Jeremy Speville-Hortense, Hearts SC's goalkeeper, was shown a yellow card for a bad tackle in the same minute, illustrating the high-stakes nature of the match. This was quickly followed by another yellow card, this time for Joseph Nicolas Allas in the 73rd minute due to violent conduct, which led to a tactical substitution in the 75th minute as Jean Fabrino Albert replaced Allas.
Moments later, Louis Darrel Leopold came on for Louis Damien Raboude, further shifting the dynamics of the match as Hearts SC sought to maintain their slender lead against a resurgent U20 side.
Despite the late pressure from U20, Hearts SC held firm to secure the 2-1 victory, marking a significant step forward in their cup campaign. The match showcased not only the attacking flair of Hearts SC but also their resilience in the face of mounting pressure, with standout performances from players such as Jeremy Speville-Hortense and Michael Erwin Pierre Louis, both of whom were instrumental in their team's success.
