Reims hit back at Guingamp

Reims came from behind to win 2-1 on a quagmire of a pitch at Guingamp on Saturday.

Reims came from behind to win 2-1 on a quagmire of a pitch at Guingamp. Rachid Alioui gave Guingamp a deserved lead just after the hour mark but it served only to sting the visitors into life and two goals in three minutes from Odair Fortes and Floyd Ayite turned the game around. Reims occupy a hugely impressive sixth place in the Ligue 1 table, within five points of the European places, while Guingamp are five points but only two places clear of the relegation zone. Patches of standing water made conditions difficult for both teams but Guingamp adapted more easily in the first period. Alioui had the chance to score inside a minute when he raced through one-on-one with keeper Johny Placide, but he blazed over the bar. Alioui had another shot saved after Fatih Atik's cross and was then denied a penalty when Aissa Mandi appeared to handle the ball while battling for possession with the striker. Antoine Devaux's 25-yard shot was an isolated first-half threat at the other end and was comfortably taken by keeper Guy N'Dy Assembe. Atik could have put Guingamp in front shortly before half-time but saw his 25-yard drive parried away by Placide. The opener came in the 62nd minute, though, when Yatabare found space on the left and picked out Alioui, who turned home his third goal in two games. But the lead lasted only seven minutes before Prince Oniangue picked out the pacey Fortes, who made the most of Reynald Lemaitre's misjudgement and slid the ball past N'Dy Assembe. And three minutes later the turnaround was complete. Ayite's goal was all his own work as the Togo forward, on for Eliran Atar seven minutes earlier, raced past two defenders before firing low inside the near post. Ayite then turned provider for Mandi, but the defender's shot struck a post as the game finished 2-1.