Angers vs Les Herbiers

Jim Allevinah struck twice in the second half as Angers SCO came from behind to beat neighbouring Les Herbiers 3-1 in their first pre-season friendly of the 2026/27 campaign at the Stade Omnisports Jean Bouin in Cholet on Wednesday evening.

Alexandre Dujeux's Ligue 1 side, who finished 10th last season, opened the scoring through new signing Usman Simbakoli — the forward marked his first appearance since rejoining the club on 3 July 2026 with a ninth-minute strike. But Les Herbiers, who play in National 2 (the fourth tier), responded swiftly: Sony Butrot levelled in the 16th minute, a goal that stood until half-time.

How it unfolded

Angers controlled the early exchanges and took a deserved lead when Simbakoli — returning to the club six years after leaving — converted inside nine minutes. The 24-year-old, signed from RWDM Brussels earlier this month, showed sharp movement to get on the end of a chance in the box.

Les Herbiers, however, were not overawed by the three-division gap. Midfielder Sony Butrot, 27, restored parity in the 16th minute with a composed finish, sending the teams into the break level at 1-1.

The turning point

Dujeux made changes at half-time and the reshuffle paid dividends after the hour mark. Gabon international winger Jim Allevinah took control of the game, scoring twice in 11 minutes. His first came in the 69th minute — a well-taken effort to put Angers ahead — before he sealed the result with a second goal in the 80th minute.

Key performers

Jim Allevinah (Angers) — The 31-year-old was the difference-maker. Two sharp finishes in the final 20 minutes turned a competitive friendly into a comfortable win. His movement and composure in the box stood out as Angers began to find their rhythm.

Usman Simbakoli (Angers) — A debut goal inside nine minutes is a fast start for the new signing. The forward, who began his career at Angers before leaving in 2020, showed he still knows where the goal is.

Sony Butrot (Les Herbiers) — The defensive midfielder took his goal well and was a steadying presence for the National 2 side, who more than held their own for long stretches.

By the numbers — interpreted

With no detailed match stats available from the friendly, the scoreline tells the story: Angers' 3-1 win reflects a second-half dominance that was absent in the opening 45 minutes. The 1-1 half-time scoreline suggests Les Herbiers were competitive early on, but the Ligue 1 side's superior fitness and quality told as the game wore on. Allevinah's brace — the second a clinical finish 11 minutes after his first — underscores the gap in finishing quality between the divisions.

What it means

For Angers, this is a solid if unspectacular start to pre-season. Dujeux's side have further friendlies lined up before the Ligue 1 campaign begins in August. Les Herbiers, who pushed their more illustrious neighbours hard for an hour, can take encouragement from their performance as they prepare for the National 2 season.

Angers' next pre-season fixture is scheduled for late July, with the Ligue 1 season kicking off in mid-August. Les Herbiers continue their preparations for the National 2 campaign, which begins in late August.

Verdict

A routine pre-season win for Angers, made convincing by Allevinah's second-half double. Les Herbiers proved awkward opponents for an hour but the gulf in class was inevitable. Encouraging signs for Dujeux, particularly from new signing Simbakoli and the sharp Allevinah.