North Cyprus Football : Thriller In The Sun At Esentepe

Result: ESENTEPE KKSK 3 GÖNYELİ SK 3

Sunday November 27 2016 : K-Pet League 1 White Group : Esentepe Erdal Barut Stadium.

By Richard Beale……….

Esentepe are still league Leaders but only just as Gönyeli were very impressive and deserved to share the points. It looked like Esentepe would steal all 3 points when they regained the lead with a late goal from Firat but Gonyeli scored in injury time to equalise.

This was Esentepe’s first Sunday match of the season, and on another glorious sunny afternoon the crowd was a little disappointing. Probably because a number of locals were off hunting and of course Ex pats would be eating their Sunday Roast.

Gönyeli took the lead with their first attack following a corner in the 4^th minute. Ulaş kick glanced off the head of Nasuh where it was met at the far post by Reşat who slotted home past Ali. This was Esentepe’s first goal that the defence had conceded this season from open play. 0-1.

It was all Gonyeli as Esentepe were very sluggish Ulas out thought Firat near the left hand touchline before sending over a cross that Mehmet shot over the bar.

Esentepe woke up and had two efforts themselves firstly Eser volleyed just wide of the far post and then Burak tried his luck with a left footed shot wide.

Esentepe equalised in the 25^th minute, when following a cross from Tacettin , BAŞAK unmarked near the penalty spot poked the ball past Kemal to record his first goal of the season. Gönyeli appealed to the officials that Başak was offside but to no avail. 1-1.

26 minutes and the League leaders were in front, a brilliant long ball into the area from Muhamed found TACETTİN again unmarked and he clinically slotted the ball past Kemal to score his 5^th goal of the season. 2-1.

Gönyeli were almost caught out again when following a long free kick from Ali, that found Tacettin and Nasuh competing for the ball, the Esentepe striker managed to get in a shot in which the Gonyeli keeper managed to block with his legs.

Esentepe would be happy to go into the break in the lead, they were not at their best and Gönyeli who threatened at times were definitely not out of the game. HALF TIME :2-1.

Esentepe replaced Burak during the break with Emre Soyturk.

Gönyeli were quickly out of the blocks with substitute Ahmet forcing Ali into a fine diving save, the Esentepe keeper flinging himself across goal to palm away a fierce shot.

Gönyeli didn’t have to wait long for their equaliser. In the 51st minute full back Mentes burst into the Esentepe area to put over a hard low cross finding Ahmet to shoot the ball, which appeared to take a deflection off Nersin and past Ali. 2-2.

Ahmet was looking very impressive linking up with the equally impressive Ulaş and causing anxiety to the Esentepe defence.

However Esentepe rallied and took the lead in the 78^th minute, following an Ilyas free kick which was headed goalwards by Başak. Goalkeeper Kemal managed to parry the ball, only to FIRAT following up poked the ball in, sparking off wild celebrations from the team and supporters. 3-2.

But Gönyeli would not lie down, again Ulaş and Ahmet being involved, this time Ahmet just lobbed the ball over Ali’s crossbar.

Gönyeli should have equalised on 85 minutes, when following a long throw in the ball came off Nersin’s foot straight to Reşat standing only a few yards out, but the midfielder blasted his shot over Ali’s bar.

It looked like Esentepe would escape with the points as the game entered into 3 minutes of injury time. There appeared no danger when İlksen collected the ball on the far left of Esentepe’s goal area, he was allowed to turn by Muhamed and he put a low shot, which crept into Ali’s net at the near post. FULL TIME : 3-3.

SUMMING UP : Obviously the team were a little down and deflated after the match, it was disappointing to concede a soft goal at the death. Justice was done in the end there was no way Gönyeli deserved to leave without something. They are in a false position in the table and I can see them climbing the League soon. Esentepe again were not at their best, they haven’t been for the last 3 matches but credit to them their team spirit is getting them through difficult matches. There is no doubt about it they are missing the injured Uğurcan. He is the sort of player that lifts a team and the crowd with his ‘never say die attitude’. Dispite not having total command of the midfield, HÜSEYIN again impressed in midfield, being Esentepe best player. He just edged out Muhamed who had a fine game at right back, but was partly at fault with Gönyeli’s last goal.

ESENTEPE TEAM : (4-4-1-1, replacements in brackets, merit marks out of 10)

Ali 6 (gk) 6 : Muhamed 7, Firat 6, Nersin 6, Mahmut 6 : Burak 6 (Emre Soytürk 45 mins) : İlyas 7, HÜSEYIN 8, Eser 5 (Umar 65 mins : Başak 7 (Mehmet Bebek 85) , Tacettin 7 :

Esentepe replacements not used : Tuğrul (gk), Emrah, Derman, Tuğrulsan.

Esentepe Goalscorers: Tacettin, Fırat and Başak

Fırat Celebrating his goal  KPet League 1 Table

RESULT :ESENTEPE YOUNG TEAM A2 WHITE GROUP :

ESENTEPE KKSK 1 GÖNYELI SK 3.

Esentepe youngsters were completely outplayed and outclassed by a very impressive Gonyeli team. For Gonyeli Senol Palaz scored a hat trick, one from the penalty spot. Esentepe scored a consolation goal in the 89^th minute through substitute EGE CAN AÇIKPORTAKALI. To cap a miserable day for the youngsters they lost goalkeeper Kurşat Çil with a serious knee injury as he tried to prevent Gönyeli’s third goal .

ESENTEPE NEXT MATCH : No game next weekend. it will give the team a chance to regroup, rest and give some of those niggling injuries a chance to recover.

Esentepe may arrange a friendly match but no details yet.

They are next in League action on Sunday December 11^th, away to Denizli SK at Denizli Stadium. Ko 2-30pm.

Please watch a match highlights video by Graham Brown below and to read more of his news on Esentepe Community please click here