Northern Cyprus Football
Bah Humbug Scrooge At Esentepe
News report from Rich’s Sport………
By Graham Brown and Richard Beale…….
There were no presents for Esentepe as Dumlupınar played the perfect Ebeneezer Scrooge role, to make this an unhappy start to the festival season. A 34th minute header from defender Turgut was enough for the visitors to take all 3 points. Esentepe huffed and puffed but could not blow Dumlupınar’s house down.
Result : ESENTEPE KKSK 0 DUMLUPINAR TSK 1.
Sunday December 20th 2015: K-Pet League 1: @ Esentepe Erdal Barut Stadium.
Weather : Dry/sunny occasional cloud.
Esentepe colours: Red/white checked shirts, black shorts/socks.
Dumlupınar colours : A flashy yellow strip with red trimmings, red socks.
This was the last weekend of League action before the Winter break and a very disappointing of around 80 spectators (incl. 10 Ex-Pats) were present to witness this clash of the League’s in form teams.
As expected Esentepe recalled the now available İlyas Nıyazı, but instead of taking up his normal position in midfield he surprisingly partnered Eser upfront, with Başak dropping to the bench.
Third in the table Dumlupınar looked very strong and imposing with a number of their players well over 6 feet. Striker Coşkun, must have been at least 6ft 4 inches and powerfully built as well, while his fellow striker Hikmet was at least 6ft 2 inches.
After a quiet start Dumlupınar took the lead virtually with their first chance of the half in the 34th minute. They were awarded a free kick on the left, which was taken by Ridvan, defender Turgut in a pack of players rose well to send a powerful header inside the diving Sergen’s right hand post. 0-1.
Just before Half-time an opportunity fell to both sides, first Dumlupınar giant striker Coşkun crashed a powerful shot from 25 yards just wide of Esentepe’s right hand post. Esentepe replied with a first half injury time corner taken by Umar, which was partially cleared, the ball fell to Emek standing just outside the area, and he flashed a powerful shot just wide. The first half was poor with Esentepe just about shading it, plan A with the experiment of playing İlyas up front was not working as he looked out of sorts, time for Plan B. H-T 0-1.
During the break Esentepe’s Coach, Gokan Kim, did resort to Plan B, bringing on striker Başak, but to me rather than playing Ilyas in his normal position in central midfield, he decided to replace İlyas. Dumlupınar Coach, Sedat Devecioğlu, who during the first half had been prowling up and and down the touchline in his overcoat, looking a lot like Ex Spurs and Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, held a huddle on the pitch with his team. Afterwards they looked like they meant business, lining up with a 4-3-3 formation, pushing up front leading goalscorer Ridvan who had a quiet first half.
Immediately Ridvan was involved in the action, as Esentepe lost possession of the ball just outside their goal area, the ball was pushed through to him, and as Esentepe keeper came out to meet him, the 7 goal striker shot past him, but the ball struck the left-hand post and was scrambled away.
Esentepe struck back, following a good move between Kaan and Emek on the left in the 52 minute. Emek’s cross was met in the middle by Eser who sent a glancing header wide.
The Pantomime season arrived in the 55th minute as Dumlupınar again struck the Esentepe woodwork. Esentepe’s Emek attempting to clear the ball, completely missed his kick, the ball ran to a surprised Hikmet who miss hit his shot tamely, the ball trickled past a startled Serkan hit the right hand post again out to Coşkun standing about 4 yards out who somehow managed to slice his shot right across the Esentepe goal, but just as it happened the referee had blown up for offside, much to the relief of Esentepe.
Esentepe’s best chance of the match came in the 66th minute, following a good move down the left. Kaan who had been very quiet fastened onto a Burak pass, produced a piece of magic beating 2 players before sending over a perfect cross to the unmarked Başak. The striker normally so good in the air only had to nod the ball into the net but somehow headed wide of the post.
After that chances were very few and far between. F-T :0-1.
SUMMING UP : A well organised and committed Dumlupınar side deserved to win. They look like this season they can maintain a push for promotion. Esentepe were not at their best today, too many players were not on their game, and at times they looked disjointed. The Coach has done wonders during the last 3 matches to restore morale and confidence, but today I thought he made an error by playing İlyas out of position. It’s easy to sit in the stands and be critical, as the Coach has done well with limited resources. Esentepe finished the first half of the season in 9th place on 16 points, still in the relegation “play out” places, but it is a better position than we were in a month ago.
ESENTEPE TEAM : (4-4-2, sub appearances in brackets, marks out of 10)
SERKAN 7 : Bariş 6 (Salih 85 mins), Berkan 5, Nersin 6, Emek 5 : Umar 5, Mahmut 5, Burak 6, Kaan 5 : İlyas 4 (Başak 45 mins 4), Eser 5 (Mehmet 75 mins).
Replacements not used :
Kürşat (gk), Tugay, Eşref, Asil.
LEAGUE TABLE :
Pos Pts Goal diff.
08 : Göçmenköy 18 +3
09 : ESENTEPE 16 -2
10 : Baf Ülkü Yurdu 15 +2
11 : Hamitköy 15 -4
12 : Gorneç 10 -12
13 : Gönyeli 9 -34
14 : Lapta 4 -22
ESENTEPE LEAGUE SEASON 2015-16 :
26-09-15 : Gençlk Gücü A 2-2 Başak, Emek (pen)
03-10-15 : DENIZLI H 0-0
10-10-15 : Hamitköy A 2-2 Kaan, Eser
17-10-15 : KARŞIYAKA H 0-3
25-10-15 : Düzkaya A 1-2 Kaan
31-10-15 : GIRNE HALK EVI H 0-0
07-11-15 : Göçmenköy A 1-2 Eser
14-11-15 : GÖRNEÇ H 3-2 Firat og, Eser, Emrah
21-11-15 Gönyeli A 1-2 Emek (p)
28-11-15 : LAPTA H 2-1 Umar, Kaan
06-12-15 : Yalova A 3-1 Başak. Burak. Kaan
12-12-15 : Baf Ülkü Yurdu A1-0 Eser
20-12-15 : DUMLUPINAR H0-1
LEAGUE APPEARANCES (sub apps in brackets ). Max 13.
13 : Mahmut, Emek : 12 : Nersin, Burak, Kaan : 11 : İlyas (1) : 10 : Serkan (2), Umar (2), Berkan (2) : 8 : Eser (5), Vurkan : 7 : Başak (2) : 6 : Salih (3) : Bariş (2) : 3 : Tuğrul : 2 : Emrah (7) : 1 :
Mehmet (6), Aziz (2), Tugay (1), Aras (1).
GOALS :
4 : Kaan, Eser : 2 : Emek (2 pen), Başak 1: Umar, Burak, Emrah, plus 1 own goal = 16.
Due to the bad weather the Under 19 teams fixture was postponed.
Esentepe will play again next weekend in the PEPSI-COLA CUP (draw taking place this week), I will let you know when and who we are drawn against in due course.
The K-Pet League recommences end of January 2016.
