By Richard Beale…….
Preview :KARSIYAKA ASK v ESENTEPE KKSKSaturday November 19th :Kick off 2-30pm : K-Pet League 1
Saturday November 19th :Kick off 2-30pm : K-Pet League 1, White Group
Venue : Karşiyaka Stadium
By Richard Beale……
Unbeaten League Leaders Esentepe face bottom but one Club Karşiyaka, at the home side’s compact Stadium.
Karşiyaka who have played one match less than Esentepe are still awaiting their first win of the season. They lost their opening fixture of the season 4-1 to Girne Halk Evi, drew 2-2 at home to Tatlısu and lost 2-0 away to Gönyeli last week. During the summer they brought in at least 7 new players, so maybe they are taking time to settle down. Karşiyaka I think are in a false position, they are down and hurt at the moment and I hope Esentepe will not feel a backlash.
Esentepe KKSK League Leaders
Confident Esentepe’s preparations for this match started on Tuesday, when Coach Davut Kansu organised a “friendly match“ against “Supa League Club L Gençler Birliği. The match gave the opportunity for both Clubs to give their squad players and some from the youth team a run out. This proved very useful as players like Tuğrul, Reşat, Mehmet Bebek and Burak were given some much needed match practice. The result, which didn’t really matter was a 4-2 win for the “Supa League” side, with Esentepe goals coming from Reşat and Uğurcan.
Esentepe on Saturday will be without teenager Emre Soytürk, sent off last weekend against Tatlısu, he is suspended for this match. His place will be the only change Esentepe will make, in contention for that place will be injured players Umar and Mahmut. Both players didn’t take part in the friendly match but were at the Stadium training. Esentepe I understand will also prepare for the match by staying overnight in Alşancak. The Coach is trying to prepare the team for the match in a professional way. You may think it a waste of money, but it will be more than justified if the team come back to Esentepe on Saturday night with 3 points in the bag.
TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE:
Matches between Karşiyaka and Esentepe are very few and far between, so last season’s match was the first for many a season.
RESULT : KARŞIYAKA ASK 0 ESENTEPE KKSK 1
It was the late late show for Esentepe as they stole the match in the 93rd minute with a goal from substitute Başak. Deep into injury time 2 Karşiyaka defenders got into a tangle clearing the ball which ran invitingly back to Başak to volley in. This was the 3rd week running that Esentepe would score in injury time to either save or win matches.
ESENTEPE TEAM : Tuğrul (gk) : Barış, Nersin, Berkan, Emek : Mehmet (E. Soytürk 55), Mahmut, Muhammed, Umar (Eşref 88): Emrah (Başak 67), Eser.
Match played on : Sat 27th February 2016.
Memories of Last Season’s Match
The Karşiyaka Stadium, the last word I use loosely is a very small Stadium which is fenced in all round very close to the pitch. There is one small stand, though most of the “home” support prefer to watch the match from the grassy slope above the dug outs. Us Press (another word used very loosely) can watch the game from the wooden “prisoner of war“ sentry box on the half way line. Good news for everybody there is now a small canteen and real toilets (before it was behind the bushes!).
CURRENT FORM: Karşiyaka : L D L : Esentepe : W D W W.
PREDICTIONS :
Karşiyaka are wounded, hurt, but still must command respect. It could be a potential skid pan for Esentepe, but I think with the team spirit and confidence we now have a 3-0 win for us.
Other “experts” : 2 jags 2-1 Esentepe win : Pothole Pete : 3-1 Esentepe win : Burl Ives: 1-1
