By Richard Beale………..
Preview : SERDARLI GB v ESENTEPE KKSK
Saturday 21 January 2017 : K-Pet League 1 White Group : kick off 2-30pm : Venue : Serdarlı 14 Ağustos Sahası.
Serdarlı GB -v- Esentepe KKSK
Finally after nearly 3 weeks the mid season winter’s break is over and Esentepe return to League action with an away fixture at Serdarlı. This fixture is a rearranged match, which was originally scheduled to be played on Christmas Day, luckily for me the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The venue has also changed with the game now being played at Serdarlı 14 Ağustos Sahası, this is the first time this season that this Stadium has been used due to the pitch being dug up and resurfaced. Serdarlı have shared their home matches this season at Gorneç and Turunçlu.
Its nice to see Serdarlı playing football again as they have been suspended from the League for 2 seasons in a dispute with the KTFF Football Federation. Before their ban in 2013-14 they were playing in the Supa League, the Club then disbanded but thankfully differences have now been resolved and the Club has been resurrected and allowed to play in League 1. The season however did not start well for them, they lost their first match, sacked their Coach after that game and brought in the current Coaches’ Eray Altınaşli and Murat Ecersoy. This at first, did not go as planned with the team losing their next 4 matches to send them bottom of the League. Then a transformation took place with Serdarlı winning 3 out of 4 matches and drawing the other one, resulting a climb up the table into 8th place. The break came at a wrong time for Serdarlı as they were on a roll with momentum, unbeaten in four matches, then came the winter break, so they must start over again.
The same could be said for Esentepe after a dodgy spell, they showed some of their early season form in the 2-1 win over Lapta in the last match before the winters break. Esentepe will still be without midfielder Hüseyin Ermiş who has one more match to serve after being sent off. Esentepe have given a trial to one of their Ex players Şahin Şeker who last played for them in season 2010-11. Şahin was transferred to Lapta for 40.000TL and has enjoyed Supa League football. He was then transferred to Bostançi Bağil and Yalova. He then suffered injuries, lost his way and drifted out of football. Şahin 26 is not a tall player, but good in the air, he can play in central defence, full back and in midfield. He is a very experience and competitive player, very aggressive and if he is in the right frame of mind, he could become a valuable asset in Esentepe’s promotion push.
DOWN MEMORY LANE (The last time the sides met).
Season 2011-12 : 19/2/2012 : SERDARLI GB 2 ESENTEPE KKSK 1.
Serdarlı took the lead in the 19th minute through Serdar, Esentepe equalised 10 minutes later with a KAAN goal. Serdarlı snatched the winner in the 87th minute with a goal by Özgur. Ali in Esentepe’s goal had an outstanding match, overhaul Esentepe deserved at least a point. Serdarlı included Ex Esentepe player and now Esentepe Assistant Coach Barış . At the end of the season Serdarlı would finish 2nd in the League and gain promotion to the Supa League, Esentepe just missed out on the promotion play offs finishing in 7th place.
ESENTEPE TEAM : Ali (gk) : Hasan, Berkan, Oğuz, Emek : Umar, Kaan (Halil 66), Hüseyin, Vurkan, Burak (Eser 52) : Emrah (Nersin 80).
CURRENT FORM : Serdarlı WDWWLL: Esentepe : WDLDWW.
What the experts predict : 2 jags 2-1 Esentepe win. Sabrerich :2-1 Esentepe win, its a very important match for Esentepe and we must win, for us to return to 2nd spot in the League.
DIRECTIONS TO STADIUM : Serdarlı is a town/village on the main Lefkoşa/Iskele road about 10/15 minutes from the Ercan Airport junction. The Stadium is on the main road opposite the garage, plenty of car parking spaces. Refreshments/toilets available.
ESENTEPE FUTURE FIXTURES :
Wednesday 25th Jan : Bostançi Bağil SK : HOME : Esentepe Erdal Barut Stadium.
Sunday 29th Jan : Ozanköy SK : AWAY : : Ozanköy Mustafa Özkayim Stadi.
Saturday 4th Feb :Girne Halk Evi : HOME : Esentepe Erdal Barut Stadium
Sunday 12th Feb : Tatlisu HOSK : AWAY : Beyerbeyi Dr Ali Özsoy Stadi.
Saturday 18th Feb :Karşiyaka SK : HOME : Esentepe Erdal Barut Stadium.
ALL KICK OFFS 2-30PM.
