By Richard Beale……..
ESENTEPE A2 TEAM- v -SERDARLI GB YOUNG TEAM
Esentepe who were losing 2-1 with 20 minutes to go showed why they are Champions, came back to win this thrilling match with a winner 5 minutes from the end.
Result : ESENTEPE A2 TEAM 3 – SERDARLI A2 TEAM 2.
Sunday March 27 2017: A2 BEYAZ LEAGUE : ESENTEPE ERDAL BARUT STADIUM.
The youngsters from both sides laid on an entertaining match for the large crowd that had gathered at the Stadium.
Captains Yilmaz and Tuğrulsan and right the Officials.
Esentepe took time to settle and it was Serdarlı who took an early lead in the 10th minute when Esentepe Captain Tuğrulsan handled in the box. YILMAZ successfully converted the penalty. 0-1.
26 mins : Esentepe equalised direct from a free kick through top scorer HÜRKAN.
The Esentepe striker was fouled just outside the box, he picked himself up and took the kick, sending it round the wall past an unsighted keeper. This was his of the season. 1-1.
Serdarlı goalkeeper Muhammet made a brilliant save tipping over a close range Emre backheader over the bar in the 38 minute. HALF TIME : 1-1.
At the start of the second half Esentepe keeper Kurşat was brought into action, twice saving with his feet. Esentepe gradually began turning the screw and Serdarlı were indebted to their goalkeeper Muhammet, firstly he pushed away a fierce angle drive from Hürkan for a corner and then following good work from Mustafa he brilliantly saved another Hürkan close range effort.
Against the run of play in the 71st minute Serdarlı took the lead, when ATAKAN was allowed to go unchallenged on the left, he cut inside and beat Kurşat at the far post with a low drive. 1-2.
Esentepe threw caution to the wind as they pushed players upfield in search of the equaliser.
77 mins : They deservedly equalised in the 77th minute through MUSTAFA GÜNLÜ who had started to influence the game, he collected a pass, and created a shooting opportunity for himself to send a fierce shot past Muhammet. 2-2.
85 mins : MEHMET AŞIKZADELER then scored the winning goal following a low shot into the net to send the team and supporters wild in their celebrations. FULL TIME : 3-2. After the match there were more happy celebrations as Esentepe were presented with the trophy.
SUMMING UP : Esentepe took time to get into their stride and Serdarlı made life difficult for them. Esentepe Coach Aras Övgün and Assistant Murat Bahadır must be congratulated on their achievements this season and there are some promising youngsters waiting in the wings. Last Seasons First team Coach Gokan Kim must also take some credit, as he gave opportunities at the end of last season to Kursat, Tuğrulsan, Mehmet, Mustafa, Hürkan and Emre first team experience. I think this season that experience has proved invaluable to the young team. I thought Esentepe best players against Serdarli was tall defender Onur and Emre Mutlu who again pulled the strings in midfield.
Successful Esentepe Coaches Aras and Murat
