North Cyprus Football : Eser Double Wins It For Esentepe

By Richard Beale………..

Just like the young team in the match before, it took a late 85 minute winner for Esentepe to clinch a win and also propel them into a play off place.

Result: ESENTEPE KKSK 2 SERDARLI GB 1

Sunday March 26 2017 : K-Pet League 1 White Group : Esentepe Erdal Barut Stadium.

ESENTEPE KKSK – v – SERDARLI GB

A brace of goals by striker Eser Kan gave Esentepe a vital win and more importantly 3 vital points to send them into third place in the league. With Gönyeli beating Lapta in the other important match of the day, Esentepe need only a draw in their final match of the season. That final match is away to Lapta which will prove to be a show down. Lapta must win if they are to squeeze out Esentepe for that final play off place. Serdarlı on the other hand, are almost certain to be relegated. They must win their final match against Denizli and rely on results of other teams to avoid that fate. A large crowd was present for this “derby game” with a number of people making the journey over the mountains from Serdarlı.

League Table and ESER KAN (in white)- Esentepe’s goalscorer and “Man of the Match”

Esentepe started the game as if they meant business and had two scoring opportunities in the first 12 minutes. Firstly, after a clever move, İlyas cut into the box before sending over a cross which glanced off Eser’s head and landed just in front of Şahin at the far post. Then Muhammed found Tacettin on the edge of the box, the striker turned and created an opening for himself before sending in a fierce shot that cannoned off the Serdarlı far post and back into play.

Serdarlı are a strong and powerful team, namely Murat at the back, their Captain Efe in midfield and upfront they had the burly Serdar.

16 Minutes: Against the run of play Serdarlı took an unexpected lead with a goal that looked suspiciously off side. A cross came over to AHMET who had come back from an off side position, the Serdarlı player hit a first time shot that goalkeeper Ali could only help into the net.There was no reaction or signal given by the linesman regarding the off side and the goal stood. 0 – 1

Esentepe replied in the 28 Minute with a free kick taken by Eser just outside the box. His shot was pushed round the post by the diving Serdarlı goalkeeper Hasan who injured himself in the process.

46 Minutes: Out of the blue Esentepe equalised when Umar sent over a long cross which appeared to be going out until ESER standing on the goal line near the far post managed to get a foot to the ball and hook it past Hasan. HALF TIME 1 – 1

This goal was the tonic that Esentepe needed as they set about the second half in a purposeful mood searching for the winner.

65 Minutes: Eser created space for himself before curling a shot which went just wide of the far post.

72 Minutes: Eser again was involved. This time sending in a free kick which goalkeeper Hasan managed to parry onto the post and in the scramble afterwards, Uğurcan managed to prod the ball home only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper by Tacettin.

A draw for both sides would be no good at all as desperation now set in. The midfield was often bypassed as the long ball became more and more apparent. With five minutes to go, a long ball from Mahmut ended with a Serdarlı defender Levent missing his clearance, the ball bounced kindly to Tacettin who had Eser alongside him, both having a clear run on goal. Tacettin made progress in the area before passing to ESER who volleyed past goalkeeper Hasan to spark off further wild celebrations amongst the Esentepe supporters. Meanwhile Serdarlı supporters on seeing this goal started trudging off home, resigned to their Team’s fate. FULL TIME 2 -1

SUMMING UP

This would never be a classic match as the stakes for both teams were high. This was a hardworking performance by Esentepe who have now won their last three games. The team spirit that had briefly gone missing at the start of the year has now returned and the evidence is shown in the performance. A play off place is now within their grasp and only they can lose it in the last match of the season. There were no outstanding performances, it was a team effort but for his two goals, ESER was my man of the match (sorry no trophy or champagne, limited budget).