Result : MORMENEŞKE GB 2 ESENTEPE KKSK 2
Sunday October 1, 2017 : K-Pet League 1 :
Venue : Mormeneşke Cemal Balses Stadium.
By Richard Beale………..
A 93rd minute equaliser by Ahmet Karal gave Esentepe a valuable away point at a noisy and packed Cemal Balses Stadium.
Mormeneşke will be kicking themselves for not killing the game off and taking all 3 points. They dominated the match for around three quarters of the game, then suddenly took their foot off the gas allowing a plucky Esentepe side back in with a chance to save the match. Esentepe grasped this opportunity with both hands, gained control of the midfield and pushed Mormeneşke back into their own half for the final 20 minutes. In the end they probably deserved a point for a courageous and battling display.
The Stand at the Cemal Balses Stadium
Mormeneşke who have been a Supa League team for the last 4 seasons, are probably the “bookies favourites” to reclaim there Premier League status this season.
Esentepe started the match very nervously and Mormeneşke dominated the opening exchanges with their midfielders Ali Küçükoğlu, Ali Bayır and Gökay looking impressive and very sharp.
It was no surprise when they took the lead in the 14th minute through their leading goalscorer. TURGUT KACAR. Esentepe lost possession following a throw in, Ali Küçükoğlu exchanged passes with Turgut, leaving the striker in the clear and he calmly slotted the ball pass Kemal. Score 1-0.
Out of the blue and with their first attack of the match, Esentepe equalised in the 22nd minute with a superbly worked goal. Near their left hand touchline a clever back heel by Başak found the overlapping İsmail, and he put over a fine low cross that was turned into the net with aplomb by TURAN. Scorew 1-1.
Mormeneşke continued to pin Esentepe back in their own half and always look dangerous. A Gökay free kick had Esentepe’s goalkeeper Kemal scrambling across his line to palm the ball away. Then the same player volleyed over the Esentepe bar after good work from Turgut and Ali Küçükoğlu.
Action pictures from the match
It really came as no surprise when Mormeneşke regained the lead in lead in the 41st minute and it was a brilliantly worked goal. The very impressive Gökay threaded an inch perfect pass through to TURGUT to finish clinically pass Kemal. This was the strikers second goal of the match and his fifth of the season. HALF TIME Score : 2-1.
Esentepe started the second half better forcing a couple of corners. But Turan who was full of running, playing the lone striker role was getting very little service to work on.
Esentepe Coach Davut Kansu, had seen enough making a double substitution in the 60th minute. Başak and İsmail being replaced by the younger Yakup and Muhammed. He also made a couple of tactical switches and suddenly Esentepe were on the up, as Mormeneşke seemed to be content to hang on to their lead.
They replaced their Captain Ali Bayır who had been outstanding as a covering midfielder in the 73rd minute. This I believe was an error as suddenly Hüseyin for Esentepe in midfield was finding space and started making the most of it.
More action pictures from the match
The Esentepe Coach final throw of the dice was to replace Turan who had run himself into the ground with 18 year old striker Hürkan. The young teenager had a chance in the last minute but hurriedly snatched at a cross and the opportunity was lost.
With the game deep into 4 minutes of injury time, following a free kick Eser shot hit the far post the ball rebounding across the goal to AHMET KARAL to win the race with goalkeeper Ahmet to prod the ball in at the near post. This brought wild celebrations from the players and ecstatic Esentepe supporters. Their was barely time left for referee Emre blew for full time. FULL TIME Score : 2-2.
SUMMING UP :
A very valuable and precious point against an impressive Mormeneşke team. Esentepe were not at their best, but they have a great team spirit and never know when they are beaten. Mormeneşke have only themselves to blame as they should have killed the game off earlier.
NERSIN for me was Esentepe “MAN OF THE MATCH”, calling on all his experience and awareness to thwart the dangerous Mormeneşke forwards. Good tactical substitutions also by the Coach, as fresh legs gave the impetus that Esentepe needed.
Defender NERSIN OSMAN and Esentepe “Man of The Match”
ESENTEPE TEAM : (4-4-1-1, marks out of 10)
Kemal (gk)7 : Emre 6, Onur 6, NERSIN 8, İsmail 6 (Muhammed 60) : Ahmet 6, Mahmut 5, Hüseyin 6, Eser 5 : Başak 6 ( Yakup 60) : Turan 7 (Hürkan 72).
Esentepe replacements not used : Kurşat (gk), Hasan Sungur, Kubılay Asil Arif.
MORMENESKE TEAM :
Ahmet (gk): Kenan, Mehmet, Fethin, Ali Bayır ( Burak 73), Emre (Ahmet Arıtas 90), Mehmetali, Can. GÖKAY, Ali Küçükoğlu, Turgut (Cemre 76)
REFEREE : Emre Öztaşlı – Excellent,
Booked : İsmail (Esentepe).
ESENTEPE NEXT MATCH :
Sunday October 8th : 3-30pm : Home v LAPTA TBSK @ Esentepe Erdal Barut Stadium.
ALL PHOTOS : Richard Beale.
Discover more from CyprusScene.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
