North Cyprus Football : ESENTEPE WIN THE "BIG MATCH"

By Richard Beale……..

To dream………..the Impossible Dream, To fight…………..the unbeatable foe. To run……………where the brave dare not go.. To reach…………the unreachable star.

Some lyrics from the song “Impossible Dream’ which seems at the moment very apt as Esentepe’s Davut Kansu unfashionable team sit proudly at the top of League 1, looking down on Clubs that have more resources, more money and probably more talented players. But what they haven’t got is undying “TEAM SPIRIT “ and “BELIEF”.

Result : GÖNYELI SK 1 ESENTEPE KKSK 4

Sunday February 25^th, 2018 : K-Pet League 1 : Güzelyurt Üner Berkalp Stadium.

GÖNYELİ SK v ESENTEPE KKSK

Maybe it is a dream at the moment but I am still on Cloud 9 having witnessed last Sunday a magnificent team performance by Esentepe. Gönyeli League leaders before the game started were systematically destroyed and at the end they were left reeling and punch drunk by a rampant Esentepe team. Gönyeli have some fine players, talented, and were physically stronger than Esentepe, but Davut Kansu has instilled an unbreakable team spirit and belief that they can achieve anything. Gönyeli will be promoted at the end of the season I have no doubt about that. The revamped Üner Berkalp Stadium was looking at its best in the warm spring sunshine, the crowd was a little disappointing for a match of this importance. Gönyeli probably had around 75 fans, including a very enthusiastic school class of children.

Esentepe brought with them around 50 of their “hardcore’ supporters whose support became a major factor encouraging their team as the match progressed.

Esentepe started brightly in the opening 20 minutes and had a number of chances, to take the lead. Striker Ilkay maybe should have done better when presented with a couple of those chances.

Gradually Gönyeli with their twin “ baldies”, Raif and Sabri’ gradually started gaining control of the midfield forcing Esentepe back onto the defensive.

After a dangerous free kick that was charged down by Esentepe defenders it led to a corner which enabled Gönyeli to take the lead in the 27^th minute. Raif’s corner again led to a scramble in the goalmouth and a shot hit Eser’s hand in the melee and a penalty was awarded despite strong protests from Esentepe players. TALAT DAGER duly dispatched the penalty sending Kemal the wrong way. 1-0.

Esentepe hit back in the 40^th minute with a penalty of their own, after a long Muhammed free kick appeared to strike Ibrahım’s hand. The referee waved play on and it was only Esentepe players beseeching him to consult his linesman that he changed his mind and awarded Esentepe a penalty. Captain BAŞAK TÜMKAN powerfully struck home the penalty it was no more than Esentepe deserved for a plucky first half showing. HALF TIME SCORE : 1-1.

Action pıctures from the “Big Match”

The second half started very quietly but Gönyeli showed why they are League leaders forcing Esentepe back who were defending and tackling like Dervishes.

Esentepe stunned Gönyeli when they took the lead in the 49^th minute. From a Mahmut corner on the left Esentepe tall defender Onur caused confusion amongst the Gönyeli defence at the near post giving striker ILKAY the chance to head home for his first goal for Esentepe.1-2

Gönyeli were putting increasing pressure on Esentepe now, launching wave after wave of attacks. Esentepe defenders were flinging themselves with their bodies charging down countless shots. Gönyeli substitute Özgür put in a great run past two defenders before crossing the ball finding Tacettin the Ex Esentepe striker who sent in a fierce drive that cannoned off the Esentepe crossbar.

In the 68th minute a long ball from Eser caused the Gönyeli defence to hesitate, in nipped the quicksilver Esentepe winger AHMET KARAL who rounded Kemal in goal to score. 1-3.

Gönyeli now were becoming increasingly more and more frustrated resulting in missed place passes and they began arguing amongst themselves, which was a sure sign that Esentepe had rattled and unnerved them.

Basak should have made it 4-1 in the 75^th minute following another lightning break on the right by Ahmet who set Başak up, but from only a few yards out the Esentepe Captain managed to shoot wide of the goal.

Gönyeli now were pouring men forward as they desperately tried to breech Esentepe’s formidable defence, this left them wide open to the quick counter attacks led by the speedy Ahmet.

In the 90^th minute such an attack, with the Gönyeli defence all at sea enabled ESER the easy chance of scoring after again being set up by Ismail. FULL TIME SCORE 1-4