By Richard Beale ……
Esentepe’s second friendly match of the season saw them comprehensively thumped by Lefkoşa giants Küçük Kaymaklı (nickname the Forest). Still it was only a practice match the score doesn’t really matter!
Result : ESENTEPE KKSK 1 KÜÇÜK KAYMAKLI TSK 5
Tuesday 14 August : Tatlisu Rauf Raif Denktaş Stadium
The visitors employed a “cunning plan” playing their “C” team in the first half which was fairly even with the Forest only being 1-0 up at half time. After the break they employed their “A” team and they dominated the second half, scoring four times and really they should have scored more, but suffered from poor finishing.
Esentepe dominated the opening exchanges having two chances to take the lead. Odi one of the two Nigerian trialists forced a good save from the K. Kaymaklı keeper. The other trialist Eric shot just wide in another good raid.
It was against the run of the play that the visitors took the lead in the 20th minute, a cross from the left was not cleared and ARDA hooked his shot past goalkeeper Onur.
Esentepe had a great chance to equalise in the 40th minute when Odi put clean through and only the goalkeeper to beat, shot wide.
During the break both teams made a number of changes with K. Kaymaklı introducing their “A” team. Esentepe were without twin stoppers Ishmet and Eren who impressed in the first match against Girne Halk Evi. Unfortunately Esentepe’s makeshift defence was overrun in the second half, grease lightning forward ASARE scoring a hat trick in the 50th,76th and 90th minutes.
Küçük Kaymaklı striker ASARE scoring two of his three goals
Esentepe’s goal came in the 74th minute when midfielder Yakup did well to win the ball in the visitors goal area and square it across for HÜRKAN GORNEÇLI to score, his third goal in two matches.
Küçük Kaymaklı’s fourth goal was scored by RIFAT in the 83rd minute, again the Esentepe defence being cut to shreds.
Once again a useful work out for both teams, Esentepe gave match play to all of their available players. Trialist Odi, impressed in the first half, he is very quick but needs to compose himself more in front of goal. Canadian/Cypriot Edis playing first of all at left back, then in midfield showed some useful touches. Teenager Yakup again was very impressive in midfield and was the pick of the Esentepe team.
