By Richard Beale …….
A typical “derby match*, competitive, ferocious, no love lost, no quarter given or asked for. in the end in a close fought match a draw was inevitable.
Result: ESENTEPE KKSK 0 DÖRTYOL SK 0
Saturday November 16, 2019 : K-Pet League 1 : Esentepe Erdal Barut Stadium.
My pre-match preview was nearly right, I predicted a close affair with the end result would probably be a draw ( I said 1-1). I also predicted that Dörtyol supporters would come in their coach loads and turn the Esentepe Erdal Barut Stadium into a sea of “green and white”. Sadly no, Dörtyol fans must be “homers” as only a small contingent of their massive following turned up for this match.
Basically two strong defences dominated the match, the midfield cancelled each other out. Both teams have found goalscoring a problem this season, both teams are in need of a “midfield general” to unlock the tightest of defences. Sadly this match did not deliver, plenty of effort, you cannot fault both teams for that. It was missing a “maestro, a conductor to orchestrate a little bit of flair in this match.
For the newcomers to the League, Dörtyol, this was a point gained, for Esentepe this was two points lost
Eyes on the ball! (Dörtyol in green)
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS :
Esentepe started the match brightly, dominating the opening 15 minutes, the only surprise was that they did not score in that period.
4 mins : Şükrü fastening onto the ball on the left, cut inside leaving defenders trailing before crossing to the near post, where Yakup got in a close range shot that was brilliantly tipped round the post by the diving Süleyman.
9 mins : Dörtyol replied with a shot from outside the area from Ayberk who brought a diving save from Onur.
12 mins : Esentepe two youngsters Öükrü and Mustafa Günlü combined well before the latter went into the box with only goalkeeper Süleyman to beat. The winger lifted his shot over the advancing goalkeeper only to see his effort somehow brilliantly headed off the line by Mustafa Tekpinar who got back to defend his line – world class defending!
After the opening 15 minutes dominated by the home team, Dörtyol got their act together forcing three corners which did not trouble the Esentepe defence. The remainder of the half was a disappointment as both teams cancelled each other out. HALF TIME SCORE : 0-0
58 mins : The hardworking Eray for Esentepe held the ball up well before creating space for himself and fired just over the Dörtyol crossbar.
60 mins : Esentepe had valid appeals for a penalty when Mustafa Günlü had his legs taken away from him by Mustafa Ali Arslan, but Referee Hüseyin Özkan was not impressed and waved play on.
66 mins : Likewise Dörtyol had penalty claims turned down as Ayberk appeared to be brought down by Uğurcan.
77 mins ; Ayberk for Dörtyol took a free kick from just outside the area which went just wide of Onur’s goal.
90 + mins : In injury time Esentepe were indebted to their goalkeeper Onur in making sure the home team came away with a point. Ayberk on the right cut inside along the area line, before squaring the ball up for Furkan Zengin who looked certain to score, but Onur flung himself to his left to push the ball away for a corner. Even Dörtyol players congratulated Onur at the end for his brilliant save. FULL TIME SCORE : 0-0
SUMMING UP : A fair result, a robust, blood and guts match, all smiles in the beginning, before the players started kicking their “friends” up in the air! 7 bookings, there is nothing like a “derby match”.
Video Match Highlights courtesy of Graham Procter-Brown
