By Richard Beale….

A fortunate own goal in the 70th minute by Geçitkale defender Ekral gave Esentepe the match points but it was tough on the visitors who deserved a draw.

Results: ESENTEPE KKSK 2 GEÇİTKALE GSK 1

Sunday October 23, 2023: AKSA League 1: Esentepe Erdal Barut Stadium

Weather: Warm and sunny.

Esentepe turned in their worst performance of the season but still managed to come away with all 3 points in this tough Derby Match against neighbours Geçitkale.

It has taken Geçitkale 8 seasons to return to League 1 after gaining promotion from the BTM League 1 last season and its great to see them back. Being a local Derby a large crowd was present at the Stadium again, with the Geçitkale bringing with them a large following. Both sets of supporters brought their drums so it was a very noisy atmosphere the fans generated.

All fans were silent as teams and supporters observed an impeccable minute silence in remembrance of the lives lost in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Esentepe started brightly forcing the Geçitkale goalkeeper Hasan into a couple of diving saves early on.

Esentepe's early pressure paid off as they took the lead in the 8th minute following an Ege corner from the left EMRE MUTLU slotted home from close range. 1-0

Yusuf was very prominent for Esentepe putting in a couple of shots from outside the area with brought Hasan into action.

Esentepe was the better team in the opening 30 minutes, just after the water break in the 33rd minute following an Emek corner, Devran headed just wide of the right-hand post.

Yusuf had another shot from outside the area which was saved by the diving Hasan, immediately Geçitkale broke away with a lightning break to the right by Yekta his cross was brilliantly met by the head of veteran goal poacher IRFAN BOŞNAK to equalise. 1-1

This goal rattled Esentepe and was against the run of play.

In injury time Geçitkale broke away quickly again this time Irfan on the right crossed just in front of the in rushing Yekta.

HALF TIME SCORE: 1-1

Tricky winger Enes Aktaş was causing problems to the Esentepe defence, he seemed comfortable on either wing.

Early in the second half, he outstripped Oğuz on the left cut inside and it took a save from Esentepe goalkeeper Ahmet with his feet to deny the winger a goal.

Esentepe came close to taking the lead in the 55th minute when they were awarded a free kick on the right just outside the box. “My trusting left foot” Emek took the free kick seeing his shot strike the crossbar.

67 minutes Esentepe had a let off Emre Can eased his way past Mahmut and Devran, got to the left-hand byline, and his cross was deflected off Oğuz into the path of Irfan who somehow managed to screw his shot past the right-hand post from close range.

Esentepe had lost their way, void of ideals you could not see where a goal was coming from as the visitors continued to looked the likely team to score.

In the 70th minute, Esentepe regained the lead with a very fortunate goal, Yusuf sent substitute Semih away on the left and his cross was spectacularly headed into his own net by defender Ekral Eksi. 2-1

Geçitkale had the ball in the Esentepe net following another lightning break but Cemil was adjudged offside.

Despite being the home team Esentepe was forced back and had often 5 defenders at the back.

The match exploded in the 85th minute when a previously booked Deniz Kibar was involved in a touchline incident with Hüseyin Yeşilbaş and was shown a second yellow card. A clearly frustrated Deniz had to be escorted from the field also Burak on the Esentepe bench was also red-carded for getting involved.

Esentepe had lost their rag and concentration and Emek was booked for a wild tackle as Geçitkale pressed for the equaliser.

With 5 defenders at the back, Esentepe only had Yusuf up front to relieve any pressure and he was running himself into the ground for the team.

In injury time Geçitkale had a couple of half chances that were saved by the diving Ahmet.

FULL-TIME SCORE; 2-1

SUMMING UP: An “ugly” win is a fortuitous win but 3 important points that has put the team in 4th place in the League. If you can win when you are not playing well it says something about the character and spirit of the team.

Ahmet in goal had a sound match making some crucial saves, Emre Mutlu though not back to his “all action” best after missing most of the pre-season with injury is getting there, worked hard and poached another goal.

Forward YUSUF OYİT still waiting for his first goal, put in a couple of long-range efforts but one thing about him is he works his socks off for the team and was my MAN OF THE MATCH for Esentepe.

ESENTEPE TEAM: Ahmet (gk) ; Mahmut, Devran (Nersin 84), Oğuz, Emek (c) : Tuğra (Semih 65), Salih, Ege Can (Mehmet Ada 73) : Emre : Deniz, YUSUF.

Replacements not used; Onur, Şahin, Gökdeniz, Dinçer, Hüseyin, Okan, Burak.

GEÇİTKALE TEAM: Hasan (gk) ; Ali (Cemil 65), Erkal, Hüseyin Yeşilbaş , Muhammet, Hüseyin Özbilen (Emre 46), Mehmet (Vedat 77), Rifat (Cağrı Mert 65), ENES (Arif 77), Yekta, Irfan.

Red Cards: Deniz (85), Burak (85)

Yellow cards: Emek (Esentepe)

Referee: Tufan Çercioğlu - good.

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https://cyprusscene.com/2023/10/24/lucky-esentepe-take-all-3-points-with-an-own-goal/