It wasn't pretty but Gencler take the three points

It wasn't one of the big Istanbul teams and it wasn't the best football I've ever seen but last's nights win over Karabuk is quite a boost for Gencler. The game had flashes of brilliance but the severe problems we have at the back were there for all to see.

Genclerbirligi 2 - 1 Karabukspor

Lots of sport for me on Saturday. First up was Little Oz Kanka's football at Balgat, then off to the Red Lion Club for the 11:30 start of the Australia-Ireland rugby match (don't ask me about it), a quick nap at home and then off to the Beer Bus to find me all alone with just a beer and the paper to keep me company (Posta really is a crap newspaper).

Not to worry. Caught up with Ertank and we made our way into the stadium. Maraton was pretty much full but the depression that most Gencler fans have at the moment was evident in that there were about six people watching from the Gecekondu stand.

Gencler started out well. With Zec, Azofaifa and Harbuzi all on the pitch, much to our surprise they had all been left on the bench last week, Gencler coach Fuat Capa was obviously looking to attack. Attack they did with various half chances created right from the off. Karabuk was looking totally lost. In about the 19th Zec threaded a lovely ball through the centre to the young Yasin who smashed it in. 1-0 up and Gencler kept on attacking.

It wasn't brilliant football and no one had a brilliant game really. Stupid decisions were being made and Karabuk should really have been put to the sword. Still at least we were attacking and it paid off when Oktay Delibalti managed to get past two or three players close to the line, Hursut was waiting for it but Oktay's pass was crap. Luck was with us though as the ball came off a Karubuk player and Hursut got back quickly and scored.

Half-time and Gencler should have been up by more.

The half-time talk must have been pretty hopeless because Gencler came out and were rubbish for the first 15 minutes or so. Our defence had holes galore and it was only thanks to our keeper, the post at times and some rubbish shots from Karabuk that kept us in it, until the 50th when Karabuk scored after we failed to clear our lines.

We seemed to get back into rhythm not much longer after that and towards the end we had some decent chances. Match said and done and we were happy as were the Gencler players. I'm still not convinced we have a side that will trouble the big guys this season. A good team on its day would have put five or six past Karabuk. Gencler are clearly not a good team at the moment. Still, I'll take the three points any day.

By the way. Not once during the match did one of the medics have to come on to treat a player. So why the hell was five minutes of stoppage time played? Bloody hopeless.