ANKARAGUCU - OFF THE MARK AT LAST !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Ankaragucu churned out their first league win in 11 attempts yesterday to belatedly kick-start their season.

Ankaragucu 2 Karabuk 1

Despite their league position, Karabuk are no mugs, so it was a vital win in what was effectively a 'Six Pointer'.

Due to the early KO, we all met up inside The Stadium. Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Simon (no kanka name yet) and Husso Kanka. All things considered, it was an amazing turnout by Gecikondu and Maraton with both tribunes full and Gecikondu in fine voice pre-match and during the match. The away end was well represented with about 500 Karabukers and they even had the audacity to try and outsing Gecikondu !

On the Fashion Front, Damon was resplendent in his new black Italian boots which unfortunately didn't have any silver buckles. Oh well, at least he contrasted the black boots with his luvvlie white Ankaragucu scarf which drew lots of admiring glances from the supporters around us !!!

Back to footie and the team -

Ozden
Guven, Ediz, Aydin and Ozgur
Weeksie, Hurriyet, Umut and Murat
Tonia and Atilla

Substitutes used - Turgut, Ishak and Muhammed

Into the match then with both teams feeling each other out and then with only 7 minutes on the clock, the break through. An excellent solo effort from Atilla who received a through ball. He held off 2 defenders with his pace and tucked his shot low and hard into the corner for the opening goal.

30 minutes in and it was end to end stuff, although it's fair to say that Karabuk was enjoying most of the possession. Some panic defending from Ankaragucu, but Ozden dealt capably with everything that came his way.

At the other end, Atilla was The Lone Ranger with Tonia and Murat doing their best to support him, with the ocassional forages up front from Ozgur who is really developing into an excellent attacking full back. Tomic in the Karabuk goal also had an easy time and dealt with all the high balls being pumped in with Atilla being crowded out by the tall Karabuk defenders.

Into the 2nd half and Ankaragucu pressed forward from the whistle looking to kill the game off. Only 10 minutes in and we were all up cheering when Tonia scored a great headed 'goal'. Unfortunately, the Linesman had his flag up for offside ..... arrrrrgh !

Still Ankaragucu continued to attack and one minute later Atilla blasted over from about 3 yards out when a tap-in was all that was required.

Halfway through the 2nd half and Karabuk was coming back into the match more, but I have to praise the Ankaragucu defence for their performance yesterday. Ediz in particular was commanding in central defence, and I should also mention the role of Captain Hurriyet who played like a terrier and was a dynamo in midfield.

Then disaster struck on the 70th minute mark. The Effin Referee, Mr Muftuoglu, who had a shocker of a match, awarded a penalty to Karabuk for what we think was a handball by Guven. We didn't see it, but perhaps Nadeem can confirm one way or another. 'Olde boy' Ilhan stepped up and despatched a perfect spot-kick.

Mmmmmm ..... just as I was thinking another draw was on the cards, Tonia produced a piece of sheer magic to score from the tightest of angles to send us wild again.

The last 5 minutes of the match was sheer purgatory with Karabuk on all out attack searching for the equaliser, but the Ankaragucu defence stood their ground and the match ended in the Karabuk half with Ankaragucu attacking !

So, will this be the turning point in Ankaragucu's season when we look back and say ..... 'we avoided relegation after the Karabuk match' ? Best not to speculate yet, but to see how the team reacts next Sunday away in Eskisehir. Another win would really have the pulses racing !

Back we went to the Chopin to celebrate where we were joined by Maniac Kanka Harun and Cider Kanka John. Also have to mention a great quote from Simon during the 'Efes Haze' ...... he said ...... 'I have an intuitive warmth for Ankaragucu'. Nice one Simon !

Watching next Sunday's match in The Chopin and it will probably be an afternoon KO. I'll put the KO time up here in the comments section when known.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim