ANKARAGUCU - BAYRAM PUTS UP THE SHUTTERS

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

Ankaragucu withstood an onslaught from Gaziantep for the most of the match, and but for some heroics from Bayram, and some woeful finishing from Antep, it could have been a slaughter.

It was one-way traffic for the most part, but yet again, the 'Youth Team' gave their all for the 90 minutes. Aydin was also a hero in central defence and he held his line together throughout.

Gaziantepspor 1 Ankaragucu 0

I should mention that we saw lots of 'olde boys' in Antep colours last night. Of course, much travelled, and ex-Ankaragucu Coach, Hikmet Karaman, also playing last night was El-Yasa, Turgut Dogan and ex-Ankaragucu Captain Sapara.

Team -

Bayram, Aydin, Umit, Volkan, Bilal, Mehmet, Veli, Serkan, Muhammed, Gokhan and Sinan.

Substitutes - Mert, Kaan and Atilla

Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Cider Kanka John, No name kanka Simon and I met up in The Chopin to watch the match, but like I said, there was little to cheer apart from some fantastic reflex saves from Man of the Match, Bayram.

Bayram was brought into the action as early as the 2nd minute when he saved a goalbound header. Then, 9 minutes later Antep should have been one up when a screamer of a shot hit the post and rebounded to safety.

Two more headers went narrowly past the post on 21 and 30 minutes, and then 5 minutes later a defender made a goal-line clearance with Bayram beaten.

A goal had to come with the constant Antep pressure and it arrived in the 38th minute. An attack down the left wing, the cut-back into the centre for Cenk to first-time the ball from right to left completely deceiving Bayram.

With half time beckoning, there was another goal-line clearance and Ankaragucu (especially the defenders) went in for a well earned break !

There was no respite in the 2nd half with Antep continuing to attack and going for the jugular. 8 minutes in and Bayram tipped a goalbound shot round the post, and then shortly after, he saved bravely at the feet of an attacker bearing in on goal.

On the 70th minute Antep should have made it 2 when an attacker missed an open goal sending his header wide. 7 minutes later another golden opportunity was missed when Bayram pulled off the save of the match from a point blank shot from El-Yasa.

We did manage a cheer with Ankaragucu's only serious effort on goal in the 85th minute when Karce tipped a goalbound shot over the bar.

I think the possession stats says it all. 63 to 37. Like I said, a great backs against the wall performance from Ankaragucu. Some of the young lads in the team are learning the harsh realities of life in the Super League the hard way, and like I said in my report last week, it will not get any easier in The Bank Aysa League next season !

Ankaragucu will play their last match at home next weekend against Kayseri. Details in the comments section when known.

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim