Team - Bayram Olgun, Metin Aydin, Aytac Oden, Selim Teber, Emre Tasdemir, Mehmet Cakir, Serkan Sirin, Serhat Gulpinar, Kaan Kanak, Ibrahim Sahin, Levent Kale
Subs - Gokhan Akkan, Hasan Ayaroglu, Harun Aydin, Aydin Toscali, Onur Atasayer, Gurkan Alver
Geetings Kankas and Kankies.
Ankaragucu almost came unstuck against
a resolute team today, but in the end they did the necessary, ie,
…... stick the ball in the net …...... twice !
ANKARAGUCU 2 Bandirmaspor 0
I met up with Paddy Kanka (Paul)
coming for his 2nd ever match and then we were joined by
Battle Damaged Kanka Damon pre kick-off.
It was a bloody cold day with freezing
fog and it was a wee bit chilly up ma kilt !!! However, we North Berwick boyz are made of strong stuff and so it was no big deal !
The match was very 'cat and mouse' in
the opening 20 minutes and then the match exploded with Ankaragucu
missing two chances over the top and past the post due to carelessness by Cakir and Kaan.
Bandirma was also threatening with two
great saves from 'Man of the Match' Bayram in the 22nd
minute and again in the 29th minute.
Then, just as Bandirma was beginning to
gain the upper hand, Ankaragucu struck against the run of play.
A cross came in from the left and Ibo
(who I have castigated in the past) rose and headed in to our
relief, and bring Maraton back into song ! Against the run of play
? Mmmmm …. yes, but let's not dwell on that !!
2 minutes later and Ankaragucu was
awarded a penalty (didn't see the reason so far away from the action, but Nadeem will
say …... yes, or …....... no). Mr Reliable, Levent, stepped up
and made a scuffed effort which was easily dealt with by the goalie.
I suppose there always has to be a situation when this happens, but
….... not this time Levent …...... lutfen !!! Consistency is
everything !!
Ankaragucu tails were up now and the
Bandirma goal was laid to siege in the last few minutes of the half
with Cakir and Kaan blasting the ball over (again) and past the post in good
positions.
Bandirma started the 2nd
half looking good and for the first 20 minutes were looking capable
of stilling the noise of the tribunes who didn't give up singing.
However, it was Ankaragucu who started
to take control and in the 61st minute it should have been
2. A pin point cross came in from the left to Levent who was
lurking in the far post area. He met it perfectly and a goal was
assured. Wrong ! The goalkeeper made a miraculous save and we
were left looking aghast at each other !
Bandirma wasn't finished and were
unlucky not to equalise on 64 minutes when a goalmouth aberration was
finally cleared when a lucky foot came out to clear the ball to
safety,.
Then, when nerve ends were jangling
…... Emre came to the rescue. An attacking move down the left
gave Emre the opportunity of coming into the penalty box and curling
a great shot around the goalkeeper into the far right corner for a
truly wonderful goal.
Ankaragucu was fortunate to be 2-0 up,
but ….............. at least the ball had been despatched to its
rightful place, ie …...... between the sticks !!
Ankaragucu then played the 'run the
clock down' system well until the final whistle and I suppose we can
be happy with the result against a very good Bandirma team. Btw,
they had about 100 fans in the away end, but they really didn't have
much to sing about !!
Back we went to Crossroads for
celebrations for a welcome Ankaragucu win, and …........ to
celebrate Damon's birthday. We were joined by Brat Kankie Laura,
Ejder Kankie Aysen and Cider Kanka John.
The only downside to spoil the evening
was news that Altinordu and Alanya had also won. Not to worry
says I …....... we still have a long way to go and we are in a good
position to leap out of the tracks at the end of the winter shut-down
and continue where we left off !
Btw, on a style note …..... Damon was wearing a fetching and luvvvly pair of ear warmers at the match today. Another point for him in the race to be 'Most Stylish Kanka of the Year'
All the best from Eski Kanka Jim
Ear warmers? A man from North Berwick would never be seen wearing them I reckon.
ReplyDeleteBurra ..... no no no ...... not ME ..... nivvvvirrrrrrr - it was Damon !!!
ReplyDeleteTop 4 League Table at the Winter Break having played 17 -
Altinordu - 37 points
Alanya - 36 points
ANKARAGUCU - 35 points
Tepecik - 30 points
Of course, we would all prefer to see Ankaragucu at the top at this stage. However, at the beginning of the season when Ankaragucu was in disarray, I would have settled for this.
All the play for at the resumption, and as the 'form' team, we can be optimistic.
Agree Eski. A bit too early to hit the top. Nicely poised for the final push.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with Jim. We were very fortunate to be in the lead but for some good saves from Bayram. The defence is our main problem, far to slow and concentration levels are shocking.
ReplyDeleteThat said it was a good second half performance, and special mention to Levent Kale, the guy works his socks off and has been a fantastic signing.
was a definite penalty Jim, their defender kneed Levent in the back and got nothing on the ball
ReplyDeleteYes Nadeem, good point about Levent. I kept mentioning to Damon and Paddy throughout the match how he tracks back to help out at the back and then is back up front foraging and trying to make things happen.
ReplyDeleteTruly a great signing and hopefully he will stay with us as we climb back into the PTT League.
I forgive him for his penalty miss because I know it won't happen again !!!