ANKARAGUCU POWER THEMSELVES TO THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE !

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

The kankas returned to their ‘2^nd Home’ last night for their first home league match of the season after the 5 match stadium ban was served, and what a night it was too.   An unbelievable crowd of about 20,000 attended which must surely go into the Guinness Book of Records for a 2^nd Division match on a weekday evening !

ANKARAGUCU   6      Trabzon (1461)      2

The kankas met up at The Sportswriters Club prior to the match for some ‘refreshments’.    Maniac Kanka Harun and his friend Nurer, Cider Kanka John, Battle Damaged Kanka Damon, Kaleci Kanka Tansu, Posh Kanka Ahmet and Scouse Kanka Marcus.

Into the Stadium we went and what an atmosphere.   There was about 100 in the away end, but they didn’t have s ‘snowball’s chance in hell’ of being heard, even after Trabzon scored their two goals !

The first action last night of any note was on the 06^th Minute when hundreds of blue and yellow balloons and confetti were released in Gecikondu and Maraton and the volume of singing increased !

However, Trabzon had obviously decided to be ‘party poopers’ in the 9^th minute by taking the lead, but it didn’t affect the Ankaragucu supporters singing !   It was a defensive nightmare !   A cross came in from the left to an unmarked attacker who had the simplest of jobs to tap the ball in.   I am sure that Ismet Bey will replay the video to show his defenders how NOT to defend crosses into the box !!!

It took Ankaragucu until the 16^th minute to make their first meaningful attempt on goal, but just as most of us jumped up thinking it was a goal, the referee pointed for a corner.

Ankaragucu was attempting to find the equaliser but Trabzon was digging-in and defending well.

However, it eventually came in the 34^th minute and what a fantastic piece of skill from the impressive Omer.   Ankaragucu was awarded a free kick on the right just outside the penalty box and everyone lined up expecting it to be flighted into the back post area.   Omer surprised everyone, except himself, by sending his shot along the ground to just inside the near post with the goalkeeper scrambling along his goal-line to no avail.

Ankaragucu then deservedly went ahead just before the half time whistle.   It was a great sweeping move on the left with the ball being directed across the field to the right and then an inch perfect cross into the box for Serhat to bullet a flying header in.      There was almost time for a 3^rd before the whistle when an Ankaragucu attacker was unable to take advantage of a sloppy back pass.   He was obviously too surprised to mke good contact with the ball as it sailed over the bar.

8 minutes into the 2^nd half and we were all singing and high-fiving when No3 went in.   A great through ball was played into the path of Mustafa who struck it well and it zipped in via the post.

There was an incident after this goal when someone scaled the Gecikondu fence to congratulate  Mustafa.    As we all know from past experience, it only takes one idiot for the ‘other sheep’ to follow.   Fortunately, the Police reacted quickly to apprehend the perpetrator and led him to the Kapali exit.   However, the fans in Gecikondu and Kapali protested 100% sure of that.   Eventually, he was led out of the stadium by the Police to spend some prime time with the Police at the local Police Station !!

In the 64^th minute Trabzon almost pulled a goal back, but Emrah came to the rescue with a great save.   Incidentally, Emrah’s distribution from hand, foot and goal kicks is excellent.

It was round about the 70^th minute mark when I was wondering if Ismet Bey would tell the team to play a ‘holding game’ when Trabzon put the jitters up us with their 2^nd goal.   It was a cracking left foot shot which gave Emrah no chance.

15 minutes to go and then came arguably the goal of the match from substitute Ahmet.   He   picked up the ball around the half way line and went on a fast run heading for the penalty box, and in the process, weaving past 3 defenders who were left in his wake.   Inside the box he let fly and there was no way any goalkeeper would have saved that shot.   He’s definitely a player to watch out for and I hope we see more of him !

3 minutes to go and the stadium was going mental.   With the scoreline at 4-2, Ankaragucu was top of the league on goal difference.

It was just time for Enes to show us his skill when he came on as a substitute and made an immediate impact.   He collected a pass sent out of defence and went on a run down the right, then crossed for the inrushing Omer to bundle the ball into the net.   We’ll take it !!!

Then, deep into time added on, as we were making our way to the exit, the 6^th goal arrived.

Enes received a great pass through the middle which he took in his stride and then fired in an  unstoppable shot to put the icing on the cake !

It was then off to the Yeni Sedir to celebrate, and try to figure out the last tme Ankaragucu scored 6 goals.

Maniac Kanka Harun remembers them doing this but he couldn’t remember when, so his homework tonight is to put the answer here in the comments section !!

It will be interesting to see if Ankaragucu can keep the momentum going and perhaps Gumushane will eventually crack under the pressure.   We live in hope !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim