KOPA Challenge Cup
first Round
Cetinkaya Cinar 0 Komi Kebir 1
How fortunes can change. This time last year Cinar were flying high in the second division on their way to a league and cup double, while Komi were bottom of division 2.
One year on and it’s Nick Hannas Komi side who are flying.
These teams meet 5 times last season with Cinar winning all 5 games but this is a new Komi Kebir side playing with bags of confidence.
The game was spoilt slightly by a strong wind. Cinar started better and with the wind behind them they struck the bar and post 3 times in the first half. But Komi had the best chance after 30 mins when Chris Andrea was put through with just the keeper to beat but Sekmen in the Cinar goal pulled off a world class save to keep the score 0-0 at half time.
In the second half and with the wind behind their back Komi started to dominate the play and they were rewarded in the 50th min when a cross by Andreas Bryant was turned in at the near post by Chris Andrea.
The turning point in the game came in the 60th min when Cinar were awarded a penalty but Tarik Kucuk blasted the chance wide.
Cinar pushed for an equaliser but with the wind and a strong Komi defence the score remained 1-0 to the visitors who go in the draw for the next round.
Arachne 1 Livadia 3
Livadia first goal came in 25th after a good move Elia Katsioloudi scored from 15 yards out. There were chances at both ends however it stayed 1-0 at half time. In second half Arachne started well however failed to take any advantage and in the 70th minute Samir Aalit stretched to reach a pass from Pete Panayiotou and made it 2-0. Alex Kounnas made some great runs on the wing coming very close to scoring and it was only a matter of time before Livadia scored a third. In 75th minute Pete Panayiotou assisted once more with a cross met by Elia Katsioloudi heading the ball home.
Arachne responded with a goal from Lorenzo Toumazos headed goal from a free kick in 80 minute
Final score 3-1
Asha 6 Maronites 1
Asha Fc welcomed Maronites from the first division for the 1st round of the Challenge cup, and what a fantastic entertainment it was for the spectators.
Asha Fc came away with a 6-1 win that could have been more.
Within the first attack Asha went ahead after two minutes when Antonio found himself 10 yards from the left and slotted the ball into the goal with a low shot.
A minute later Chris Spyrou put the home team 2 up .
Asha had the ball in the net again on the 5th minute but was ruled offside.
2 minutes before the end of the half the home team made it 3-0 through once again Chris Spyrou.
Maronites tried to get back at the start of the second half, and were awarded a penalty but Leo was on hand to make a fantastic save.A minute later Maronites got a goal back its Selch Ulug with a 40 yard screamer.
On 75 minutes Asha increased the score to 4-1 when Chris scored his hatrick.
Antonio scored his second for Asha to make it 5-1 to the home team.
Chris Spyrou scored his 4rth of the day to conclude the final score 6-1 to Asha and make it a misarable day for the Maronites.
KLN 0 Anorthosis 0
Anorthosis who celebrated their 40th year anniversary the night before could not break down KLN’s rearguard. Both teams had chances to score but the clinical finishing in front of goal was poor, leaving both teams to play out a 0-0 draw.
LFA Challenge Cup second round
New Salamis 2 Lambeth All Stars 2
Lambeth all stars nearly pulled off a shock win over the current LFA cup holders New Salamis by taking the lead twice going into the break 1-0 up and New Salamis equalising in the 50th minute then Lambeth regained the lead in the 60th minute starting an onslaught from the reds hitting the woodwork twice and eventually Deniz Mehmet scored with a screamer going past three players and striking the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the box.
But New Salamis came up trumps winning on penalties.
Tripimeni – Olympia 0 Brotherhood 2
A big shock for Steve Cinotti who usually his teams are able to reach the later stages of the LFA Cup Brotherhood came up trumps with a good 2-0 win with their goals coming from Nicky Rifat and Aaron Kennedy.
Baldon FC v Omonia game postponed.