First Division
Brotherhood 2 KLN 1
Brotherhoods were seeking revenge after losing to KLN earlier in the season. Both teams heavily contested the game and they both created numerous chances with Brotherhood’s Paul Yiannakas contesting midfield control with KLN’s Chris Papacosta.
It took a long distance screamer from Michael Philippou to break the ice late in the first half a 40 yard blaster which the Brotherhood keeper Dimi never had a chance to stop. The second half there was a revitalised Brotherhood who came up trumps with two goals the first from Aaron Kennedy who was one to one with the KLN goalkeeper and was able to beat him and place the ball into the back of the net and the other one a powerful free kick from Paul Yiannakas.
Giving Brotherhood a 2-1 win.
Anorthosis 4 Cetinkaya Cinar 3
Anorthosis stamped their authority on the game for the first quarter but it was Cinar who came closest to scoring on 15 minutes as a Thomas Simmons freekick came crashing off the bar.
5 minutes later a long ball by Cinar caught the Anorthosis defence napping as Marcus Samuals raced on and lobbed the keeper for 0-1. Anorthosis equalized on 28 minutes with George Gregoriou just when it looked like Cinar might add a second. The second did come on the stroke of half time as Zaine Martin bundled in a Kerim pass, 1-2.
Another quick start to the second half saw Anorthosis pass their way to goal and make it 2-2 on 50 minutes with Luke Petros. Cinar’s Marcus caused alot of problems as his pace threatened the home team.
Anorthosis took the lead on 56 minutes, as Cinar stopped in play and the home team continued and scored, 3-2 with Alex Roussis . Cinar deservedly got back into the game as Tarik Kucuk scored the goal of the game as his shot from 30 yards went over the keepers head, 3-3. Cinar had chances to take the lead and even had a goal ruled out for offside and with 3 minutes remaining Anorthosis went on the break with George Gregoriou scoring and ultimately win the game. A fair result would have been both teams winning as it was such an exciting game.
Maronites 2 Tripimeni – Olympia 5
Another good win from improving Tripimeni Olympia after going 2 0 up with goals from John Nicholas and Paul Wright then Maronites pulled one back with a well taken penalty from Tom Boxer just before half time to make it 2-1.
Not long after the half time break Peter Antoniades scored two goals to increase Tripimeni – Olympias lead.
Maronites didn’t give up we must give them credit and scored again with Tom Boxer.
Tripimeni – Olympia then scored again with Davis Laird to finish the game off 5-2 to Tripimeni.
Livadia 3 Apoel 0
Game started fairly slowly and looked like both teams still shaking off the Xmas dinner. Apoel had a few early chances but failed to score thanks to Livadia goalkeeper George Georgiou. Slowly Livadia began to create chances of their own and it was only a matter of time before they scored. After some great play down the left hand side by Alex Kounnas he crossed for Elia Katsioloudi to loop a header over the stranded Apoel keeper in the 25th minute.
In the second half once again Apoel had a spell of chances but found George Georgiou in outstanding form. This gave Livadia the platform to start playing some lovely football. A chance for striker Andreas Kyprianou to show his ability who shot from 10 yards but hit the cross bar. He was furious with himself but within 2 minutes he showed great determination and created space for himself 25 yards out and was able to curl a shot into the top corner of the net.
2-0 to Livadia after 60 minutes they were now in full stride however the third goal came from a bizarre own goal by the Apoel defender slicing a clearance somehow over his own keeper on 75 minutes. A comfortable 3-0 win for Livadia.
Second Division
Asha 1 St Panteleimon 2
St. Panteleimon arrived for their top of the table clash with Asha knowing it would be a tough challenge. In the opening 10 minutes it proved exactly that as Asha started the quicker of the two hitting the woodwork twice. The Saints then settled and started to build momentum as their passing game started to pay dividends creating many opportunities to open the scoring. A terrific move on 20 minutes saw the Saints break down the right and a superb cross saw the dangerous Salapatas slot home. An even half and a quality of football that is a credit to the division.
The second half saw the Saints create numerous golden chances to put the game out of reach however none were taken. That is until the 55th minute when the outstanding Nikolas Menelaou played the pass of the match to the equally impressive Igkli Sevaj who chipped the oncoming goalkeeper from 20 yards out. 2-0 to the Saints. Asha showed great character and continued to battle, this was rewarded by a goal by Chris Spyrou on 75 minutes following some slick passing on the right, but in the end St Panteleimon held out.
Komi Kebir 1 Pantel 3
It was an early kick off at New River where Komi Kebir hosted Pantel in a game where both teams needing to win in order to stay in touch with the front runners. As the sun started to shine so did Pantel by going ahead in the 15th minute with a beautifull curling effort by Marley Martin which found the top corner. Another 15 minutes had passed and Pantel where given a free kick on the edge of the box. Alex Constantinou stepped up and drilled it low and hard into the bottom corner. 2-0 HT. Second half started very much like the first with Pantel dominating posession and always looking a threat. After a rather weak pass back Andy Bremner of Pantel was on it like a flash and calmly slotted home to give Pantel a well deserves 3-0 lead. Komi then had a player sent off soon after as they started to feel the pressure. With 10 minutes to go Komi pulled one back with Jason Lambri and two minutes after were given a penalty. The penalty was saved brilliantly by Peter Lambrou That all important save saw Pantel through to the end. All in all, a well deserved win and the Second Division title up for grabs between 4 teams.