AEK maintained their lead at the top of the table with a hard-earned win over third-placed AEL, while second-placed Apoel hit four past Karmiotissa in the Cyprus football championship over the weekend.

Omonia, who are now level on points with AEL, edged past Zakaki while Anagennisi and Aris remain rooted at the foot of the table following their defeats to Nea Salamina and Ermis Aradippou respectively.

It seemed as though AEK were heading for their first defeat of the season, as they were trailing to a Dossa Junior first-half header, but two late goals turned the match around.

First a thunderbolt from Reyes Accoran from almost 25 metres out brought the score level in the 79th minute and four minutes later, Tete burst into AEL’s penalty box and expertly curved the ball beyond AEL keeper Romo.

It was no more than AEK deserved as they were the better team throughout the game but were kept at bay by the visitors’ defensive gameplan.
After taking the lead on the half-hour mark, AEL were content to sit back and defend in numbers, but they were outdone in the end.

The most thrilling weekend game took place at the Tsirion stadium where Apollon fought back from two down to score twice in added time and take the three points against Ethnikos Achnas.

Ethnikos, totally against the run of play, had taken a two-goal lead through their striker Zelayia in the first half.
Angeli pulled one back for the home side early in the second half before two very late strikes by Bendoyia in the 90th minute and six minutes later by Alex da Silva sealed the points for the Limassol team.

Despite the scoreline, Apoel were made to work hard against Karmiotissa and only when the visitors were reduced to ten men on the hour mark half did the champions look comfortable for the win.

Pieros Sotiriou had given Apoel the lead early in the game but Karmiotissa’s Polianec got a deserved equaliser in the 36th minute.
The home team looked a bit jaded following their European exploits but a second Sotiriou goal 10 minutes after the restart, and a second yellow card for Andamovic shortly after, tilted the game in Apoel’s favour, and they went on to score two more through Aloneftis and Bressan.

Omonia have their rookie keeper Andreas Christodoulou to thank for their win against AEZ Zakakiou.
Christodoulou was thrown in at the deep end after Omonia’s regular keeper Panayi was sent off early in the second half for bringing down AEZ striker Pangalos when clean through.

Christodoulou kept AEZ at bay with a string of fine saves, leaving his best right until the end when he managed to tip over Panagalos’ goalbound effort.
The game’s only goal was scored by Demetris Chrisophi in the 26th minute.

Anorthosis’ new coach Ronny Levy recorded his second consecutive win, this time a comfortable 3-0 victory over Doxa with Goncalves, Canbrera and Chivon the goalscorers.

Elsewhere Nea Salmina finally won at home (2-0) albeit against bottom side Anagennisi Dheryneias while Ermis Aradippou had few problems in their 2-0 away defeat of Aris.

Click on games below to view highlights

AEZ 0-1 Omonia
Aris 0-2 Ermis
AEK 2-1 AEL
Anorthosis 3-0 Doxa
Nea Salamina 20- Anagennisi
Apollon 3-2 Ethnikos
Apoel 4-1 Karmiotissa

(Highlights courtesy of the Cyprus Football Association)

Cyprus Mail

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