It looks like a remarkable season for the KOPA League going by the results so far this season. The League table reads with newly promoted teams in the first Division Apoel and Olympia on the same points leading the first division and newly formed team Asha FC lead the second division.
First Division
New Salamis 0 Apoel 2
Last season’s Champions New Salamis are having the toughest start in years after a narrow win last week versus Rizokarpasso in that had to contend with a defeat this Sunday against League leaders newly promoted Apoel. It was 0-0 half time then two fatal errors in the 54th and 57th minute allowed Apoel to grab two goals with their Albanian striker Perit Elba and Kyri Kyprianou scorers.
Another turning point was in the 70th minute when the man of the match Apoel Keeper Darren Behcet pulled off a great penalty save from Steve Valendia leaving the reds to chase the game with no avail.
Dynamo 1 Olympia 4
Olympia have also set the first division alight sharing top spot with Apoel. Olympia two seasons ago were having problems fielding a team and with the backing of the Lympia Association and the help of Andy Christou have now become a formidable team under the management of new boss George Georgiou the ex manager of New Salamis. Against Dynamo they were 2-0 up with the goals coming from Irhan and Michael Christou.
Dynamo started the second half well and reduced the score to 2-1 with a goal from James and for about ten minutes Dynamo battled to get back in the game but Olympia were not going to have it and scored in the 75th minute with a brilliant solo goal from Dicksy who went past four players before tapping the ball past the oncoming Dynamo goalkeeper. The fourth goal came in the 80th minute a second for Michael Christou giving Olympia a comfortable 4-1 win.
Brotherhood 2 Tripimeni 3
In the other game of the first division Brotherhood nearly pulled off a shock against strongly fancied Championship contenders Tripimeni. Brotherhood led 2-0 with only ten minutes to go with their goals coming from Aaron Kennedy and Christos Hajipappas.
Tripimeni’s final sprint ended with three goals and a important 3-2 win with goals coming from Leroy Fisher 2 and one from Alfie Bartram.
Division 2
Achna 1 Asha 2
Asha FC are the headlines of the second division this week after a important 2-1 win over Achna. Asha have taken the League by storm, they now have gone three games unbeaten and top the second division. Luke Mellor scored their first goal just before half time with a back heel assist from Stephen Kalli. Asha’s second came in the 55th minute when a corner from Petro Spyrou gave Mem Afkari a chance to tap the ball home for Asha’s second.
Achna reduced the score to 2-1 with a goal from their striker Aristos Aristotelous.
Livadia 0 Omonia 2
Omonia pulled off their first win of the season by defeating last week’s Second division leaders Livadia 2-0. Omonia are now managed by Kouli Antoniou and Tony Kromidias and are now showing promise. Antonis scored the first goal for Omonia with a great header in the 30th minute and in the 60th minute Lenos scored a cracking goal with a long distance shot.
The manager of Livadia Nick Demetriades was not at the game as he was taken to the hospital before the game as a result of a car accident thankfully he is ok and was not detained.
Pantel 5 Komi Kebir 1
Pantel pulled off their first win of the season in fine style by beating Komi Kebir 5-1. They were 3-0 up at half time with goals coming from Antonis Aristidou, Andrew Kitipos, James Alexander 2 and Alexandros Constantinou this win keeps Pantel intact with the Second division leaders and a tough gameto go into this Sunday with Omonia.
Komi Kebir’s lone goal came from Nick Seyho.
Arachne 0 Pendayia 1
On a very wet morning at New River both teams came into the game hungry for a win, but for different reasons. Arachne were looking to get their third win on the trot and maintain their unbeaten start to the season, whilst Pendayia were looking for their first 3 points of the campaign.
The first half was fairly even with both teams creating chances down the wings but unfortunately neither could break down their opponent’s tough back-line. The second half started slightly more optimistically for the visitors however, who were slowly getting into their rhythm and creating more chances. Despite this it was Arachne who carved out the first two clear cut chances of the half and were it not for the quick reactions of Pendayia goalkeeper George Georgiou, Pendayia would have been behind.
The deadlock was broken in the 65th minute however, when a cross from the left was missed by the lone defender and forward in the box, but Sami Menari came running in from his left wing position to smash the ball home.
Despite chances from both teams, it was to be the visitor’s day and they walked away with their first win of the season.
Cyprus Youth 5 Anorthosis 2
Cyprus Youth also achieved their first win of the season which was done in style by beating bottom of the table Anorthosis 5-2. Cyprus Youth were 5-0 up with a hat trick from Rio Brian Edwards, goals from Adam Mckinnon and Stav Brown completed the rout.
Anorthosis two goals came in the last five minutes ironically both scored by former Cyprus Youth player Danny Coolridge.
LFA Intermediate Cup
Cetinkaya Cinar 3 Enfield Crusaders 2
Cetinkaya Cinar go through to the second round after a tough battle with Enfield Crusaders winning 3-2 with Cinars goals coming from Leon Wilson two goals and one from Cinar’s Jem Jelal.
Results
First Division
New Salamis 0 Apoel 2
Dynamo 1 Olympia 4
Brotherhood 2 Tripimeni 3
Second Division
Achna 1 Asha 2
Livadia 0 Omonia 2
Pantel 5 Komi Kebir 1
Arachne 0 Pendayia 1
Cyprus Youth 5 Anorthosis 2
LFA Intermediate Cup
Cetinkaya Cinar 3 Enfield Crusaders 2