KOPA Challenge Cup
First Round
Maronites 1 Arachne 2
Close game contested by 2 teams who have a strong bond and a very good relationship. Game started evenly with both teams creating chances. Breakthrough came in the 25th minute with a well taken goal from Franco Tzouvanni to put Maronites ahead. Second half Arachne picked up the tempo and started to create more chances. They got an eventual equaliser through Anthony Panayi with a good shot from the edge of the box. Momentum now with Arachne and Lorenzo Toumazos completed the comeback with ten minutes to go when he broke free from the Maronites defence and slotted the ball into the corner of the net. Maronites had a late surge for an equaliser and hit the post in the last minute with a shot from Yianni Hapeshis but Arachne held out well. Game played in a fantastic spirit with a very friendly atmosphere Unique. Arachne now plays Cyprus Youth in the next round.
KOPA Challenge Cup
Second Round
Rizokarpasso 1 Livadia 3
The surprise of the day Second division Livadia who were only formed this year beat last year’s Challenge cup winner’s first division Rizokarpasso. Livadia started the game really well and were first to every ball. They seemed hungry and ready for the challenge ahead. Livadia enjoyed plenty of the ball and had many chances to score however Rizokarpasso goalkeeper was in fine form. Livadia however scored with a headed goal from defender Nick Koutsoudis. At half time it stayed 1-0. Second half started well for Rizo and got into the game and could have equalised but for Andreas Kyprianou the Livadia goalkeeper. Livadia absorbed the pressure and made it count with a fine individual goal from Adem Ali. With 20 minutes to go Rizo scored from a corner to make 2-1 with a well taken goal from Demi Ponnou. Livadia absorbed the pressure and once again Adem Ali scored a wonderful individual goal again to make it 3-1. Livadia took control of the last 15 minutes and deserve a place in the quarter finals where they will now play the winners of the Olympia versus AEL cup tie.
New Salamis 0 Apoel 4
New Salamis got truly thrashed by their championship rivals Apoel. The Red’s started well but within fifteen minutes Apoel took the lead with a powerful shot from the edge of the box from ex Football League player Nick McCoy who is a former Wimbledon, Cardiff and Northampton professional.
New Salamis were trying to play neat football on a very muddy surface it was just not going to happen for them with the ball continually getting stuck in the mud.
Apoel within their long balls and shots were in complete control.
The second goal came when the Apoel striker Vaso was pulled down in the penalty area by the New Salamis keeper and Jason Mason scored from the penalty spot.
Apoel added a third just before the break as a Vas Krisikos shot was deflected into the back of the net.
The second half was a messy game with no one playing outstanding football but Apoel managed to score a fourth with Lauren Haji rounding the game with a convincing 4-0 win. Apoel now go on to face the winners of the Arachne versus Cyprus Youth game.
Second Division
Asha 0 Komi Kebir 3
Komi Kebir have sprung up from nowhere under the management of Nick Hanna to be strong promotion contenders they are now second placed one point behind the leaders Arachne who have a game in hand. Komi Kebir got off to a good start and led 1-0 half time, with a brilliant individual goal from Mario Seyho taking on two players before firing into the top corner from the edge of the box. Asha were trying to force themselves back into the game but Aris the Komi keeper pulled off a couple of good saves to keep Asha at bay. Daniel Smith made it 2-0 with his first touch after coming on as sub and Nick Seyho scored the third making it 3-0 final score.
Pantel 3 Cyprus Youth 1
Pantel have surprised everyone by beating Cyprus Youth who have been disappointing in recent weeks and really need to up their tempo if they are going to get promoted.
The game started with Pantel really attacking Cyprus Youth and were rewarded with a penalty when the Cyprus Youth keeper pulled down the Pantel player Larry and Alexis scored from the spot.
Cyprus Youth equalised with Luke Papacosta and it then looked like they may get back into the game but Pantel found chances to increase their lead with goals from Alexis a second and Larry making Pantel eventual winners at 3-1.
