LFA Challenge Cup Final
Yalova 0 Tripimeni 2
This game was history at it was two Cypriot teams in the final Tripimeni a village team from the top part of Cyprus near Ayios Amvrosios famous for its apricots and play in the Cypriot Football League, KOPA. The other team Yalova is an off shoot of Yalova FC that was formed in 1955 in Cyprus in the town of Episkopi and play in the Turkish Federation League in London.
The game was played at Dulwich Hamlets Stadium and there was a great atmosphere at the game both teams were nervous and eager but in the first half both teams had limited chances.
The second half opened up when in the 55th minute a penalty was awarded to Tripimeni when Ahmet Rifat was pulled down in the penalty area and as a result a Yalova player was sent off and Alfie Bartram scored from the spot kick to give Tripimeni a 1-0 lead.
Yalova even with ten men started playing good football and were desperately trying to get back in the game when again their keeper upheld a Tripimeni player in the penalty area to give Alfie Bartram another chance to score from the penalty spot to make it 2-0 to Tripimeni. Ten minutes after this another Yalova player was sent off this demoralised them and it was now a case of Tripimeni just pacing the game out. In the dying minutes the Yalova keeper made an attempt to dribble past two opposing players but was tackled by a third man, this left the Yalova goal wide open and an attempted 40 yard shot by George Gregoriou narrowly missed the target.
Challenge Cup
Quarter Final
Arachne 1 Apoel 4
Newly promoted Arachne had a taste of what they be expecting in the higher division next season and they certainly did against this years top team Apoel. Arachne led 1-0 from the 15th minute with a great header from Leo Charalambous. Apoel’s first goal came just before half time with Michael Spencer then after the break Apoel increased their lead with a low volley shot from David Knight who then scored again minutes later. Tam completed the score when he rounded two players and slotted the ball in the far corner of the net to make it 4-1 also got to give credit to Arachne who put up a great performance. Apoel now go on to play the winners of Achna v Tripimeni.
New Salamis 5 Rizokarpasso 0
New Salamis won over Rizokarpasso in no time to go into the semi finals and now play either Cetinkaya Cinar or Anorthosis a very convincing win they had a battle in the first half going into the break with just a 1-0 lead with a goal from Shaun Mullings but took complete control in the second half with goals from Shaun making it two for him, Lawrence, Richard Georgiou and Mario Georgiou.
Aradippou 2 Cetinkaya Cinar 5
Although Cetinkaya Cinar were relegated to Division 2 during the week, they picked themselves to continue to the Semi Final of the Challenge Cup.
A lively start to the game as Aradippou were awarded a penalty in the 8th minute, but Remzi of Cinar pulled off a great save. Cinar had the better opportunities, but bizzarely Aradippou were given another penalty, a much disputed one, but this time they made no mistake, 1-0.
The lead did not last long, as 2 minutes later Selcuk Ulug scored, finding the goal in a crowded area to make it 1-1.
Cetinkaya Cinar found their form in the second half and scored in the 50th minute, as Tarik Kucuk received a cross and smashed the ball past the keeper, 1-2. 8 minutes later Cinar increased their lead as Tarik found Selcuk Ulug who scored his second with a low shot, 1-3. Aradippou pulled one back a few minutes later, but on 82 minutes a Josh Djelal pass put Tarik Kucuk through and he made no mistake with his cool finish for 2-4. 4 minutes later a similar pass to Tarik, this time from Erkan, resulted in a first hatrick for the impressive 19 year old. Final score 2-5, and a well deserved pick up win for Cinar.
Second Division Cup in memory of Michael Tzouvanni
Maronites 1 Brotherhood 3
Brotherhood are the first team to make it to a Cup final this season and will be playing the winners of Arachne v KLN and will be hoping to make it a double as they have already won the second division title this year, yet they started off badly and were a goal down when the Maronites took the lead through Andrew Slade but Brotherhood equalised with a goal from George Christodoulou then they took the lead with two goals from Mark Doyle his first a spectacular free kick to give them a 3-1 win.
