By Chris Evans
Didim Efeler 09 battled to a goalless draw away at Çorluspor 1947 on Sunday afternoon. The game saw both teams focusing on attack and getting the ball forward at every opportunity, leading to a far more entertaining game than the scoreline suggests.
Çorluspor started brightly with its first chance on five minutes seeing a player left free at the back post, but a Didim defender blocked his volley. The home team was finding plenty of success down its right wing and causing the Didim left-back problems.
There was no sitting back and trying to soak up the pressure by Didim as we’d seen in previous away games. It didn’t take long before its first chance of the game came from a free header. Sadly, it lacked power and was easy for the goalkeeper.
A break down the left wing by Çorluspor 1947 saw the clearest chance of an entertaining opening when the ball was pulled back to the edge of the area. The Çorluspor 1947 midfielder didn’t connect well with his shot and the ball just about rolled through to the goalkeeper.
The game continued its pattern of end-to-end opportunities when a Didim corner created havoc in the Çorluspor 1947 defence, leading to a shot on the volley that cannoned off a defender before being scrambled away.
Didim started to gain some control and slow the hectic pace of the game down. There was some excellent play, but scrambling defence was keeping the scoreline goalless with the best chance being a long-range shot from Eren Akdemir.
First half injury time saw Didim’s best chance of the game. A quick break down the right-hand side saw a perfect low cross to an unmarked Burak Goksel in the middle. He slipped as he was about to knock the ball into the net and it went harmlessly over the bar.
The second half started brightly with Didim having shouts for a penalty after a player went to ground when through on goal under a sliding tackle from a recovering defender. It was the correct decision from the referee as the defender clearly won the ball.
As the game passed the hour mark, Didim kept pushing for the goal its play now deserved. A good move saw a long-range shot lack power and give an easy save to the goalkeeper.
A few moments later, the game nearly saw a contender for goal of the season. The ball bounced around about 35 yards out from the Çorluspor 1947 goal. The Didim centre back caught it perfectly on the volley and smashed it towards the goal. With the goalkeeper beaten, it bounced off the post.
Substitutions and petty fouls crept into the game, as both teams started to run out of energy after what had been a high-octane game. Çorluspor 1947 tested Didim goalkeeper, Kemal Mert Ozyigit, with high balls into the area, but he showed great composure and safe hands in holding every cross.
It took until injury time for the next, and final, chance of note. Excellent play down the right saw a perfect cross to find an unmarked Didim player who headed strongly goal wards. It beat the goalkeeper, but somehow a defender got back to head the ball off the line.
It was the last action of a decent game. Both teams had chances to win it, with Didim’s probably being the better. A draw was probably a fair result. Didim Efeler 09 next game is against Ordu on Sunday 20 October at 3.30pm at the Ataturk Stadium on Marina Road.