Relief for AEK after first home win of season

By Iacovos Constantinou

AEK Larnaca and Ermis Aradippou moved up to third and fourth place following their respective weekend wins over Nea Salamina and Othellos Athienou while the remaining two fixtures between Ayia Napa and AEL in Paralimni and Anorthosis and Ethnikos Achnas ended in draws.

AEK coach Tomas Christiansen was a clearly a relieved man after the game as this was AEK’s first home win of the season.
“I am happy for our first home win of the season. It is very frustrating to play well and not be able to win” he said in the post -game press conference.

AEK took a deserved lead though Mitides in the 10th minute and were much the better side for most of the opening 45 minutes despite being unable to carve out any clear cut chances.

In the second half, the few fans (1,300) that bothered to turn up for the game were rewarded with an attacking display by both teams.
Nea Salamina could have equalised early on in the second half through Tsinti while Masana, Kolautti and Vander were all guilty of failing to find the net when in good positions for AEK.
Tomas finally secured the points for AEK with fifteen minutes to go.

Elsewhere, Ayia Napa produced another spirited display against seemingly superior opposition but were stunned when AEL equalised through Ionita with practically the last kick of the game.

The home team had taken the lead through Marchev in the 87th minute and Ayia Napa were on course to claim their second major scalp in a week (Omonia being the first) until AEL’s injury time equaliser.

First division newcomers Othellos Athienou meanwhile were left to rue their luck and inexperience as they should have picked up at least a point against Ermis Aradippou.

They failed to convert a penalty that would have given them a deserved lead and were made to pay the price when Onilo fired in his fifth goal of the season.

In the final weekend game Anorthosis and Ethnikos Achnas played out a dour goalless draw with neither side capable of breaking down the well -marshalled defences.

There was a big surprise in Nicosia on Moday night when champions and leaders APOEL could only draw 0-0 with bottom of the table Doxa, allowing Apollon to close to within two points of the lead at the top of the table, after the Limassol side beat Omonia 3-0.

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