Hearts advance to next stage of Knockout Competition

Accra, Feb. 6, GNA - Struggling Accra Hearts of Oak SC advanced to the next stage of the MTN FA Cup Competition when they chalked a 2-0 victory over Prampram-based Pure Joy Football Club at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra, on Sunday.

In a game which many expected a stiff opposition from the Division One side, due to previous results of matches between the two sides, but it was a determined Hearts side who took an early lead in the fourth minute through Mahatma Otoo.

The early goal came through a free-kick perfectly delivered by

Otoo, after Abdul Bashiru made a quick touch of the ball for

skipper to deliver a non-drop grounder for the final drive straight

into the net for the opener. Determined to appease their fans with a victory after strings of

loses in the premiership at their back yard, Hearts probed for

more goals and succeeded in getting another again in the 26th

minute from Otoo. It was an easy assignment for Otoo, after David Ocloo's cross

and subsequent connection by Bashiru hit the post and returned

into play for Otoo to cooly apply his head with little challenge for

the second goal. Hearts held unto their lead till the close of the first half and

returned to the second half with renewed energy to increases the

tally but it was rather the visitors who turned the heat on the

Phobians. Pure Joy subjected Hearts to intensed pressure in an attempt to

cancel the two goals, but Rahman Dauda and Ali Bashiru were

unable to break through the central defensive pair of Osei Bonsu

and Philip Boampong. The pressure on Hearts intensified when they lost midfielder

Theopilus Apoh for a reckless tackle on his opponent in the 49th

minute. But when Dauda managed to break through the Hearts defence

in the 57th minute and had only keeper Philemon McCarthy to

beat, he blew off the opportunity. Pure Joy could have at least gone home with a consolation

goal, but they continued to blew off some scoring chances, whilst

Hearts also had a perfect opportunity to increase the tally in the

80th minute, but Otoo's feeble touch was easily handled by Pure

Joy's keeper James Addo. With a very stable defence, Hearts kept their opponents at bay

and managed to run away with the two goal lead.