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.
