Hearts gets a respite while Kotoko nears stability

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - Accra Hearts of Oak earned a respite in three weeks with a late goal against visiting Ashantigold SC in Accra. The extent of jubilation by the scanty supporters dotted around the arena told it all; this was a welcoming victory for a team that succumbed to rivals, Liberty Professionals and unexpectedly, debutants Tudu Mighty Jets in a row at a time so much was expected from them because of their earlier conquest of Kumasi Asante Kokoko in Kumasi.

But for even the Phobians to hold their own with a numerical disadvantage and come good was a fine breather; one enough to gift Hearts with enough confidence when they head to Kpando to engage Heart of Lions in their den in a game that traditionally is always cagey.

Hearts, however, will be the first to admit that they will require more than the quality they exhibited against Ashgold to walk out of Kpando unscathed especially after Lions dropped all three points against King Faisal over the weekend and only a win may see them overtake the Phobians at mid-table.

Faisal's win over Lions brings them to mid-table on 17 points from a possible 36. The Kumasi team held their own last week to pick a point off Ashgold in Obuasi and against Lions they were slightly favoured in the game winning could not be bargained.

Kotoko could not recoup all three points at the Coronation Park in Sunyani against struggling B.A Stars but at least they managed to pick a vital point that was enough to halt the defeat journey they traveled a whole month.

The "Porcupine Warriors" were frail but at least managed to let nothing in against the 10-man Stars who staged constant threat in the entire duration of the game, which was watched by a mammoth crowd per the Premier League's own poor attendance standards lately.

A point was more than what Kokoto required to lift themselves off the last five on the table, but it brings the stability they so badly needed and can build on as they return to the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi to welcome league leaders, Bechem Chelsea.

Chelsea recovered very well from their heavy defeat last week to beat high flying Wa All Stars at the Berekum Golden City Park in a game dubbed the clash of the top two. The 2-1 win meant Chelsea maintained their hold on the standings while Kwesi Nyantakyi's boys dropped to fourth place, four points adrift the homers.

Two inspirational visits from sitting and past Vice President's, John Dramani Mahama and Alhaji Aliu Mahama were obviously less than what Real Tamale United (RTU) truly needed to increase their haul from a miserable five and give meaning to a sorry campaign.

The Mahama's visited, motivated and held hope but against Berekum Arsenal, RTU were unable to shake off the obvious; a troubled spell pregnant with tons of issues that not even the club itself and their loyal followers could put a finger to and raise any hope of survival. A lone goal was all Arsenal needed to stay at the middle of the summit on 17 points.

Defending Champions, Aduana moved a step forward in their quest to successful defend their trophy by squeezing one past Mighty Jets who traveled to Dormaa on the wings of a delightful victory over Hearts of Oak a week on. The single goal sent Aduana to second place, three points adrift leaders, Chelsea. Kessben's goalless draw with visiting Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs leaves them on 19 points and at third place whiles Liberty held Edubiase at the Gyamfi Park at Bekwai.