Kotoko beat Ashgold 2-0

Kumasi, June, 15, GNA - League leaders, Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Sunday continued their winning spree when they beat Obuasi Ashanti Gold 2-0 in their second round Onetouch Premier League match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Kotoko outplayed their opponents who pipped them with a 1-0 victory in the first round of the competition at the Sunyani Coronation Park when Ashgold then used the venue as their home base following a five home match ban.

It was Ashgold who kicked off in the tension packed match but lost a chance to record an early goal in the second minute when Richard Awuah after lobbing the ball over on-rushing goalkeeper Eric Nii Baah of Kotoko hesitated and allowed the defence to recover to save the situation.

Kotoko, determined to carry the day, counter-attacked and nearly took the lead but Osei Kuffour's shot in the fifth minute sailed through the hands of goalkeeper James Nanor in post of Ashgold to corner but the kick was wasted.

Sensing danger, goalkeeper Nanor who tried to kill time in the early stages of the match was flashed the yellow card in the 13th minute for delay tactics.

In the 20th minute, Ashgold's Stephen Afful made also miss the chance whilst in the box after receiving a pass from Awuah. Kotoko's prolific goal-getter, Kwadwo Poku in the 22nd minute pounced on a loose ball and raced with it beating two defenders but keeper Nanor came out strongly to push the ball to corner and again the resultant kick was wasted.

In the 28th minute, Kotoko however ensured they scored their first goal when Jordan Opoku back heeled George Asare's free kick into the net with keeper Nanor completely displaced in a goalmouth melee. Skipper Osei Kuffour hit the root of the post with a carpet shot in the 44th minute with Nanor again completely beaten with Stephen Afful missing a chance in the 45th minute to increase the tally when he fumbled with the ball in the box to end the half.

Ashgold brought on James Tagoe for Tony Kankam in the 46th minute but it was still Kotoko who were on top. In the 59th minute, Owusu Ansah's shot was parried to corner by goalkeeper Nii Baah as Ashgold continued to probe for the equalizer. Kotoko took control of the game but Osei Kuffour who was on target was fouled in the box in the 60th minute but referee Thomas Nanor of Accra ignored the appeals for penalty.

In the 67th minute Kwadwo Poku threatened to score but keeper Nanor came out boldly to save the situation. In the 71st minute, Kotoko brought on Stephen Oduro for Nii Adjei and his replacement brought a total transformation into the team and it came as no surprise when Kotoko made it two in the 73rd minute through Francis Akwaffo who was later replaced in the 76th minute by Ofosu Amoah.

Ashgold's Owusu Sefa was given the marching off orders in the 77th minute for rough play on Ofosu Amoah after he had earlier received the yellow card in the 73rd minute during a protest against Kotoko's second goal. Playing with a disadvantage, Ashgold made some incursions but the defence of Kotoko refused to bulge. Mark Sekyere of Kotoko was rated man of the match.