Kotoko pip AshGold in Ashanti derby

Asante Kotoko maintained their home dominance over AshGold as they pip the Miners by a goal to nil at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on match day 24 of the First Capital Plus Bank Premier League on Sunday.

Frank Sarfo Gyamfi’s first half header was what Kotoko needed to end their three-game winless streak.

Asante Kotoko went into the game under a lot of pressure due to their recent results and they look much poised for action immediately the referee signal for the game to start, the Kumasi based club took the game to the Miners as they besieged the goal area of the away side.

However the defense of AshGold were up to the task of what Asante Kotoko threw at them, they kept the home side striking pair of Obed Owusu and Dauda Mohamed at bay.

AshGold in the game initiated their first attack as they created space at Kotoko back four but Emmanuel Osei fluffed his line as the Porcupine Warriors regrouped and mounted series of attack at the Obuasi based club, in those attacks in the 25th minute mark, Kwadwo Poku palmed off Fatau Dauda and the resulted corner kick was headed home by Sarfo Gyamfi.

A minute later Kotoko came close in getting their second half goal but Dauda Mohammed miscue strike went over the bar. The away side started to warm themselves in the game and they kept the heat on the home side searching for the equalizer.

In the 36th minute mark the cross bar came to the rescue of Asante Kotoko after Kadri Mohammed’s 30 yard strike failed to shake the net later on AshGold came close again but Ahmed Adams was at his best to save the situation for the home side.

With countless attack by the away side they failed to get the equalizer as the first half was brought to an end.

From the break, the Miners were on the throat of the Porcupine Warriors with series of attack; Eric Ofori Antwi in post for the home side was always alert as he prevented the league leaders that needed equalizer, AshGold was not lucky on the day as they hit the cross bar for the second time in the 62nd minute courtesy Francis Adjei’s powerful drive in the penalty box of Kotoko.

From the 70th minute mark it was end to end action as Kotoko bombarded AshGold with a lot of long balls and Lawrence Lartey in defense of the home side had a wonderful game as he curtailed most of the through passes which came from Kotoko midfield.

In the 75th and 77th minute mark, Fatau Dauda produced a superb save to keep AshGold in the game, Dauda Mohammed who was the brightest spot in Kotoko set up was on top of his game but he spurned most of the chances he had.

The tempo of the game went down and the Porcupine Warriors took control of the game searching for their second goal but Dauda Mohammed let his side down a again as he glanced his shot wide which Kotoko held on to win the game.