Hearts of Oak's player maker, Charles Taylor, scored a hat-trick as the defending League champions thumped Suhum Maxbees 5-0 in their ninth week match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The match, however, took a dramatic turn in the 90th minute when Maxbees' stalwart defender Emmanuel Osei hit the ball against the abdomen of first assistant referee E.T. Allotey in what appeared to be a deliberation act. The assistant reefer could not continue with officiating and his place had to taken by fourth referee Vivien Aggor.
The middleman Muller Gyansah had no option than to give the matching orders to Osei who weakened the numerical strength of his side by two, after an earlier red card to Anthony Appiah. The league match itself was scrappy especially during the initial stages as the two teams struggled to find their rhythm. Lone striker of Maxbees, Mumuni Masawudu, came close to registering the opener for his side but he over elaborated and fumbled before Hearts goalie Eben Dida in the sixth minute.
After a string of near misses by Hearts including a 38th minute bicycle kick by Charles Allotey, which was scooped off the goal line, Sarpong opened the floodgates two minutes later. Referee Gyansah ignored an obvious penalty for the visitors in the 41st minute and as the players were murmuring, Hearts took a fast break, which Sarpong finished off with a beautiful deceptive volley from the edge of the "box" to beat goalkeeper Alex Ansah.
In a similar fashion, Taylor latched unto a loose ball after the referee had ignored an infringement in favour of Maxbees to slot in the ball in 54th minute. Those two goals coupled with a 59th minute red card shown to Anthony Appiah for retaliating against Taylor after the two had crashed in a tussle aided Hearts to add three more goals.
Taylor scored his personal second and third for his club after capitalising on a miss-kick by veteran Ben Adjei who had just come on for Maxbees barely a minute earlier and fired into the far right corner in the 66th minute. As if that was not enough, the skilful mid fielder scored his third in the 81st minute when he beautifully finished off from substitute Osumanu Amadu's header, which took a ricochet of the upright.
Adjah Tetteh completed the demolishing in the 90th minute with a long drive. Hearts maintain their 100 per cent record in the league and top the pack on 27 points. The match was heralded by a practice game between a team "B" side of Hearts against former players of the team who now ply their trade in Europe. George Cobblah of Romania netted the only goal for the foreign-based players.
Kotoko in hard win
THE Porcupine Warriors, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, kept the pressure on thier arch rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak, when they beat the Asase Aban boys, Okwawu United, 1-0 in their premier league match played at the Kumasi Stadium yesterday.
The lone goal was scored by midfield dynamo, Stephen Oduro, in the 74th minute from a 20-metre volley, just outside the box.
Prior to that goal, Kotoko had mounted incessant pressure on Okwawu United when they resumed the second half but found the Okwawu defence impregnable to break through.
Okwawu United who came into the game full of determination to dent the home invicibility of Kumasi Asante Kotoko for the second time gave Kotoko a hectic time in the with good defensive work, effective ball control and fast breaks, making the Kotoko defenders that revolved around Joe Hendricks, Dan Acquah, Aziz Ansah and Kwaku Duah work overtime.
They, however, resorted to rough play, forcing the referee to send off Oumah Yakubu in the 38th minute for a second bookable offence and George Tutu in the 90th minute for striking Aziz Ansah.
A second half onslaught by Kotoko that was crowned with Stephen Oduro?s goal made the difference.
Bofoakwa, Olympics share honours
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo Region) 28 May 2002 - Visiting Accra Great Olympics played one of their best games in recent time to hold Bofoakwa Tano 1-1 in their match played at the Coronation Park. Both goals were scored in the first half.
Olympics, who have not been of themselves since the beginning of this year's league season, crumbling to a heavy 0-3 defeat to Kumasi Asante Kotoko in Accra recently however met homesters, Bofoakwa, boot for boot in their encounter.
With John Cudjoe, Winfred Dormon, Kofi Aperto, Andrews Pomeyie, Amui Quaye and raster-haired Eshun David forming the attacking line, the defence of Bofoakwa had a tough time containing the Olympics boys. Bofoakwa Tano who were seeing their substantive chairman, Ebo Mends for the first time since the beginning of the season at the Coronation Park due to a business trip overseas, went all out to justify their retention in the competition to the chairman.
Their supporters cheered wildly as soon as chairman Mends came out of his car and started walking towards the VIP stand.
The good news was simultaneously communicated to the players when the game was only two minutes old and this spurred them on into action. But that was nothing to disturb the "Dade" boys as in the fifth minute they nearly had the opening goal, but an attacker shot wide at a close-range.
Bofoakwa came into the picture and nearly welcomed their chairman with an early goal in the 10th minute, but Kwaku Duah's 35-yarder shot went over the bar. Olympics whose fast and immaculate passes were a delight to watch finally hit the back of the net through a beautiful goal scored by Quaye Amui in the 13th minute.
But, like wounded tigers, Abdulai Tabiru, Emmanuel Kyeremanteng, Kojo Opoku, Kwaku Duah and Pasco Amponsah constituting the attacking machinery for Bofoakwa accepted the challenge and bombarded Olympics? rearmen, hoping for the equalizer. Their efforts were rewarded in the 15th minute when Kojo Opoku beat goalkeeper Theodore to equalise for Bofoakwa.
After the break, Bofoakwa brought in Baba Sule, Anthony Mintah and Abu Issah for Owusu-Sarpong, Kojo Opoku and Captain Abeiku Sikins but this did not make any meaningful impact till the end of the injury-stricken match.
Goldfields in goal harvest
OBUASI Goldfields yesterday overcame their recent draws and a defeat at the hands of Arsenals to maul visiting Sekondi Hasaacas 5-1 in their ninth league pairing at the Len Clay Stadium.
From kick -off, the Miners left no stone unturned and opened the scores in the second minute via Frank Awuah?s header.
Good-old Yaw Owusu floated the ball from the far right into the visitors vital area for Awuah to soar above the Hasmal defenders to nod home the opener. It was a superb work which merited the result.
Hasaacas took up the challenge and equalised in the 20th minute. Hard working Ebo Mensah sent a weak shot which surprisingly sailed through the out-stretched arms of keeper Edmund Attah in posts for Goldfields. Goldfields doubled their efforts in defence, midfield and attacked in droves to give the visitors no breathing space. It was little wonder, then when in the 25th minute, Asare Boateng?s long drive beat the Hasaacas keeper.
Nine minutes after the goal, defender Solo Laryeh increased the scoreline to 3-1 for Goldfields to end the firs half.
Ofosu ?Tico? Amoah, added his name on the score-scheet with a 50th minute header to beat Mensah who was later substituted for Seth Tabiri.
Trailing 1-4, Hasmal still looked determined and played well but substitute Aminu Musah?s 87th minute goal broke their resolve, thus enabling Goldfields to record their heaviest victory since the start of the league.
Power win at home
POWER FC called off the bluff of Dawu Youngsters and deepened their woes by defeating the Mountaineers 2-0 in an uncompromising premier league match played at the Koforidua Stadium yesterday.
Right from the commencement of the game Power took the ball right to the door steps of the visitors and succeeded in finding the net in the third minute through Awal Mohammed whose 20-metre shot beat Ismalia Adala in post for Dawu.
Power, under the tutelage of coaches James Misadzi and good old Kuuku Dadzie, dominated play and treated the spectators to some neat touches of football but missed some chances to increase the tally.
Dawu then got their passes together with some dangerous attacks but Saani Mohammed in post for Power stood between them and the equaliser, with Kwame Amadu giving away a clear opportunity in the 44th minute to end the first half.
Power were able to soak the pressure till the 71st minute when Raja Nurundeen capitalised on a defensive mishap, went past his marksman with ease and laid a carpet pass for Sefa Boateng to increase his side?s lead to two.
Hearts 5 Maxbee 0 (Charles Taylor 3, Sarpong, Adjah Tetteh)
Kotoko 1 Okwawu 0 (Stephen Oduro)
G'field 5 Hasaacas 1
Bofwakwa 1 Olympics 1
Mine Stars ? Arsenals ?
RTU ? King Faisal ?
Power FC 2 Dawu 0
Liberty 1 Okwawu 0 (Panstil)
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