At the Dansoman Carl Reindorf Park, Accra, an improved second half display ensured visiting Obuasi Ashantigold beat Zaytuna United 2-1 in the seventh week clash of the Onetouch Premier League.
A goal each from defensive midfielder Mubarak Wakaso and striker Sumaila Nyanya was enough to secure the Miners their first away victory of the season despite George Ankamah reducing the deficit later in the game.
The game began on a high note but inconsistency decisions by Class One referee, S.B. Bortey saw the tempo metamorphosed into a physical battle with Zaytuna leading the pace.
Ashgold were the first to settle but their preliminary attacks were dealt with by the Zaytuna defence which revolved around Solomon Samuel, Emmanuel Eyison, Shadrack Kyei and Osei Bonsu. The visitors, who enjoyed slight dominance over their hosts during the first session, came closest to breaking the deadlock twice in the 26th and 43rd minutes but Osei Kofi and Nyanya respectively saw their efforts missing target narrowly.
The introduction of diminutive striker Shaibu Yakubu in the second half brought more bite into the Ashgold attacking frontline who kept the defense of Zaytuna boiling with consistent raids. Their efforts yielded results in the 57th minute when Wakaso broke the deadlock with a long drive from a Shaibu pass which beat the confident-filled goalkeeper of Zaytuna, Tetteh Lugard. Nyanya doubled the lead 17 minutes later from a goalmouth action when keeper Lugard failed to make a first time grab of a Wakaso free-kick to make Nyanya to connect home the rebound amidst a fleet of Zaytuna defenders.
Zaytuna raised their play and managed to reduce the goal tally when they succeeded in pulling one back in the 72nd minute through George Ankamah who beautifully placed the ball beyond the reach of Ashgold's goalie, Fatau Dauda after Afranie Yeboah had eased past three defenders to lay a neat pass.
Zaytuna fought on and nearly drew even but substitute Frank Boateng's half volley from Eyison's cross from the left flank went wide. With just a minute left, the homesters had their hopes of an equalizer diminished after referee Bortey ignored a handball incident by Ashgold's Jonathan Mensah in the penalty area to the dismay of the Zaytuna fans.
