A 19th minute spot kick goal converted by Alhassan Weah was enough to earn Real Tamale United (RTU) the maximum three points and second home win in their third week Onetouch Premier League match against visiting Tema Real Sportive at the Kaladan Park.
Supporters of RTU and spectators sat on tender hooks right from the commencement of the referee's whistle till the end of the match as the home side failed to impress their dedicated fans at the Kaladan Park. It was Sportive who took initial control of the game by dictating the pace of proceedings but as the game progressed, RTU gradually warmed themselves to find their rhythm.
Weah, who has always remained RTU's 'pillar of hope' with his strength, ball control and scoring ability, made several attempts for goals but Sportive's goal keeper Ben Tieku was always alert to save his side from imminent defeat.
In the 18th minute, RTU had a glorious opportunity to score but keeper Tieku intentionally pulled down Kwame A. Asare in the full glare of the referee who whistled for a spot kick, which Weah perfectly slotted home to register the only goal of the match.
The goal gingered up the RTU players and they went yearning for more goals but that never came their way before Class One referee Wonder Dakudzi from Ho to bring the first half to an end. From the recess, Sportive came back with more energy and more determined than RTU to get a goal while RTU solidly defended their lone goal.
From the 60th minute, the visitors resorted to rough tackles but the referee ignored the faults and that nearly marred the beauty of the game while every whistle was against RTU to the annoyance of the home fans.
The two teams effected changes to strengthen their striking force in search of goals which proved futile until Sportive nearly equalised in the 90th minute but Jonathan Ghansah failed to put the ball into an empty net after RTU's goalie Najawu Issah was displaced but the unmarked striker shot the ball over the bar to the relieve of the home fans before the referee brought the proceedings to an end.
