Hearts beats Liberty

Accra, Jan. 6, GNA - Defending League champions Accra Hearts of Oak recorded a successive win at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra under stand in coach Abubakari Yussif when they pipped city rivals Dansoman Liberty Professionals 1-0 in their 14th Week Glo Premier League Match. Hearts after trouncing Berekum Arsenals 3-0 at the same venue last Sunday recorded a lone goal victory over city rivals Liberty Professionals in a fiercely contested game.

Each of the sides battled for supremacy in all departments of the game, but much of the action was limited to the midfield with no clear cut scoring chances. The trend lasted for almost 25 minutes after which Hearts took greater dominance of the game as they initiated swift attacking moves with Mahatma Otoo, Samuel Affum and Eric Gawu making regular appearances in the Liberty defence following constant supplies from Esme Mends and Kofi Abanga from midfield.

The Liberty central defence pair of David Addo and Daniel Gyamfi, however, stood firm in the face of the threats. The closest chance on the day fell on the path of Affum when his header hit the crossbar in the 31st minute, whilst Gawu's solo move into the Liberty defence saw him blast of the opportunity six minutes later. Liberty took over proceedings for the last eight minutes of the first half with Richard Kissi missing target narrowly to deny his side the lead. The second half saw Otoo also presented with an opportunity to score but he was denied by keeper Patrick Antwi with the resultant corner kick wasted, whilst Liberty's Latif Salifu also came close to scoring only to mess up the chance all in the first five minutes of the half.

Hearts coach Yussif introduced Hamza Abdulai for Gawu with, Andrews Aryitey taking over from Affum, but it was Liberty who remained in the driving seat with Salifu's brilliant header ably saved by Hearts keeper Laud Quartey.

With each side battling for supremacy for almost 90 minutes it was clear the game was heading to a draw before Aryitey capitalised on a defensive blunder by Gyamfi to muscle his way through to place the ball behind an advancing keeper Antwi for the opener and only goal in the 70th minute. Hearts jealously guarded their slim lead for the rest of the 20 minutes and four minutes injury even though Liberty made several fruitless efforts to cancel the lead to no avail until the final whistle.