Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - Accra Hearts of Oak crushed visiting Kpando Heart of Lions 2-0 in the first match of the second round of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) Top Four Tournament at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra on Sunday.
Hearts has by the win jumped to the top of the table with eight points, placing them in a pole position to win the competition with two home matches at hand.
The Phobians who dominated play right from the blast of the whistle, but squandering a number of scoring chances in the first half, however, had to wait till the second half of the game before fetching the two beautiful and eye catching goals to crown the day on a bright note and send a ray of hope to their teeming supporters.
It was game Hearts could have sealed victory by the close of the first half, but the likes of Osei Pele, John Antwi and Abdul Bashiru were not effective enough to convert the chances that came their way with the defence propelled by Osei Bonsu and Saeed Mohammed and Sammy Adjei in goal ably holding their own at the rear.
Even though Lions lifted up their game in the first quarter of the second half, Gilbert Fiamenyo was gifted with a chance to take the lead but allowed Sammy Adjei to save the situation in the 54th minute, whilst Gladson Awako's pile drive saw the best out of Adjei in the 57th minute to the applause of the fans while, Hearts regained their authority on the game after the scare.
Hearts responded to the challenge with the introduction of Uriah Asante and Yufa Zugah for Kofi Asamoah and Bobbie Ansah and it marked the turning point for the Phobians who begun to string their passes together.
With Zugah well placed in midfield, he set up John Antwi who raced into the Lions area and delivered a perfect pass on the path of Pele to cheekily score the first goal in the 66th minute.
Hearts held on to the lead and thwarted the efforts of Lions in fetching the equalizer as Osei Bonsu was on hand to put the brakes on bulky and deadly striker Fiamenyo, to merit the Player of the Match Award.
The Phobians increased their goal tally in the 85th minute through a spectacular build up which saw Abdul Bashiru sending on a ball to substitute Asante who wasted no time in delivering a powerful non-drop shot that easily beat Richard Addo in post for Lions to give the player a standing ovation from the fans.
The two goals seem to have sealed victory for the Phobians in the competition.
