*By: Nana Poku Amankwah*
The midway point of Ghana's novel Beach Soccer league provided some exciting games at the La Beach Soccer Arena in Accra.
Big upsets and surprises added to the thrills and gritty intensity displayed by the teams which has been the pattern from week 1 to 9.
In the Championship League sponsored by Cal Bank, the incredible 26 matches unbeaten record of defending Champions Keta Sunset was halted.
In one of the most tightly contested beach soccer league matches ever witnessed at the Arena the in-form Ada Assurance lead by coach Maxwell Kpeglo battled for every ball and outscored their opponents to clinch a dramatic 4-3 win and by so doing climbing to the top of the league table.
Ada Assurance fell behind to an Awutey Senyo goal in the third minute but recovered to level through Billy Kissieh, only for Sunset to regain their lead three minutes later through Kumedzro Gilbert. The end to end action continued as Sappor Divine pulled the goal back for the very determined Ada team.
The game's decisive moments came when last season’s second highest scorer, Joseph Lawerh shot Ada into the lead with two strikes in the final quarter. Sunset Sports grabbed a late goal to reduce the deficit but it was too too late as the final whistle blew for the end of the engrossing encounter.
The defeat for one Keta team seemed to have sparked another into super gear mode as Havedji Mighty Warriors handed city boys East Legon Sharks a crushing 16-2 defeat. Marksman Nyadedor Freeman's five goals along with Torsu Alfred's 4, a brace each from Jerry Eglu and Charles Tagbor and two more strikes from Delicious Kwawu killed off the hapless Sharks. Captain Innocent Kumensah sealed the victory for the Havedji who currently lie third with a personal goal.
In other games, Nungua United posted a Surprise 5-4 win defeat over the out of sorts Tegbi Youth . Struggling Wuo Gb33, despite their impressive start to the season seem to be on a steep decline as they lost 3-2 to Dansoman. The win for Dansoman eased them clear of the relegation zone. Another side that appears to have lost their way in the Championship is Layoca as they continue to succumb to defeat after defeat with the latest being a 3-1 reversal by debutants Teshie United who have now worked their way to mid table.
In Division One, League leaders Gulf Powers maintained a tight grip at the top despite losing 2-4 to African Angels. African Angels put their noses in front in the hotly contested game ,courtesy George Adu's brace and though Gulf Powers responded through Benjamin Adjetey's brace, goals from Richard Odai-Williams and Francis Botchway were enough to ensure African Angels took all the spoils.
In other games Nima, Tema United and Cape Coast Warriors handed respective 3-0 defeats to Senya Sharks, Chorkor Blue Whales and Osu Dolphins respectively. The weekends final game saw Golden Eagles compound the misery of the relegation threatened Winneba Giants as they beat them 4-1.
The Giants proved to be no match for the Eagles who took an emphatic three nil lead courtesy a hat trick by Joseph Tornado early on in the game.
Faisal Hussein secured the points when he hammered home the fourth, the Giants only consolation was executed by Prince Afawuho wrapping the fixtures for match day 9.
The Ghana Beach Soccer league goes on a one week break to resume on Saturday 4th of May with a full line up of fixtures.
