Hearts whitewash Bofoakwa

Champion club Accra Hearts of Oak whitewashed visiting Tano Bofoakwa 6-1 in the last match of the league stage in the maiden GHALCA Top Four league, setting a stage for the grand finale with Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals on March 6, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Wednesday's win by Hearts on a soggy pitch after a brief but heavy down pour minutes before kick-off, helped them to maintain the top spot on seven points, same as Liberty who won 3-2 away against Obuasi Goldfields but conceded the leadership to Hearts with an inferior goal aggregate, while Bofoakwa was stuck to the bottom with no point. Goldfields placed third with three points.

Within 14 minutes, Hearts had registered two goals, courtesy winger Don Bortey and last season's Most Valuable Player, Charles Taylor. Bortey fired through a host of legs in a melee after goalkeeper James Dabuo had failed to make a first time save in the eighth minute while Taylor capitalised on a poor back header by defender Kennedy Akorli, side stepped the goalie and shot into an empty net.

But for Hearts' goalie, James Nanor's who pulled two dramatic saves in the 18th and 24th minutes from Kojo Poku and Baffour Gyimah, Bofoakwa would have drawn level and even go ahead. Taylor however hit his personal second and Hearts’ third in the 40th minute. He finished off a free kick after he had been brought down on the edge of the "18" by defender Abeiku Aikins who was eventually sent off by Koforidua-based class one referee J.M. Atikesse for an off the ball incident.

Just as Hearts were pressing to increase the tally, substitute Kofi Aseidu pulled one back for Bofoakwa with a beautiful low grounder in the 56th minute. Ironically, that goal brought out the best in Hearts who banged in three more before the final whistle. Laryea Kingston in the 75th, substitute Awuley Quaye Jnr. (80) and Bortey four minutes later ensured the annihilation of Bofoakwa.