Liberty tame Heart of Lions

Accra, April 24, GNA - Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals maintained their recent fine form by beating visiting Kpando Heart of Lions 2-1 in their Week 25 Glo Premier League encounter at the Carl Riendorf Park on Sunday.

An inspired second half performance by the hosts ensured them their fourth successive victory whilst the visitors returned to their base empty handed.

Liberty was the better side from the onset but made few attempts at goal. Midfielder Isaac Donkor tested the Lions defence with a long drive that missed target by inches in the opening minutes of the match.

The visitors struggled in search of their feet as on some occasions chased the shadows of their hosts to be in contention. Liberty's returnee midfielder, Michael Helegbe was gifted with a fine opportunity but shot at the side net after tearing apart the Lions defence, whilst an indirect free-kick in the visitors' penalty area was also wasted.

The introduction of Ivorian-import Kevin Kouakou for Guinean Sylla Musa in the second half, however, made the difference for Liberty as the substitute's surging runs brought pressure to bear on the Lions rear of Emmanuel Anarfi, Emmanuel Ayison, Badu Asiamah and Godfred Rockson.

Twenty-nine seconds i nto the second half, Awudu Abubakar scored the opener with a deceptive shot that beat Lions goalie Joseph Addo, who was off his line.

On the hour mark, right-back Yusif Ayoma doubled the lead with a thunderbolt shot that left keeper Addo hapless from an ensuing counter attack.

Trailing by two goals, Lions lifted up their game with midfielder Sheriff Danladi leading raids into the Liberty half and in the 74th minute, he reduced the deficit with a spectacular bicycle kick from a move involving substitute Gilbert Fiamenyo, Daniel Bonsu and Godfred Asante.

The game remained a balanced affair but it was the Lions goalkeeper who came to the rescue of his side from conceding the third goal with a fine save of Kouakou's thunderous shot in the closing stages of the game.