Talismatic Taylor powers Hearts to beat Satellites

Accra, Sept 20, GNA - Mercurial midfielder Charles Taylor proved his status as one of the deadliest players ever to grace the local scene when he powered Hearts of Oak to a lone goal victory over the Satellites in a friendly encounter at the El-Wak Stadium on Sunday.

Taylor, a three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) on the local scene, showed some minor glimpses of his old self but succeeded in netting the only goal of the match four minutes from time with a spectacular drive just after off from the centre field that beat Satellites goalie Joseph Addo.

For once, Hearts fans who had been on the quiet following the team's under par performance last season had a just cause to celebrate. It was the first time most of the die hard fans of the Phobians were having a visual glimpse of the team since Serbian trainer, Kosta Papic took over and the output was enough to convince the large following that he could be their saviour.

Parading an entirely new team with Captain Kwabena Boafo, Dan Coleman, Kofi Abanga, Obed Ansah, Kofi Bekoe and Samuel Afum as the old members in the starting line up, the "Phobians" matched the Satellites squarely in all departments though the national side appeared more composed.

The closely contested game was dominated by midfield action but Hearts were the first to come close after just ten minutes with Eric Gawu's shot being saved by Satellites goalie Addo. The Satellites quickly responded positively three minutes on but Agyemang Badu's shot from a free-kick was nicely dealt with by Hearts goalie Joshua Akrafie, who was roped in from Tema Real Sportive. Both teams effected several changes in the second half but it was the Phobians, who laughed last as Taylor slammed home from a free-kick after substitute Raphael Obeng had been fouled by Aziz Allotey. Until the stalemate was broken, it was the Satellites who were on top but their attackers were wasteful in front of goal. The game was to afford the Satellites the opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the next weekend's final round first leg qualifier of the African Youth Championship against Gambia, while Hearts test their readiness for the next soccer season.