Aduana take early lead - Kotoko 2nd, Hearts 9th
Aduana Stars took an early lead in the Ghana Premier League after defeating Elmina Sharks 1-0 to maintain a 100 per cent record in the competition, even though yesterday’s victory did not come without controversy.
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Debutants Sharks were livid at what they felt was a raw deal handed them by Referee J.A. Amenya at the Nduom Sports Complex at Elmina, after Godfred Saka’s free-kick rattled the underside of the Sharks crossbar but appeared not to have crossed the goal-line.
Sharks players protested in vain as the referee stuck to his guns, with the Dormaa-Ahenkro lads running away with their second straight victory after their opening day win over AshantiGold at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park last week.
Breathing heavily behind Aduana in second place with four points are Kumasi Asante Kotoko who held Berekum Chelsea to a scoreless draw at the Golden City Park, with Medeama SC (four points) in third place after picking a vital point in Accra following a scoreless draw with Accra Hearts of Oak.
Ashgold were the biggest winners of the second week after defeating Accra Great Olympics 3-1 at the Len Clay Stadium last Saturday with Hans Kwofie scoring a hat-trick — the first of the season — to lift the ‘Miners’ to the fourth position.
What was expected to be the pick of the weekend’s round matches failed to live up to the hype as Hearts of Oak and visiting Tarkwa-based Medeama FC played to a drab goalless draw at the Accra Stadium, reports George Ernest Asare.
Star attraction, Malik Akowuah, was expected to make a difference for the Phobians as he faced his former club after a controversial transfer but the midfielder who was closely marked became the lone ranger in the game, leaving fans asking questions about the quality of players of the two teams.
Poor passes and erratic shooting at goal characterised the game for the greater part of the exchanges as the two opposing goalkeepers Ofori Antwi of Medeama and Bernard Mensah of Hearts were virtually on holiday.
In a game that left fans with very little to choose between the two sides, Medeama’s Kwesi Donsu had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring for his side, after he intercepted a pass at the edge of the box but his shot at goal deflected off the post with only goalkeeper Mensah at his mercy.
Five minutes later, Medeama’s Ibrahim Yaro, also wasted another opportunity to punish Hearts, leaving the spectators unamused.
The stadium was, however, electrified when midway through the first half, Akowuah exhibited his trademark long shot outside the box which was expertly saved by Antwi.
• At the Carl Reindorf Park, Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals put up a gutsy late show to silence visiting Inter Allies 2-0 for their first win of the season, reports Kwame Larweh.
Substitute striker Bernard Authur and Gerald Arkson scored to hand Liberty the crucial home win, both making good assists from Michael Ampadu.
Arthur shot the home side ahead in the 83rd minute through a fine header after a brilliant cross from winger Ampadu and two minutes later Liberty secured victory as Ampadu again crossed the ball to an advancing Gerald Arkson to fire home a volley from the edge of the box.