Hearts for MTN FA Cup semis

 The hopes of Division One side, Tamale Utrecht qualifying for the next stage of the MTN FA Cup were dashed when they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Accra Hearts of Oak at the Tema Stadium yesterday.

Three first half goals from  Emmanuel Hayford,  Eric Kumi and Gerald Odupong in the 10th, 42nd and 44th minutes respectively landed Hearts in the semi-finals of the competition.

 The visitors started the game full of determination but lack of concentration upfront proved costly for them as they wasted begging chances, especially in the second half when they managed to create a number of goal scoring opportunities.

After holding the visitors in the early part of the game, the experience of Hearts in such encounters started paying dividends when a beautiful  combination between Eric Kumi and Emmanuel Hayford saw the latter deep in the box  and delivered a low grounder which beat goalkeeper Kwesi Abban for the opener. Tamale Utrecht  fought gallantly with the view of coming at par but it was Hearts who increased the tally in the 42nd minute through  Eric Kumi whose shot  in the box hit  the side post before entering the net with the keeper completely stranded.

Two minutes later midfielder Gerald Odupong made victory a certainty when his beautiful header in the box beat Abban.

Tamale Utrecht returned in the second half more energised and created a number of chances but Michael Japah, Mohammed Fatawu and substitute Mohammed Naeem wasted them.

Hearts also had an opportunity to increase the tally in the 88th minute but goalkeeper Kwesi Abban came to the rescue of his side by saving Foovi Aguidi’s  shot.