Hearts win at last! - Ashgold replay Kotoko today
Thomas Abbey yesterday inspired Accra Hearts of Oak to end their winless run of the Premier League when he scored a late goal to secure the team’s first victory of the season with a deserved 2-1 victory over Wa All Stars at the Accra Stadium.
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A powerful header by the Hearts captain in the 85th minute saved the Phobians from another disappointing result as the defending league champions had cancelled out a first half lead and were bent on deepening the home side’s frustrations.
It was an important goal that got the home fans roaring in excitement, as well as move Scottish coach Frank Nuttall’s side to the third spot on the league log.
On a weekend that Aduana Stars maintained their top position after holding WAFA 1-1 at Sogakope, debutants Elmina Sharks claimed their first win of the season with a 1-0 home victory against Tema Youth just as Bolga All Stars also earned their first win of the competition (1-0) over Accra Great Olympics.
However, yesterday’s top fixture between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and AshantiGold was called off due to torrential rain at the Len Clay Stadium.
The game stood at 1-1 when the officials decided ahead of the start of the second half to postpone the game to today.
Yakubu Mohammed gave the Porcupine Warriors the lead in the 14th minute before Joshua Addai scored the equaliser from close range three minutes later.
In fact, heavy rainfall delayed the start of the Hearts-All Stars match by 30 minutes but that did not deter Hearts players from fighting for their first win despite the slippery nature of the field.
It took the Phobians 35 minutes to open the floodgates when defender Anthony Nimo’s long ball from his half found Alexandre Kouassi, who punished All Stars defender Nana Addai for failing to clear the ball. The Togolese attacker pounced on the ball and released a powerful shot beyond the reach of advancing goalkeeper Rashid Seidu.
In a fast, end-to-end game, Hearts were relentless and pressed their bogey side (who beat them 3-1 last season) in a bid to increase the tally but attacking midfielder Patrick Razak lacked the finishing power and the cutting edge as the Phobians hanged onto their slim lead.
The Wa lads relied on fast breaks along the flanks in a bid to split open the Hearts defence, but against the run of play in the 82nd minute, the visiting side cancelled the lead through Richard Arthur.
Winger Seth Amoateng embarked on a solo run from the left and released a low drive across the front of goal which surprisingly slipped through the fingers of Hearts goalie Benjamin Mensah to find Arthur who poked in the equaliser.
The Phobians took up the challenge and probed for the winner until their efforts paid off when Kouassi’s long float from the right met Abbey who headed home.
• At the Carl Reindorf Park at Dansoman, it rained goals just when the early rains subsided as Liberty Professions defeated Medeama SC 3-2 in a five-goal thriller which took the Scientific Soccer lads to the fourth position on the log.