League Report of Sunday, 20 December 2009

Source: GNA

Hearts cut Olympics to size in League match

Accra, Dec. 20, GNA - Defending champions Accra Hearts of Oak maintained their winning ways in the ongoing premiership with a 2-0 victory over city rivals Great Olympics in their Week 10 clash on Sunday. First half goals from Tuah Khemix and Mahatma Otoo were enough to earn the Phobians their second successive victory in the Premier League and of course, their maiden local derby success this season.

With expectations high following the performance of the two sides in recent matches; it was Hearts who laughed the loudest as they made mockery of the dominance in possession by the hosts.

As early as the seventh minute, Olympics made clear their intentions but Hearts goalie Philemon McCarthy weathered the storm with a superlative response after Olympics' Ranal Bortey's shot deflected off Philip Boampong. Olympics as the hosts maintained their dominance in possession and McCarthy was on target to come to the Phobian's rescue on 21 minutes with another save of Bortey's lob, after Malik Akowuah had put the former through.

Two minutes on the Phobians set the stadium alive with the opener through Khemix who slammed home from perfect pass laid by Obed Ansah from an ensuing cross from Tetteh Nortey.

Five minutes later, the entire stadium was engulfed in trepidation as Ansah lied motionless on the turf from an aerial challenge with Olympics midfielder Bilal Mohammed.

The game was held up for nearly six minutes before Ansah, who was reported to have broken his wrist was conveyed into an Ambulance and to the "37" Military Hospital for an urgent attention. It was the second casualty for the Phobians after Esme Mends limped off on 20 minutes to be replaced by Theophilus Apoh, whilst Eric Gawu stepped in for Ansah.

On the stroke of half time, Otoo authenticated the lead by connecting beautifully from Khemix's effort that left the Olympics defence and goalie Benjamen Mensah in post bemused and dumfounded for conceding the goal. Olympics had the better of the exchanges during the second half but the likes of James Abban and substitute Kassim Suleiman messed opportunities easier to score than miss.

Abban with the yawning net at his mercy blasted wide on 52 minutes whilst Kassim shot loosely into the waiting hands of McCarthy from a rebound to send his side home the vanquished side.