Accra (Greater Accra), 28th June 99 --

A hat-trick by Yaw Sakyi enabled Accra Hearts of Oak to thrash Power FC 4-1 in their 17th week ABC premier league match, played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Sakyi, who has had a long lay-off due to a nagging knee injury, fired in the three goals in the 23rd, 37th and 48th minutes, while Dan Quaye scored the fourth goal in the 77th minute.

Charles Asamoh scored the consolation goal for the Koforidua-based club in the 52nd minute.

The Phobians showed glimpses of carrying the day right from the 14th minute, when Desmond Amoah sneaked through the Power defence. But with only goalkeeper Alfred Mills to beat, the Hearts midfielder shot wide.

The ball, however, went in the direction of Ishmael Addo, who was lurking on the right flank unmarked. But to the disappointment of the fans, he also blasted the ball off target in front of an empty net.

Hearts made up for their earlier misses when 23 minutes inside the half, Sakyi headed home a beautiful cross from Amoah. The Phobians improved on their game after the goal and found the net again 13 minutes later. Once again, Amoah was very instrumental, when he dribbled past the Power defenders and the goalkeeper before passing the ball to Sakyi to tap into the empty net.

In the 43rd minute, Sakyi nearly scored again through a solo effort, but after weaving through the Power defence, his final shot went against the side netting. He, however, got the third goal three minutes on resumption of the second half.

Addo capitalised on a defence blunder on the part of Power's Acquah Harrison and sent a pass to Sakyi, who shot to the blind side of goalkeeper Mills.

In the 52nd minute, Power, who had problems stringing their passes together for the entire first half, for once initiated a one-touch move from defence, and Asamoah, who had the final pass, made no mistake when he beat goalkeeper Eben Dida for the consolation goal.

The Koforidua lads brought on another striker, James Amarquaye, for Ato Sam in the 54th minute, but it was Hearts who came close again in the 62nd minute.

The golden opportunity once again fell to Sakyi, when goalkeeper Mills failed to grab first time, a cross from Winfred Dormon. But this time, Sakyi headed off target in front of an empty net.

Substitute Amarquaye of Power also had his chance to reduce the deficit for his side in the 75th minute, but over-elaboration on his part enabled goalkeeper Dida of Hearts to scoop the ball off his feet.

Two minutes later, Hearts' overlapping defender, Quaye, beat the offside trap and goalkeeper Mills to score the fourth goal.

Power came strongly into the game after the goal, but the Hearts defence proved unyielding, and the 4-1 score line remained intact till the final whistle.

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